Traditional GK

Introduction: 

Today, in modern agricultural techniques, the use of synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides is disrupting ecosystems, soil health, and human health as well. The petroleum-based agriculture system that started last decade has caused numerous health problems in today's lifestyle. Organic farming is a pragmatic approach that considers future ecosystems more important than today's economy. Its main objective is to learn from the natural agricultural environment. Organic agriculture is a farming system that helps maintain soil, ecosystems, and human health.

Table of contents:

1. What is Organic Farming?

2. Objective of Organic Farming

3. History of Organic Farming

4. Types of Organic Farming

5. Methods of Organic Farming

6. Importance of Organic Farming

7. Advantages of Organic Farming

8. Disadvantages of Organic Farming

9. Natural Farming Vs Organic Farming

10. Sustainable agriculture and Organic Farming

1. What is Organic Farming?

Organic farming, also known as ecological farming or organic farming, is a farming method that does not use any chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc., instead using biological fertilizers and pest controllers derived from animal or plant waste. This type of farming applies eco-friendly techniques for sustainable development in agriculture. The process of farming began in the 1940s as an answer to the environmental woes caused by the excessive use of pesticides and other artificial products in agriculture.

2. Objective of Organic Farming:  

The objectives of organic farming are to:

1. Working with natural systems rather than seeking to dominate them.

2. Producing food with high nutritional value.

3. Maintaining soil health and increasing long-term soil fertility.

4. Avoiding all types of pollution that may result from agricultural technology.

5. Maintaining the genetic diversity of agricultural systems and their surroundings, including plant and wildlife habitats.

6. Allowing producers adequate income and satisfaction from their work.

7. History of Organic Farming:

The concepts of organic agriculture were developed in the early 1900s by Sir Albert Howard, F.H. King, Rudolf Steiner, and others who believed that the use of animal manures (often made into compost), green manures (made from plant waste), cover crops, crop rotation, and biologically based pest controls resulted in a better farming system. Organic agriculture was established in its own right in the 1930s and 1940s. Indian agriculture began by 9000 BCE as a result of early cultivation of plants and domestication of crops and animals. The genetic origins of the first agriculturalists in the Neolithic period seemed to lie in the near East. The demand for organic food was stimulated in the 1960s by the publication of Silent Spring by Rachel Corson, which documented the extent of environmental damage caused by insecticides. Organic food sales increased steadily from the late 20th century.   

4. Types of Organic Farming:

The organic farming process is classified into two types based on their farming process: pure organic farming and integrated organic farming. Both farming processes have their advantages and disadvantages, allowing farmers to tailor their practices based on their preferences and ecological considerations.

-> Pure Organic Farming: Pure organic farming relies solely on natural methods for cultivation. Pure organic farming completely avoids inorganic chemicals that may harm the soil, crop, and people who consume it. The farmers exclusively utilize organic fertilizers and biopesticides derived from natural sources, such as bone meal, blood meal, and other organic matter.

-> Integrated Organic Farming: This farming process consists of integrating pest management and nutrient management to achieve ecological requirements and fulfill economic demands as well. These green farming practices recognize the interconnectedness of various farming aspects, integrating them into a cohesive system. Farmers practicing integrated organic farming carefully balance the use of organic fertilizers and bio-pesticides with other ecological practices to create a harmonious and sustainable farming ecosystem.

5. Methods of Organic Farming:

The methodology of organic farming is like going back to nature’s way of growing food. The organic farming method is not merely a cultivation method; it’s a holistic approach that places a premium on sustainability, environmental health, and the overall well-being of our ecosystem. Instead of using chemicals, it uses natural methods to keep the soil and plants healthy. Farmers use organic agriculture methods to enrich the soil with nutrient-rich compost. By using these following processes, such as crop rotation, manures (green and animal), compost, crop diversity, pest management, weed management, soil management, and vermiculture, farmers produce organic food.

6. Importance of Organic Farming:

Organic farming is an important way of maintaining the natural habitat. Compared with conventional agriculture, organic farming uses fewer pesticides, reduces soil erosion, decreases nitrate leaching into groundwater and surface water, and recycles animal wastes back into the farm. Through organic farming, the environment remains pure and less polluted, and all the sources to maintain life on this planet remain less threatened. It also generates income through international exports.

7. Advantages of Organic Farming:

Organic farming is an important way to maintain the ecosystem and natural habitat. Here are the advantages of organic farming given below. -----

1. Organic farming improves soil health and fertility through organic matter addition and microbial activity.

2. Enhances consumer immunity and well-being by providing toxin-free food. It also produces crops with higher nutritional content compared to conventionally grown food.

3. Elimination of chemical usage safeguards soil and water, preventing pollution and contamination.

4. In organic farming, diverse crops resist pests and diseases, contributing to disease-free biodiversity.

5. Organic farming decreases reliance on external inputs, enhancing farmers bargaining power.

6. In this farming process, farmers use natural products, which makes organic farming cost-effective compared to synthetic inputs. It reduces input costs, stabilizes prices, and promotes organization in farmer cooperatives.

7. Organic farming enhances food production, crop yields, and also creates employment opportunities.

8. This farming process optimizes land, water, energy, and labor through various sustainable practices. 

9. Disadvantages of Organic Farming:

Along with many advantages, organic farming has many disadvantages, too. In organic farming processes, farmers have to follow many restrictions, so they face many challenges. Here are some disadvantages of organic farming given below.

1. The products of organic farming cost more because farmers produce them through conventional farming.

2. The production cost is high, and a lot of labor and time are involved.

3. Since the food produced in organic farming is small in quantity, the distribution and marketing of food are not efficient according to demand.

4. Manures are bulky, have fewer amounts of nutrients, and are required to be added in large quantities.

5. The certification of organic farming is not an easy process.

6. The application of organic farming processes in the field needs proper knowledge.

7. The addition of organic manures also may lead to an increase in pest and disease infestations.

8. Natural Farming vs. Organic Farming:

Here are some differences between natural and organic farming given below:

9. Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Farming:

Sustainable farming practices have many similarities with organic farming practices; however, they are not the same. Sustainability looks at farming practices in a holistic manner. While organic farming is the most sustainable method of farming, which can further the use of chemically infused fertilizers and pesticides and foster the usage of naturally grown food products, sustainable farming extends beyond basic farming goals into management and individual goals and lifestyle choices. Organic farming does not cover much in terms of full company or full farm sustainability, but a truly sustainable business attempts to be eco-friendly in many ways. 

Conclusions:

Organic farming is an environment friendly agriculture process which uses fewer pesticides, reduces soil erosion, decreases nitrate leaching into ground water and surface water and recycles animal wastes back into the farm. The food produce from organic farming is also safe and healthy. Organic farming keeps away with almost all synthetic inputs like chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides. It is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity.

FAQs:

• 1. Who is the father of organic farming?

• The British botanist Sir Albert Howard is known as the father of modern organic farming.

• 2. First organic farming state India

• Sikkim is declared as the first and fully organic state of India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2016.

• 3. What are the health benefits of organic farming?

• Being dependent on fully organic processes Organic farming is an environmentally friendly agriculture process. Organic farming strictly avoids chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. That’s why organic farming not only helps to reduce public health risks, but mounting evidence shows that food grown organically is rich in nutrients, such as vitamin C, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus. Organically grown fruits, vegetables, and grains may have more of certain antioxidants and types of flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties like Omega-3 fatty acids.

• 4. What is pure organic farming?

• Pure organic farming means avoiding all unnatural chemicals. Organic farming is also known as ecological farming or biological farming. It is a type of organic farming in which crops are produced with the help of different kinds of organic fertilizers and different kinds of biological natural insecticides without any interference of inorganic fertilizers and chemicals. In this method, farmers exclusively utilize organic fertilizers and bio-pesticides derived from natural sources, such as bone meal, blood meal, manures, compost, neem oil, clove oil, etc.

• 5. What is integrated organic farming?

• Integrated organic farming is a type of farming in which the development of crops from natural resources has the complete nutritive value and also manages to prevent the crops or plants from pests. The goal of the integrated organic farming process is to meet ecological requirements while simultaneously addressing economic demands. These green farming practices recognize the interconnectedness of various farming aspects, integrating them into a cohesive system.