What You Need to Know About Organic Farming

Organic farming is best for the environment than conventional since it benefits the whole ecosystem by reducing the usage of chemicals and enhancing overall soil properties.

FREMONT, CA: Organic farming is becoming more famous as a farm practice. Even though most agricultural land is still processed through conventional farming, the demand for organic agriculture and crops is constantly increasing.

The following article discloses the answers to some common questions about organic farming, comprising its general definition, background, principles, routines of organic producers, and pros and cons.

What Is Organic Farming And Why It Important?

There are several different definitions of organic farming. Most of them declare that organic farming eliminates synthetically blended fertilizers and pesticides. This is correct, but organic farming is much more than that.

Organic farming is based on unique values as a natural and sustainable farm management practice. That is, organic farming is not only a farm practice but also a philosophy of working along with nature.

As a holistic farm management method, organic farming desires to create a socially, environmentally, and economically supportable food production system. More accurately, organic farming is based on managing the agroecosystem rather than on external inputs, for example, pesticides, artificial fertilizers, additives, and genetically modified organisms.

Organic farmers are true lifeguards who work hard to grow healthy and nutritious crops. Extra responsibility for them is to maintain or enhance the most important natural resources while performing sustainable agriculture for future generations.

The Main Principles of Organic Farming

Organic farming is precisely regulated in each country. Still, there are some principles general to all organic farmers. These are as follows:

- The principle of health asserts that organic farming is designed to protect and improve the health of all organisms (this incorporates soil microorganisms, as well as humans)

- The principle of ecology is according to the fact that organic farming should protect and advantage the environment.

- The principle of fairness targets to provide socially and ecologically suitable management over environmental resources and an adequate supply of quality food & other products.

- The principle of care highlights precaution and responsibility as the pivotal concerns in organic farm management.

Organic farming involves using traditional farm practices in fusion with advanced scientific research and modern farm innovations. For instance, using manuring and biological soil disinfestation.

Different Practices in Organic Farming

Each country controls the laws and regulations for organic farming separately. Based on that, various types of practices are involved in different types of organic farming. Still, there are some famous organic farm practices common to most organic farmers:

- Crop rotation is used to maintain soil fertility and to enhance crop protection from different pests

- Organic nutrient management is contingent on the advancement of soil organic matter using manuring, composting or mulching

- Growing cover crops is a useful practice for controlling insect pests and weeds, preventing soil erosion, as well as enhancing the nutrient content in the soil

- Preventive crop protection measures, such as selecting resistant varieties, the alteration of planting or sowing, and harvesting time

- Depending on natural predators as a biological pest protection gauge

- Weeding as a non-chemical weed management custom

- Anaerobic soil disinfestation that eradicates or reduces soil-borne pests

- Proper space between crops

- Mechanical soil cultivation

- Recycling materials

- Relying on renewable resources

Organic Farming: Remaining Beneficial While Protecting the Environment

One of the central debates in organic or conventional farming is the topic of efficiency. While the practices of both can be discussed, farmers are most worried about the productivity and profitability of each.

Farm productivity relies on many factors, comprising crop characteristics, soil type, weather conditions, and insect pests and diseases.

Conventional farming is trusted to be more productive than organic. Nevertheless, higher input costs and lower market price does affect its profitability.

But, if we carefully analyze the yields, organic farming is still less productive than conventional. One reason is that organic farming boosts crop growth while conventional farming eliminates potential crop damages.

Some examples show organic farming as having great potential for adequate yields. For example, research conducted by the Rodale Institute proved that organically grown corn yields 31% higher than traditionally grown corn during drought. Lastly, organic farming has shown to be an efficient practice despite typical lower yields.

One reason for the efficiency of organic production is the higher market price that organically grown crops can demand. As a result, certified organic products are more expensive for public purchase than their conventional counterparts.

The main ground for this significant price difference is the limited supply of organic products, leading to higher market demand. Because of lower production inputs, higher demand for organic products, and higher prices that can be charged, organic farmers may achieve a comparable amount of efficiency. This helps organic growers become strong and capable market competitors instead of conventional farmers.

Top Reasons to Farm Organic

Organic farming doesn’t merely mean going ‘back’ to conventional methods. On the contrary, many farming ways used in the past are still being used today. However, organic farming takes the top of older, more traditional farming techniques and unites them with modern scientific knowledge.

Therefore, should farmers swap to organic farming or modernize through conventional farming techniques?

The answer depends on several factors. These include the type of farm, the location, the crop in question, and the production purpose.