Organic farming

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It is the practice of farming or raising of crops and other livestock without using any inorganic chemical fertilizers, pesticides or any other genetically modified organisms. With organic farming, the productivity of the farming fields is enhanced along with economic growth, thus promising a sustainable environment. Nowadays, farmers are aware of the harmful and toxic effect of fertilizers and other chemicals used. As a result, they started to rely on organic farming. It has many benefits over other practices. They are eco-friendly and help to reduce the soil infertility and soil erosion issues. It enhances the organic productivity which promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Types of Organic Farming

Organic farming is primarily of two types, namely:

  1. Pure organic farming
  2. Integrated organic farming

Pure organic farming involves avoiding all artificial chemicals. Every fertilizer and pesticide that are used are derived from completely natural sources such as blood meal or bone meal.

Integrated organic farming involves integrating techniques aimed at achieving ecological requirements and economic demands such as integrated pest management and nutrients management.

Nutrients Management in Organic Farming

Organic farming follows a healthy way of farming for both crops as well as consumers. In this method, composted organic manure is used for nutrition of crops and thus, improves the organic content and fertility of the soil. Apart from manures, bacterial and fungal biofertilizers are also used for enhancing the soil nutrients.

Weed and Pest Management

Crop rotation, mixed cropping, organic control, hand weeding are the other techniques used in organic farming to maintain soil fertility and for pest and weed control. These systems of pest and weed management and soil protection make organic farming the best method. Sometimes, natural or other organically approved insecticides like neem pesticides are also used.

Disease Management

Diseases can be a major concern for organic farmers as it might reduce crop yields. So, supplying important macro and micronutrients and adopting crop rotation is crucial to prevent various plant diseases. Even the soil is enriched with useful microbes, fungi, and bacteria to prevent harmful organisms in check.

Organic fruits and vegetables are not the only examples of successful organic products. Recently, dairy products which are organic are noticeable. Livestock is another example of organic farming. Here, they follow a strict means of farming like animals feed on organic food only. Hormones or other genetic engineering practices for high yield are not allowed on animals.

Advantages of Organic Farming

  • Improves soil fertility and maintain biological diversity.
  • Good for the environment and yields are healthy for human and animal consumption.
  • Prevents soil erosion, degradation and crop failure.
  • Decrease pollution and the whole farming can easily rely on renewable energy sources.
  • Improves soil fertility and enhances its chemical and physical properties

 


Best Regards
Rebecca Pearson
Editorial Manager