Organic Farming, Concept, Principles, Advantages, Causes of low adoption of Organic Farming , Constraints/ Problems/Difficulties , Basic Tools of Organic Farming

Organic Farming

             It is a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives to the maximum extent organic systems rely upon crop rotations , crop residues , animal manures , legumes , green manures , off farm organic wastes , mechanical cultivation.

Concepts of Organic Farming:

1) The substitution of manures and other organic matter for inorganic fertilizers.

2)The use of biological pest control instead of chemical pest control.

Principles/ Aims / Objectives of Organic Farming:

1) To produce food of high nutritional quality.

2) To interact in a constructive and life enhancing way with natural system and cycles .

3) To encourage and enhance biological cycles within the farming system.

4) To maintain the soil fertility.

5) To avoid all form of pollution that may result from agricultural techniques.

6) To help in the conservation of soil and water.

7) To work with material and substances , which can be reused and recycled.

8) To maintain the genetic diversity.

9) To promote healthy use and proper care of water , water resources and all life there in .

10) To consider the wider , social and ecological impact of the farming system.

Advantages:

1) It helps in maintaining environmental health and reduces pollution.

2) It helps in maintaining biodiversity.

3) It improves soil physical properties such as granulation and good tilth.

4) It improves the soil chemical properties such as supply and retention of soil nutrients and promotes favourable chemical reactions.

5)Minimizes pollution due to conservation of waste material into valuable compost.

6) Eliminates the risk of human and animal health hazards by eliminating the chances of chemical residues.

7) Eliminates the chances of contamination in water bodies.

8) It minimizes the cost of production through the use of farm inputs 

9) It ensures sustained productivity without any loss in fertility.

10) Organically grown products are nutritionally rich and better in quality.

11) Organically grown plants are more resistant to disease and pests 

12) Due to diversification of crops there is more secured income.

Causes of Low Adoption of Organic Farming:

1) Chemicals are easy to use and less costly.

2) Large quantities of organic inputs are required.

Constraints/ Problems/ Difficulties in Organic Farming:

1) Heavy metals content of urban compost.

2) Lack of quality assurance of Organic inputs .

3) Non- Awareness of farmers and NGOs on the impact of Organic Farming.

4) Risk of low production in initial years of Organic Farming.

5)Slow release of nutrients from organic sources which is not matching the nutritional demand of high yielding varieties.

Basic Tools Of Organic Farming:

1) Land and Crop management: Use of crop rotation with leguminous crops , green manuring and organic manures for maintaining soil fertility and productivity.

2) Farm waste recycling

3) Integrated Organic weed Management

4) Biological control of pests

5) Bio insecticides and herbicides

6) Integrated plant Nutrient management

7) Integrated farming system approach 

✍️Agricoss Vaishnavi Nimkar9