What is Organic Farming? There are few producers who can meet the organic farming requirements. It initially yields less than industrial agriculture, but the quality of products and prices, as well as the ability to market and export well, more than compensate for this apparent shortcoming. But first, let’s define organic farming in this article, which will cover much more than just the definition.
Organic farming (organic agriculture) is defined as a special system of sustainable agriculture and forestry management that includes the cultivation of plants and animals, the production of food, raw materials, natural fibres, and the processing of primary products. It encompasses all ecological, agricultural, and socially justifiable production and technological methods, interventions, and maintenance, the best use of soil fertility and available water, the natural properties of plants, animals, and landscapes, increasing plant yield and resistance through the application of natural forces and laws, and prescribing the use of fertilisers, plant protection products, and animals.
What is Organic Farming?
Organic farming is competitive and income-friendly due to lower production costs and higher product sales values. Organic farming is consistent with the concept of sustainable development, as a comprehensive set of measures aimed at environmentally friendly, economically viable, ethically acceptable, and socially equitable agricultural production, and enables the formation of a significant new area in the agricultural economy with the prospect of reorienting existing economies in ecological and profitable terms, particularly suitable for specialised family farms. It also opens up opportunities for foreign sales through tourism and exports, increased employment in agriculture, processing, and sales, and better agricultural land utilisation.
Organic products are made from natural raw materials and do not contain any artificial additives. Demand for eco-friendly products exceeds supply because the quality and taste far exceed that of industrial products, and the end consumer is willing to pay significantly more.
An actual organic product is labelled as “organic,” which is a unique prescribed designation of products produced in accordance with the Act and the regulations made thereunder. The primary goal of organic production is to protect human health and life, nature and the environment, and consumers. The constant understanding of natural processes seeks to preserve nature, particularly from chemical preparations, heavy metals, and genetically modified organisms, as well as other principles described in laws and regulations, all for the sake of preserving natural resources and balance.
What Exactly is Organic Farming? The Definition and History of the Term
Lord Northbourne coined the term “organic farming” in his book “A Look at the Land” (1940), based on his concept of considering a farm as an organism, to describe a holistic, environmentally balanced approach to agricultural production, in contrast to what he called “chemical agriculture” (referring to artificial fertility and not an organic entity). This is distinct from the scientific definition of “organic,” which refers to the type of carbon-containing molecules.
Organic Farming Methods
Organic processed foods typically contain only organic ingredients. In the presence of non-organic ingredients, at least a certain percentage of the total plant or animal ingredients must be organic (e.g., 95% in the US, Canada, and Australia). Non-organic ingredients must meet the relevant standards. Organic foods must not contain artificial nutritional additives and are frequently produced using as few artificial procedures and conditions as possible (eg radiation, genetic modification). Pesticides are permitted unless they are synthetic.
The first organic food consumers sought non-pesticide foods that were fresh and minimally processed. As the demand for organic food grew, largely organic food deliveries took the place of direct purchases from growers. Today, there is no limit to the size of the farm where organic food is grown, so many large farms have organic food departments. Because it is difficult to distinguish such foods on the market, product labelling as “certified organic” has been introduced.
1. Organic Farming Systems That Are Integrated
Pure organic farmers do not want to use much, if any, technology in their operations. This is in contrast to integrated organic farming systems, which employ all available technology to make life easier and produce more food.
However, they do not contain large amounts of chemicals, pesticides, or similar substances. Still following organic guidelines.
2. Farming that is completely organic
Using only organic methods, such as biopesticides and organic manures It makes no use of chemicals or inorganic pesticides. It is definitely more difficult because of those factors, but it is pure, and if you sell it, food is significantly more expensive.
3. Organic Farming Integrated
It employs integrated pest and nutrient management, but crops are still grown using natural resources. You can grow more crops and have a much easier job while still eating or selling real, organic food.
The Importance of Organic Agriculture:
Unfortunately, there is currently only about 1% of organic farming in the world. That is, as you might expect, a very small number. That is a significant issue that we must all work to resolve. If not for better food, then for the sake of saving our land and our planet.
Organic farming has numerous advantages, including the preservation of the organic composition of the soil. Furthermore, pesticides are constantly destroying Ozone, as are leakage emissions from various tractors, industries, and other sources, which organic farming largely avoids.
Organic farmers practise the following methods:
- They preserve and improve soil fertility and structure, as well as biodiversity and erosion control. They accomplish this by producing organic fertiliser from dead plants and other organic waste.
- They reduce the risk of toxic effects on humans, animals, and the environment from pesticides, fertilisers, and other chemicals.
- They tailor their farming methods to the local environment and market demands.
Organic Farming’s Advantages and Benefits:
There is a lot to be said about the differences between organic and conventional agriculture. There are undoubtedly numerous books and articles on the subject. What growers and consumers are most interested in is the safe and abundant production of food to feed their families and themselves.
Is there a way to make food production productive while also being environmentally friendly? This is a question we must ask ourselves if we are to be profitable agricultural growers who care about the environment. Without a doubt, conventional agricultural production in the twentieth century ensured the production of large quantities of food as growers began to use motorised equipment, and chemical fertilisers. However, in our desire to produce a large amount of food, we were unaware that there was a cost to our efforts, which was a decrease in soil quality.
Investing in an organic farm is beneficial for a variety of reasons, including improved nutritional value and taste, as well as environmental protection. People nowadays consume processed foods that do not provide the body with the necessary nutritional, energy, and health standards to ensure its health. We are all aware that food processing is the leading cause of the rise in the incidence of various diseases, and we have no idea how many harmful particles we are introducing into our bodies. The only way to avoid consuming these substances is to encourage increased investment in eco-food production in all countries around the world.
Organic Products Benefit Soil Health
In contrast, organic agriculture prioritises soil quality because only healthy soil can produce highly nutritious fruits and vegetables for human consumption. Using natural or as natural as possible ingredients is one way growers can maintain soil health. Farmers, for example, used to put small fish in the soil to provide fertiliser for the seed.
This intriguing method of growing corn and cereals used by our forefathers is not very practical for modern agricultural production. Today, we can use hydrolyzed fish fertiliser instead. Liquid fish fertiliser is suitable for both soil and foliar applications and can be applied to all types of crops to provide essential nutrients to plants. Humic and fulvic acids are organic matter components found in all healthy soils. These two ingredients, along with other organic acids, are critical for plant tissue. Rich, humus-rich soils are alive with trillions of microorganisms and other organisms. They contribute to the preservation of soil quality and the natural cycle of soil microbial change.
Useful, easily Accessible, and simple to use
Today’s agricultural soils are saturated with pesticides and chemical fertilisers, as well as constant soil. The amount of organic matter in the soil was disturbed, as were the natural populations of microorganisms, resulting in a decrease in the content of humic substances in the soil. To replace the amount of humic substance in the soil, humic and fulvic acids can be safely extracted from sub-bituminous coal and applied to the soil or foliar. These items are practical, inexpensive, and simple to use.
Methods that are well-known but Sophisticated
Farmers have been using seaweed for centuries to provide 60 nutrients, natural growth hormones, and increased plant resistance to stress changes. Farmers had to remove the seaweed from the ocean, compost it, and plant it, which is a difficult process.
Those looking to improve their agricultural production can now easily obtain seaweed. Seaweed can be applied to the soil or as a foliar treatment. They promote germ health and root growth. Today, dealing with organic production alone is extremely difficult, which is why many growers combine organic products with conventional methods.
Excellent for conventional Manufacturing as well
Conventional growers are frequently pleasantly surprised when they begin using hydrolyzed fish fertiliser, humic and fulvic acids, seaweed, and other organic products and discover that their plants are healthier and yielding more than usual.
When organic products are used in fruit and vegetable production, there are significant changes in the production of healthy crops and soil health, regardless of whether it is strictly organic or conventional production.
