ORGANIC FARMING

CONTENTS
Introduction Concept and Need of organic farming Objectives and Principles of organic farming Relationship of Organic farming with Bio-Diversity and Eco-system Resources and Methods to do Organic Farming Organic Farming in INDIA Conclusions

INDIAN AGRICULTURE SOME FACTS

Total Geographical Area - 328 million hectares Net Area sown - 190.8 million hectares Gross Cropped Area 142 million hectares Major Crop Production:
Rice

89.5 million tonnes Wheat 75.6 million tonnes Cereals 30.5 million tonnes Pulses 13.4 million tonnes Oilseeds 20.9million tonnes Sugarcane 29.9 million tonnes

INDIAN AGRICULTURE SOME FACTS

Contributes to 17.5% of GDP Provides food to 1Billion people Sustains 60% of the population Produces 51 major Crops Provides Raw Material to Industries Contributes to 1/6th of the export earnings

PROBLEMS CREATED BY GREEN REVOLUTION

Reduced genetic diversity Increased vulnerability to pests Soil erosion Water shortages Reduced soil fertility Micronutrient deficiencies Soil contamination Reduced availability of nutritious food crops The displacement of vast numbers of small farmers Rural impoverishment and increased tensions and conflicts

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF INORGANIC FARMING

1. Destruction of soil structure and poor water holding capacity 2. Reduction in soil fertility and low organic matter content 3. Increase in salinity and land submergence 4. Indiscriminate killing of useful insects 5. Adverse effect on soil flora and fauna 6. Resistance development in pathogen 7. Deterioration of environment and human health 8. Problems associated with residual toxicity

WHAT IS ORGANIC FARMING?

Organic farming is the production of crops and livestock without the use of synthetic chemicals and in-organic fertilizers.

DEFINITION
Organic farming 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 feasible it relies upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal wastes, mechanical cultivation, mineral bearing rocks and aspects of biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and tilts to supply plant nutrients and to control insects, weeds and other pests . (Lampkin, 1990)

DEFINITION
Organic agriculture is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro eco-system health, including bio- diversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity and this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic, biological and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off -farm inputs (FAO, 1993).

HISTORY OF ORGANIC FARMING

Origin: Asian countries 1905-1924: Albert Howard (British) worked as agrl. Advisor in Pusa documented traditional farming practices, Book: Agricultural Testament 1939: Eve Balfour (England) Haughley experiment compared organic and conventional farming, Book: Living soil 1940: Rudolf Steiner (Germany) Biodynamic agriculture 1940: Masanobu Fukoka (Japan) 1950: J.I. Rodale(US) popularize through organic gardening 1962: Rachel Carson: Silent Spring Effect of pesticides on environment\ 1970: Global movements 1972: IFOAM 1980- till date:

CONCEPT OF ORGANIC FARMING

inputs

Avoid usage of Synthetic chemical inputs

Natural and farm resources

pest control

Environm ent & Local farming system

Organic Farming

Biological diversity

Nutrients rich yield

WHY FARM ORGANICALLY?

Organic farming provides long-term benefits

to people and the environment. Organic farming aims to:

Increase long-term soil fertility and improves soil structure. Control pests and diseases without harming the environment. Ensure that water stays clean and safe. Use resources which the farmer already has, so the farmer needs less money to buy farm inputs i.e. Low input cost . Produce nutritious food, feed for animals and high

 Produce nutritious food, feed for animals and high quality crops to sell at a good price. Pollution free approach. Making available all the essential nutrients. 20000 die every year due to the toxic effect of the chemicals used in agriculture. The crop loss due to pest is still 15000 crores. About one million people suffer from pesticides poisoning.

OBJECTIVES OF ORGANIC FARMING

To develop a sustainable agriculture system To develop self-sufficient agriculture system To work within natural system and cycles. To encourage and enhance biological cycles

ORGANIC FARMING PRINCIPLES

PRINCIPLE OF HEALTH
Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible Healthy soils produce healthy crops that foster the health of animals and people. Health is the wholeness and integrity of living systems. The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to

PRINCIPLE OF ECOLOGY
Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them. This principle roots organic agriculture within living ecological systems. It states that production is to be based on ecological processes, and recycling Nourishment and well-being are achieved through the ecology of the specific production environment. Organic management must be adapted to local

Inputs should be reduced by reuse, recycling and efficient management of materials and energy in order to maintain and improve environmental ecological quality and conserve resources Organic agriculture should attain balance through the design of farming systems, establishment of habitats and maintenance of genetic and agricultural diversity.

PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS
Organic the Agriculture should build and on life

relationships that ensure fairness with regard to common environment opportunities. This principle emphasizes that those involved in organic agriculture should conduct human relationships in a manner that ensures fairness at all levels and to all parties - farmers, workers, processors, distributors, traders and

It aims to produce a sufficient supply of good quality food and other products. Natural and environmental resources that are used for production and consumption should be managed in a way that is socially and ecologically just and should be held in trust for future generations Fairness requires systems of production, distribution and trade that are open and equitable and account for real environmental and social costs.

PRINCIPLE OF CARE
Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment. Organic agriculture is a living and dynamic system that responds to internal and external demands and conditions. This principle states that precaution and responsibility are the key concerns in

BIODIVERSITY AND ORGANIC FARMING

Organic farmers are both custodians and users of biodiversity at all levels: Gene level: locally adapted seeds and breeds are preferred for their greater resistance to diseases and resilience to climatic stress Species level: diverse combinations of plants and animals optimize nutrient and energy cycling for agricultural production; Ecosystem level: the maintenance of natural areas within and around organic fields and absence of chemical inputs create suitable habitats for wildlife. Reliance on natural control methods maintains species diversity and avoids the selection of pest species resistant to chemical control methods.

Organic agriculture and soil ecosystems

Natural soil fertility must be relied upon in organic systems. Practices such as crop rotations, symbiotic association, cover crops, organic fertilizers and minimum tillage create suitable conditions for soil fauna and flora.

Natural disease resistance and pest predation must be strengthened in organic systems. Crop rotation is considered the cornerstone of organic management, functioning as a tool for pest management and soil fertility.

Organic agriculture and agro-ecosystems

ORGANIC FARMING RESOURCES

ORGANIC FARMING METHODS

Crop rotation Mulching Composting Green Manure

CROP ROTATION
Crop rotation means having times where the fertility of the soil is being built up and times where crops are grown which remove nutrients Crop rotation also helps a variety of natural predators to survive on the farm

COMPOSTING
Compost is organic matter (plant and animal residues) which has been rotted down by the action of bacteria and other organisms, over a period of time

Compost improves the structure of the soil

Compost improves soil fertility by adding nutrients and by making it easier for plants to take up the nutrients already in the soil

Compost improves the soil's ability to hold water

Provide nutrients for plants but do not improve soil structure

MULCHING
Mulching means covering the ground with a layer of loose material such as compost, manure, straw, dry grass, leaves or crop residues. How to use mulches o Always apply mulches to a warm, wet soil o Care should be taken as to the thickness of the mulch applied o To clear an area of land of persistent weeds a layer of 10cm or more can be used.

GREEN MANURES
Green manures, often known as cover crops, are plants which are grown to improve the structure, organic matter content and nutrient content of the soil

They are grown for their green leafy material which is high in nutrients and provides soil cover

Green manures o Improve the ability of the soil to hold water o Control soil erosion o Improve soil structure o Improve soil fertility

ORGANIC FARMING IN INDIA

Large number of companies, NGOs, farmer organisations and government agencies promoting organic agriculture 12,000 certified organic farms 210 projects 200,000 hectares certified organic land

Wide range in different States

Government policies to support organic farming

Major Products produced in India by Organic Farming

Type Commodity Spices Products Tea, Coffee, Rice, Wheat Cardamom, Black pepper, white pepper, ginger, turmeric, vanilla, mustard, tamarind, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace chilly Red Gram, Black Gram Mango, Banana, Pineapple, Grape, passion fruit, Orange, Cashew nut, walnut Okra, Brinjal, Garlic, Onion, Tomato, Potato Sesame, castor, sunflower Cotton, herbal extract

Pulses Fruits Vegetables Oilseeds Others

Why Farmers are reluctant to adopt organic farming?

Perceived high costs of doing organic farming due to incomplete knowledge about principles and practices of organic agriculture among farmers. They were arranging inputs from outside. Non-availability of adequate quantities of organic manures and other organic inputs in the local market.

Knowledge of organic farming has not filtered down to actual users i.e. small farmers and the information reached to target groups, is often not backed by scientifically proven results.

Complex and costly procedures of certification.

Risk involved in marketing of organic produce.

STRATEGIES NEEDED TO PROMOTE ORGANIC FARMING IN INDIA

Adequate research and extension support needs to be provided Research to quantify the role of organic farming in minimizing the ill effects of modern agriculture and its effect on environment Helping farmers to promote organic farming Government should recognize agriculture in Kyoto protocol carbon credit mechanism Developing infrastructure for supply chain and ensuring competitive price for organic products Capacity trainings building through on farm demonstrations and

Government support in cheaper access to organic certificates

INORGANIC versus ORGANIC FARMING

Inorganic Farming
Against Nature Soil structure destroyed More chemical residues present in crops Low quality produce Highly fluctuation in yield

Organic Farming
Harmony with Nature Soil structure improves No chemical residues Premium quality Satisfactory and reliable yield

 Sustainable, economic and eco friendly

CONCLUSIONS

approach Minimum risk of residual toxicity Improvement in soil fertility with high yield, quality produce Maintenance of organic matter content of the soil Reduced energy use

 Organic agricultural practices are a promising method that will hopefully be expanded in the near future. The benefits of buying, eating, and producing organically well out weighs the negatives The price may be a factor in deciding to buy organic but the health of our soil should be more important. In our environmentally conscious world, people need to be more informed about how their food is produced and what effects that is having on the earth and our futures.

For LISTENING