What is Organic farming
Organic farming can be defined as a system of
management and agricultural production that combines a high level of
biodiversity and without use chemical fertilizer or pesticides with ecological
practices that preserve normal capitals and has rigorous standards for animal
welfare.
Jaivik kheti
Jaivik kheti
Objectives of Organic Farming
·
To produce food of nutritional quality in sufficient quantity.
·
To work with natural system rather than seeking to govern them.
· To encourage and progress biological cycles within farming
system-involving microorganisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals.
·
To keep and increase long term fertility of soil.
· To use, as far as likely, the renewable resources. To work as much as
possible, within a closed system, wit regard to organic matter and nutrient
elements.
·
To give all livestocks, situations of life that allow them to achieve
all aspects of their innate behavior.
·
To avoid all forms of trash that may result from agricultural
techniques.
· To maintain the genetic diversity of agricultural system and its environments,
including the plants and wild life habitats.allow agricultural creators
an adequate returns and gratification from their work including safe drinking
water.
jaivik kheti
jaivik kheti
Concept of Organic Farming
Significance of Organic Farming for Indian Farmer
1. Varied agro climatic
regions and diversified cropping situations, all crops are grown.
2. Likely for on-farm
input management viz., crop residues, organic manures, green manures,
biopesticides etc.., which are store house of nutrients.
3. 700 mt of rural and
urban biomass, 2000 mt of animal and human feces (800 mt of animal dung
annually), 600 to 700 mt of agricultural waste is available in India annually.
Even if 2/3 of the dung is used for biogas generation, it is predictable to yield about 440 mt of manure/year, which is equivalent to 2.0 mt N, 2.75 mt P2O5 and 1.8 mt K2O/year.
Even if 2/3 of the dung is used for biogas generation, it is predictable to yield about 440 mt of manure/year, which is equivalent to 2.0 mt N, 2.75 mt P2O5 and 1.8 mt K2O/year.
4. Small holdings: usual
farming systems which combine agriculture, livestock, horticulture, forestry,
poultry, fisheries etc.,
5. Indigenous practical
knowledge and skills, and availability of trained manpower.
6. Scientific thinking,
approach and Govt. policy support towards Organic Farming is increasing.
7. Greater national
market for organic foods.
Status of Organic Farming in india
·
The task force of GOI under the chairmanship of Shri Kunwarji Bhai elective
need for alternative to modern conventional agriculture.
·
National Standards for organic products (NSOP) have been
standardized during May, 2001 and all the crops sold under the logo “India
Organic”.
·
Natioanal Accreditation Policy Programme (NAPP) has been expressed
with the accreditation rules announced in May, 2001.
·
This made it compulsory that all certification bodies engaged
in inspection and certification of organic crops and crops should be
accredited by an accreditation agency.
Accreditation agencies: APEDA, Coffee Board, Tea Board etc.,
·
Certification and examination agencies: SKAL India, INDOCERT,
ECOCERT International, APOF Bangalore etc.,
·
National Institute of Organic Farming (NIOF) recognized at Ghaziabad.
The purpose of this institute is to formulate rules, regulations and certification of
organic farm products in traditionalism with International standards.
·
Govt of Karnataka also articulated policy on OF during Feb, 2004.
The organic food production costs are sophisticated in the developed
countries as organic farming is labour exhaustive and labour is costly in these
countries. However, in country like India, where labouris rich and cheap. OF is
seen as a good cost effective resolution to the increasing costs involved in
chemical farming. Currently most of the organic farmers in India are still in
the change phase and hence, their costs are high. As these farmers continue
with OF, the production costs are predictable to reduce, making India as one of
the most important producers of organic diet.
Characteristics of Organic Farming
·
Maximum but maintainable use of
resources.
·
Nominal use of purchased inputs, only
as balancing to local resources.
·
Ensuring the basic biological functions
of soil-water-nutrients-human continuum.
· Keeping the diversity of herbal and
animal species as a basis for environmental balance and economic stability.
·
Generating an another overall landscape
which give satisfaction to the limited people.
· Growing crop and animal variety in the
form of polycultures, agroforestry systems, integrated crop-livestock systems
etc.., to minimize the risk.
jaivik kheti
jaivik kheti
Often discussed issues
1. Can OF produce sufficient food for every one?
2. Is it possible to meet nutrient condition of crops entirely from organic
sources?
3. Are there any important benefits of organic farming?
4. Is the food produced by organic farming is high in quality ?
5. Is OF economically possible ?.
6. Is it possible to manage pests and diseases in organic farming?
