Organic Farming and Its Advantage and Disadvantage
Table of Content:
- What is Organic Farming?
- Definition of Organic Farming or Meaning of Organic Farming
- What are the Different Types of Organic Farming?
- What are the Different Methods of Organic Farming?
- What are the Benefits of Organic Farming?
- What are the Advantages / Benefits of Organic Farming?
- What is the Disadvantage of Organic Farming?
- Difference Between Conventional Farming and Organic Farming
- What is Government Doing to Encourage Organic Farming in India?
- Some Facts About Organic Farming in India?
The terms ecological farming and biological farming are also used to describe organic farming. Generally, organic farming is the practice of producing crops without using synthetic chemicals, inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, insect repellents, or other harmful substances.
In organic farming, animal or plant waste is used as fertilizer and pest control. The organic farming movement was actually born out of a desire to eradicate the environmental harm caused by the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Essentially, organic farming aims to improve, maintain, and repair the ecosystem.
The two main types of organic farming are as follows:
Pure Organic Farming:> Pure organic farming is the practice of using no synthetic, poisonous, or hazardous chemicals in any way during the farming process. The fertilizer and pest control agents used in these agricultural procedures are derived from organic, biodegradable sources including green manures, cow dung, dead plant, and animal parts, etc.
Integrated Organic Farming:> The term "integrated organic farming" refers to some farming techniques where insecticides and fertilizers are made from certain synthetic materials.
The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) established the Principles of Organic Agriculture in September 2005. They are objectives for organic farming. On September 25, 2005, the IFOAM General Assembly endorsed the principles.
The following are the four guiding principles of organic farming:
- Organic Farming should maintain and improve the wellbeing of the earth, plants, animals, and people as a single, integrated whole.
- Organic farming should be built on the functioning ecological cycles and processes, and it should cooperate with them to preserve them.
- Relationships that assure fairness with regard to shared environments and biological processes should be the foundation of organic agriculture.
- To safeguard the environment, the health, and well-being of both present and future generations, organic farming should be managed responsibly and with caution.
Science and technology are combined with traditional farming practices based on naturally occurring biological processes in organic farming. Agroecology is the study of organic farming methods. There have been many parallels between organic agriculture and conventional agriculture in the development of methods.
Crop Diversity: Crop diversity is promoted through organic farming. Multiple crops being grown in the same area is known as polyculture and is frequently used in organic farming, according to the science of agroecology. Variety in vegetable crop planting encourages a larger diversity of advantageous insects, soil microbes, and other elements that contribute to the general health of the farm. The environment benefits from crop diversity and is shielded from extinction.
Weed management: By boosting crop competition and weeds' exposure to phytotoxins, organic weed control encourages weed suppression rather than weed removal. Without using synthetic herbicides, organic farmers combine cultural, biological, mechanical, physical, and chemical weed management techniques.
Soil Management: Using methods like green manure and composting to replenish nutrients removed from the soil by previous crops, organic farming relies more on the natural decomposition of organic matter than the typical conventional farm.
Genetic Modification: Genetically modified plants and animals are prohibited in organic farming, which is a crucial trait.
Livestock: In addition to planting, another traditional farming activity includes raising cattle and birds for meat, dairy, and eggs. Animals are fed and raised in organic farms in an effort to mimic their natural habitat.
Tools: Several classic farm implements are used by organic farmers, and they occasionally use agricultural equipment in ways that are similar to those used in conventional farming. On small organic farms in underdeveloped nations, the only available tools are typically hand tools and diesel-powered water pumps.
Here are some of the benefits of the Advantages/Benefits of Organic Farming:
- Eco-friendly
- Encourages sustainable development
- Delicious and nutritious cuisine
- Low-cost procedure
- It leverages natural inputs.
- Brings in money.
- Exports produce income for the company.
- Employer's source
- The labour involved in organic farming is greater. As a result, it increases employment
Organic Farming Facilitates Good return on Investment: A farmer can achieve a strong return on investment by using locally sourced, less expensive inputs.
Organic Farming is Economical: Crops are planted without the use of pricey fertilizers, pesticides, or HYV seeds in Organic farming. So, there is therefore no additional cost.
Products of Organic Farming Provides More Nutritional Value: Organic foods are more nutrient-dense, palatable, and healthy than foods produced with chemicals and fertilisers.
Organic Farming Promotes Ecological Balance: The ability of organic farming to preserve ecological equilibrium is its most significant characteristic. In contrast to conventional farming, organic farming practises use biodegradable items that don't deplete the soil of the planet. Therefore, this agricultural practise is crucial for preserving the ecological equilibrium.
Organic Farming Products are in High Demand: The demand for organic products is extremely high in India and throughout the world, which increases export revenue.
|
Organic Farming |
Conventional Farming |
Framing Technique |
relies on organic methods and rejects all synthetic elements. |
Use techniques that rely on synthetic inputs to boost productivity. |
Fertilizers Used |
only fertilisers acquired naturally, such as manure and composts. |
Uses Chemical fertilizers like DAP, Urea, and DDT |
Use of GMO |
GMOs must be avoided. Instead, utilise approaches that enhance biodiversity and healthy microorganisms in the soil. |
Massive use of GMOs for increased disease resistance and improved production. |
Sustainability |
The primary goal is sustainability. The fundamental idea is to produce food while protecting the environment and ecosystem. |
No, sustainability. more attention was paid to yield. |
Disease Resistance |
being susceptible to illness and insect infestations. |
Thanks to insecticides, plants are more adapted to disease resistance. |
Health Concerns |
Due to the lack of dangerous compounds, there is no health risk. |
Use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers extensively carries significant health concerns. |
Environmental Concerns |
Safe farming practises help to improve the environment generally. |
Intensive farming techniques are harmful to the land, the soil, and the water. |
Since 2015–16, the Indian government has been promoting organic farming through two specific programmes: the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North-eastern Region (MOVCDNER).
These programmes were created in response to the growing demand for organic food and the realisation of the benefits of chemical-free farming for the environment and human life. Both programmes emphasise providing organic farmers with complete assistance, i.e., from production to certification and marketing.
Here are some schemes introduced by Indian Government to promote organic farming in India:
- The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
- Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
- MOVCDNER (Mission Organic Value Chain Development for Northeastern Region) Scheme for Organic Framing
- National Mission on Oil Palm and Oilseeds (NMOOP) Scheme for Organic Framing
- National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF)
- National Horticulture Mission
- Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme under SHM (Soil Health Management Scheme)
- National Programme for Organic Production
Here are some facts about the Organic Farming:
- Flax seeds, sesame, soybeans, tea, medicinal herbs, rice, and pulses are India's top exports of organic products.
- The world's first entirely organic state, Sikkim, achieved this status in 2016.
- As the demand for healthy foods rises, the beginning of exports from Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland to the UK, USA, Eswatini, and Italy have demonstrated the potential by growing in volume and reaching new markets.
- In 2018–19, organic exports increased by over 50% and reached Rs. 5151 crores.
- As a result of a long history of organic farming, Northeast India consumes much fewer chemicals than the rest of the nation.
- India is seventh in terms of acreage used for organic farming but first in terms of the number of organic farmers.
Organic Farming Meaning of Organic Farming Types of Organic Farming Methods of Organic Farming Benefits of Organic Farming Advantages of Organic Farming Disadvantage of Organic Farming Difference Between Conventional Farming and Organic Farming Encourage Organic Farming in India Facts About Organic Farming in India
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