ORGANIC FARMING

Introduction:
Organic farming has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its numerous advantages over
conventional farming practices. This farming method focuses on sustainable agriculture by avoiding
chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. However,there are also challenges, such as yield
reductions and higher labor costs. In this project , we will explore the advantages and challenges of
organic farming for sustainable agriculture.

What is Organic Farming?

Organic farming can be defined as an agricultural process that uses biological fertilisers and pest
control acquired from animal or plant waste. Organic farming was actually initiated as an answer to
the environmental sufferings caused by the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. In
other words, organic farming is a new system of farming or agriculture that repairs, maintains, and
improves the ecological balance.
Principles of Organic Farming:

These are the four principles of organic farming are mentioned below.

(A).Principle of Health:

Organic agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal,human and planet as
one and indivisible. Healthy soils produce healthy crops that foster the health of animals and
people.

(B).Principle of Ecology:

Organic agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and

cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them. It should attain ecological

balance through the design of farming systems, establishment of habitats and

maintenance of genetic and agricultural diversity

(C). Principle of fairness:

Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with

regard to the common environment and life opportunities. Fairness requires systems of production,

distribution and trade that are open and equitable and account for real

environmental and social costs.

(D) . Principle of care:

Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible

manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations

and the environments

The important goals of organic farming are:
‌A sufficiently high level of productivity.

‌Compatibility of cultivation with the natural cycles of the production system as a whole.

‌Maintaining and increasing the long-term fertility and biological activity of the soil.

‌Maintaining and increasing natural diversity and agro-biodiversity.

‌Maximum possible use of renewable resources.

‌Creation of a harmonic balance between crops and animal husbandry.

‌Creation of conditions in which animals are kept that correspond to their Natural behavior.

‌Protection of, and learning from, indigenous knowledge and traditional

management.

ADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FARMING :

(A) nutritional poison free in testy food:

The nutritional value of food is largely a function of its vitamin and mineral

content. In this regard, organically grown food is dramatically superior in

mineral content to that grown by modern conventional methods. A major

benefit to consumers of organic food is that it is free of contamination with

health harming chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. Several

studies indicate that 10-60 percent more healthy fatty acids (like CLA’s) and

omega-3 fatty acids occur in organic dairy (Butler et al., 2008). In crops, vitamin

C ranges 5-90 percent more and secondary metabolites 10-50 percent more in

organic. Also , less residues of pesticides and antibiotics are present. Organically

grown food tastes better than that conventionally grown. The tastiness of fruit

and vegetables is directly related to its sugar content, which in

turn is a function of the quality of nutrition that the plant itself as

enjoyed. Organically grown plants are nourished naturally, rendering the structural and

metabolic integrity of their cellular structure superior to those conventionally

grown. As a result, organically grown foods can be stored longer and do not

show the latter's susceptibility to rapid mold and rotting

(B) lower growing cost :

The economics of organic farming is characterized by increasing profits via

reduced water use, lower expenditure on fertilizer and energy, and increased

retention of topsoil. To add to this the increased demand for organic produce

makes organic farming a profitable option for farmers.

(C). Enhance soil nourishment:

Organic farming effectively addresses soil management. Even damaged

soil, subject to erosion and salinity, are able to feed on micro-nutrients via crop

rotation, inter-cropping techniques and the extensive use of green manure. The

absence of chemicals in organic farming does not kill microbes which increase

nourishment of the soil. Biodynamic farms had better soil quality: greater in

organic matter, content and microbial activity, more earthworms, better soil

structure, lower bulk density, easier penetrability, and thicker topsoil

(Reganold et al., 1993); agricultural productivity doubled with soil fertility

techniques: compost application and introduction of leguminous plants into the

crop sequence .

(D). More Energy Efficiency :

Growing organic rice was four times more energy efficient than the conventional method (Mendoza,
2002). Organic agriculture reduces energyrequirementsrequirements for production systems by 25
to 50 percent compared to conventional chemical-based agriculture.

(E). Environment friendly practice:

The use of green pesticides such as neem, compost tea and spinosad is

environment friendly and non-toxic. These pesticides help in identifying

and removing diseased and dying plants in time and subsequently,

increasing crop defense systems. Organic farms’ biodiversity increases resilience to climate change
and weather unpredictability. Organic
agriculture reduces erosion caused by wind and water as well as by overgrazing

at a rate of 10 million hectare annually (Pimentel et al., 1995).

(F). Organic farming is a source of productive labour:

Agriculture is the main employer in rural areas and wage labour provides an

important source of income for the poor. Thus, by being labour intensive,

organic agriculture creates not only employment but improves returns on

labour, including also fair wages and non-exploitive working conditions. New

sources of livelihoods, especially once market opportunities are exploited, in

turn revitalize rural economies and facilitate their integration into national

economies.

DISADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FARMING:

(A). Lower productivity:
An organic farm cannot produce as much yield as a conventional or

industrialized farm. A 2008 survey and study conducted by the UN

Environmental Program concluded that organic methods of farming result in

small yields even in developing areas, compared to conventional farming

techniques. Though this point is debatable as the productivity and soil quality

of an industrialized farm decreases rapidly over the years.

(B). Require skill:

An organic farmer requires greater understanding of his crop and needs to

keep a close watch on his crops as there are no quick fixes involved, like

pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Sometimes it can be hard to meet all the

strenuous requirements and the experience to carry out organic farming.

(C). Time consumption:

Significant amounts of time and energy are required to execute the detailed methods and
techniques that are required for a farm to be called an organic farm. Failure to comply with any of
these requirements could result in loss of

certification, which the farmer will not be able to regain in up to three years.

And it can be more time-consuming. Organic farming increases soil fertility

by way of compost, and organic fertilizers and mulch. Organic fertilizers tend

to be slow-release. As with control by botanicals, horticultural oils, and

insecticidal soaps, organic fertilizers may need several applications before the

desired results are brought about.

(D). More labour consumption:

It can be more labor-intensive. For organic farming considers biological,

cultural and mechanical responses to production challenges. It focuses on plant

and soil health through proper aeration, drainage fertility, structure and

watering. So there's more above and below ground grunt work involved.

(E). Organic farming are not common :

It methods aren't as established and widespread - yet - as

conventional production. So organic control by botanicals such as pyrethrin can

be more expensive than conventional controls by the longer established, more

available, and wider ranging artificial, commercial, synthetic chemical

pesticides.

FUTURE PROSPECTS:

The movement started with developed world is gradually picking up in developing countries. But
demand is still concentrated in developed and most affluent countries.

Local demand for organic food is growing. India is poised for faster growth with growing domestic
market.

Success of organic movement in India depends upon the growth of its own

domestic markets. India has traditionally been a country of organic agriculture,

but the growth of modern scientific, input intensive agriculture has pushed it to

wall. But with the increasing awareness about the safety and quality of foods,

long term sustainability of the system and accumulating evidences of being

equally productive, the organic farming has e merged as an alternative system

of farming which not only address the quality and sustainability concerns, but

also ensures a debt free, profitable livelihood.

 Conclusion :

Advantages and Challenges of Organic Farming Despite the higher production costs and lower
yields,Organic farming offers many long-term benefits. Organic farming promotes sustainability and
environment-friendly practices and ensures healthier food for consumers. However , it requires
more labor and effort from farmers,making it an ongoing challenge.

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