Organic Farming

 

Organic Farming:

 

Organic farming, also known as ecological farming or biological farming, is an agricultural system that uses fertilizers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure, and bone meal and places emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting. Organic farming continues to be developed by various organizations today. Biological pest control, mixed cropping and the fostering of insect predators are encouraged. Organic standards are designed to allow the use of naturally-occurring substances while prohibiting or strictly limiting synthetic substances. For instance, naturally-occurring pesticides such as pyrethrin are permitted, while synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are generally prohibited. Synthetic substances that are allowed include, for example, copper sulfate, elemental sulfur and Ivermectin. Organic farming advocates claim advantages in sustainability, openness, self-sufficiency, autonomy and independence, health, food security, and food safety. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved...". Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects.

Methods how the organic farming is carried out:

• Crop diversity:

Organic farming encourages crop diversity. Planting a variety of vegetable crops supports a wider range of beneficial insects, soil microorganisms, and other factors that add up to overall farm health. Crop diversity helps the environment to thrive and protects species from going extinct.

• Soil management:

Organic farming is biological process, driven by microorganisms such as mycorrhiza and earthworms, releases nutrients available to plants throughout the growing season. Farmers use a variety of methods to improve soil fertility, including crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and application of compost. It also reduces greenhouse gases and helps reverse climate change. Reducing tillage may also improve soil structure and reduce the potential for soil erosion.

• Weed management:

Organic weed management promotes weed suppression, rather than weed elimination, by enhancing crop competition and phytotoxic effects on weeds. Organic standards require rotation of annual crops, meaning that a single crop cannot be grown in the same location without a different, intervening crop.

Some of the common ways to control weed are:

Ø  Tillage - Turning the soil between crops to incorporate crop residues and soil amendments; remove existing weed growth and prepare a seedbed for planting; turning soil after seeding to kill weeds, including cultivation of row crops.

Ø  Mowing and cutting - Removing top growth of weeds.

Ø  Flame weeding and thermal weeding - Using heat to kill weeds.

Ø  Mulching - Blocking weed emergence with organic materials, plastic films, or landscape fabric.

Ø  Weeds can be controlled by grazing.

 

Organic Animal Husbandry:

Animal Husbandry is an integral part of farming practice. However, within this system ‚livestock shall mean any domestic or domesticated animal including bovine (including buffalo and bison), ovine, porcine, caprine, equine, poultry and bees raised for food or in the production of food.‛ Organic animal husbandry is defined as a system of livestock production that promotes the use of organic and biodegradable inputs from the ecosystem in terms of animal nutrition, animal health, animal housing and breeding.

Key Considerations in Organic Livestock Production:

Some key considerations in organic animal husbandry that producers and other stakeholders need to take into account are listed below:

• Origin of livestock: All livestock (and all products from these livestock) that are sold, labeled or advertised as organic must be raised under continuous organic management from the last third of gestation or at hatching.
• Livestock feed: The total rations of livestock that are produced under organic management must consist of agricultural products that have been organically produced and handled organically. This includes pasture, forage and crops. Certain non-synthetic and synthetic substances may be used as feed additives and supplements. Twenty percent of the feed for dairy cattle which is under nine months of age is allowed to come from non-organic sources. Plastic pellets, urea, manure and by-products from mammalian or poultry slaughter are not allowed.

• Living conditions: An organic livestock producer must create and maintain living conditions that promote the health and accommodate the natural behavior of the animal. These living conditions must include access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, fresh air, direct sunlight suitable for the particular species and access to pastures for ruminants.

 

 

• Waste management: Organic livestock producers are mandated to manage manure so that it does not contribute to the contamination of crops, soil or water and optimizes the recycling of nutrients.

                

 

• Health care: Organic livestock production requires producers to establish preventive health care practices. These practices include:

Ø  Selecting the appropriate type and species of livestock .

Ø  Providing adequate feed.

Ø  Creating an appropriate environment that minimizes stress, disease and parasites.

Ø  Administering vaccines and veterinary biologics.

 

Role of livestock on an organic farm:

• Nutrient cycling: A process in which nutrients are returned to the soil through manure and compost. Amending soils with animal manures can increase microbial biomass, enzymatic activity and alter the structure of the microbial community incorporation of feed crops, such as alfalfa or grasses into crop rotations helps to build soil organic matter Increasing cropping options, adding diversity to the agro- ecosystem.
• Weed control: Feed crops can be used to suppress and control weeds and animals can be used to graze out weeds on crops or pastures.
• Preparing the ground for cropping: Livestock such as pigs have a natural tendency to dig the soil if leave on the natural field, hence can reduce the tillage and weed control costs.
• Interrupting insect and disease cycles: by taking land out of cropping
• Adding value: to grass-lands and promoting the use of green manures.

 

Problems faced:

• Lack of knowledge
• Livestock feeding
• Sanitary regulations

 

Advantages of Organic Farming:

The following are some of the advantages of organic farming:

• Natural fertilizers are used in organic farming to increase yields.
• Organic farming is a more environmentally friendly way of growing.
• Organic farming provides improved pest and disease resistance.
• Organic farming promotes a healthier work environment
• Organic farming produces healthier meals
• Organic farming contributes to better soil.

 

Disadvantages of Organic Farming:

The following are some of the disadvantages of organic farming:

• Organic farming in the United States lacks a supporting infrastructure.
• Organic farming does not always take prior practices into account.
• Organic producers must go through a strict certification procedure.
• Organic agriculture is rarely supported.
• Organic farming still employs fungicides and chemicals.

 

At last we like to conclude that organic farming is effective way for farming but needs for efforts than conventional methods.