
Organic farming, as the name suggests is the system of agriculture that is comparable to the natural ecosystem, which increases the carbon content of the soil. The organic approach recognizes the marvelous complexity of our living world; the detailed and intricate ways in which all living organisms are interconnected. It aims to work within this delicate framework, in harmony with nature. This method of farming is not the new one; it was prevalent before the advent of industrial revolution. Organic farming is the age old method which actually produces better yields as compared to the so called inorganic and modern methods by maintaining the soil balance.
Pesticides vs. Biological Pest Control
The inorganic method emphasizes the excessive use of harmful chemicals in the form of pesticides and insecticides posing danger to the lives of many aquatic organisms. The organic farming methods allow organisms to thrive and yet can produce better results. Organic farming methods rely on biological pest control that is dependent on birds and parasites to kill the weeds and pests in a natural way. They are part of a great food chain. Ladybugs prey on aphids, robins eat Japanese beetles, and toads devour slugs. Biological pest control is conducive for the natural ecosystem and is therefore a sustainable and green alternative to the inorganic farming.
Mono cropping vs. Crop Rotation
Organic farming uses the crop rotation method prominently to maintain the fertility of the soil by replenishing nitrogen using green manure. The crop rotation method prevents disproportionate depletion of soil nutrients. If a farmer rotates between deep rooted and shallow rooted plants, the structure of the soil can also be improved. Similarly rigid crop rotation along with the tillage methods can provide adequate soil cover and control the soil erosion due to rainfall and inconsistent climatic conditions. The modern industrial farming relies too heavily on growing single crop over a wide area.
Growing a single crop year after year can be dangerous when a regular crop is prone to pathogens and the whole crop is destroyed. Crop rotation can avoid the buildup of pathogens by breaking the pest cycle. This is therefore a natural way of control pests and pathogens. In countries like India, Kenya and other developing nation's farmers have relied on crop rotation methods since ages, because they are cost effective methods of saving the soil as well as the yield without spending huge sum of money on pesticides.
Impact on Health
With the increase in the awareness of environmental issues, people have suddenly realize the importance of organic food farming as a means to save the natural ecosystem as well as the need of a sustainable farming practice. Research has proved that synthetic chemicals added to the fertilizers and pesticides can have detrimental impact on our health. Babies and young children, with their low body weight, are particularly at risk. Pesticides are even found in breast milk.Therefore, people have realized the importance of organic food. This has triggered the demand for organic food produce globally. Hence, more number of farmers is resorting to the organic farming methods. Government in many countries is also giving subsidies to the farmers who employ organic farming methods.
Healthy wildlife
Wildlife has inevitably suffered, in both numbers and species range, as the environment has become progressively degraded. It is alarming to find that once-common species of birds such as evening grosbeaks, northern bobwhites, and eastern meadowlarks are now harder to find. Countless lesser-known species maintain only a precarious existence. Not surprisingly, wildlife flourishes on organic farms and in organic gardens, and it is to be hoped that as more farmers and gardeners abandon chemicals, the steady decline of wildlife will be reversed.
Healthy future
In the worldwide, there is pressure to intensify food production, resulting in an increasing reliance on chemical inputs and a rapid decline in the range of crops and cultivars bred to respond to those inputs. Genetic modification (GM) is the latest and most worrisome embodiment of this trend, which is the antithesis of organic growing. These developments deny local knowledge, traditional expertise, sustainability, diversity, and devolution of power and control. Industrial agriculturists may protest that theirs is the only way to feed the world, but many would take issue with this. The organic movement offers a healthy, sustainable alternative view of the future.
Unified Movement
The last decade has seen a phenomenal rise in interest in all things organic. The organic movement for a long time an energetic, committed, active, but relatively small group of enthusiasts has really come of age. Organic farming methods are regulated and governed by an international organization called IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements). Its mission is to lead, unite and assist the organic movement in all the countries to achieve the uniform goals of making the planet greener.
Organic Farming a Sustainable Solution
excellent article :)
ReplyDeleteI cant wait to get my vegan garden going.
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