What is organic farming?

Organic farming is a technique, which involves cultivation of plants and rearing of animals in natural ways. This process involves the use of biological materials, avoiding synthetic substances to maintain soil fertility and ecological balance thereby minimizing pollution and wastage.

In other words, organic farming is a farming method that involves growing and nurturing crops without the use of synthetic based fertilizers and pesticides. Also, no genetically modified organisms are permitted.

The general principles of organic production

• Protect the environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, optimize biological productivity and promote a sound state of health.
• Maintain long-term soil fertility by optimizing conditions for biological activity within the soil
• Maintain biological diversity within the system
• Recycle materials and resources to the greatest extent possible within the enterprise
• Provide attentive care that promotes the health and meets the behavioural needs of livestock
• Prepare organic products, emphasizing careful processing, and handling methods in order to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the products at all stages of production
• Rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems

Benefits of organic farming - To the farmer

• Low Investment- It reduces the cost of agricultural production
• High Premium - Helps to earn good returns through Agriculture produce
• It helps in keeping agricultural production at a higher level and makes it sustainable.
• It not only saves energy for both animal and machine, but also reduces risk of crop failure
• Farmers can make the use of traditional knowledge.

Benefits of organic farming - To the Consumer

• Prevents Pre-mature aging
• Boosts the immune system
• Reduces risks of heart diseases
• Promotes animal welfare
• Reduces presence of pesticides
• Prevents cancer
• Ensures a safe and health world for future generations
• Tastes better than non-organic food

Benefits of organic farming - To the environment

• It discourages the use of synthetic based fertilizers and pesticides.
• It prevents erosion from occurring.
• It not only helps preserve natural habitat areas but also encourages birds and other natural predators to live happily on farmland, which assists in natural pest control.
• It maintains the quality of the soil.
• It fights with the effects of Global Warming by reducing the carbon dioxide and help slow climate change.
• It conserves water.

Challenges in organic farming

• Mainstream consumers have standards for quality that are difficult for organic growers to meet
• Profitability is low because food prices are low and land is expensive.
• Farming organically on an industrial scale is difficult - Many organic crops are grown in monocultures, like conventional crops, but use organically registered pesticides and fertilizers. It is common for organic growers to spray pesticides even more frequently than their conventional counterparts to keep up with insect and disease pressure. Organic methods are much more effective on a small scale than on the industrial level.
• There are many conflicting ideas of what organic means - Many consumers buy organic because it seems like the ethical choice. But how can big businesses grow organically, and be any better than the produce grown locally.
• Many small farmers don't justify the expense for organic certification. Some use methods that are very well suited for their production and environment, but still don't qualify for the organic label.