Role of Organic Farming

What is the role of organic farming in making future of Agriculture?

( by Neha Soni )

Agriculture is one of the leading sources of food within the World. Human has sacrificed its natural resources for economic development from the period of human civilization to the trendy world. Within the evolutionary period of agriculture, people used the practice of slash and burn agriculture, commonly called Jhum cultivation, where farmers cut down the trees of the forest and burn the plant remains. The ash is employed as a fertilizer and therefore the land is then used for farming or cattle grazing. After cultivation, the area is left for several years to permit its recovery. The farmers then advance to other areas and repeat the method. In earlier days, when Slash and Burn cultivation was in prevalence, enough time-gap was given specified that the land recovered from the effect of cultivation. With increasing population, and repeated cultivation, this recovery phase is completed away with, leading to deforestation.

Problems with traditional farming:-

Traditional farming is a primitive way of farming that involves the intensive use of indigenous knowledge, traditional tools, natural resources, plant food, and cultural beliefs of the farmers. It is the foremost easy way of farming but it harms human beings and the environment, such as:-

1) Soil erosion

2) Monoculture

3) Soil Pollution

4) Pesticide resistance

5) Eutrophication

6) Water depletion

7) Soil salinization

What is organic farming?

Organic farming is the method within which insects that are sometimes called pests aren't eradicated, but instead are kept at manageable levels by a complicated system of checks and balances within a living and vibrant ecosystem. The organic farmer holds the view that eradication of the creatures that are commonly known as undesirable pests is not correct because without them the beneficial predatory and parasitic insects which depend on them as food or hosts wouldn't be ready to survive. So this method involves growing and nurturing of crops without the utilization of pesticides and fertilizers.

Need to switch to organic farming:-

·       Better for the environment- Organic farming involves biological control for pests and diseases which successively helps the soil to not degrade. Organic farmers use natural methods for fertilization and pest control, like crop rotation, composting, and manure.

·       Better for health- Use of bio-control measures will greatly reduce our dependence on toxic chemicals and pesticides.

·       Better for animals- A very important part of the biological farming approach is to become accustomed to the varied life forms that inhabit the sector, predators additionally as pests, and also their life cycles, patterns of feeding, and therefore the habitats in which they survive.

Future of organic farming:-

Growing concern for health and also the requirement of consuming healthy food products is making the patrons buy organically produced food products. This changing consumer behaviour also has a sway on farmers to switch. Changing customer attitudes have also made an impact on the organic farming groups to become more organized.

·       FOOD- Organic farming will continue where consumers believe organic food is superior, where farmers can obtain higher prizes from being certified organic and where it's not economically viable to use fertilizers and pesticides.

·       AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE- Thanks to the employment of organic farming we have got been able to produce crops by using the least harmful cropping methods. This helps people in the sustainable growth and increased usage of products. This has facilitated massive growth and indicates that further advances by agricultural science within the pipeline will help sustain adequate food production.

·       WATER- Pollution of groundwater courses with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is a larger problem. As the employment of these is prohibited in organic agriculture, they are replaced by organic fertilizers which help in environment moderation and enhancing soil fertility. In some areas where pollution is a real problem, conversion to organic agriculture is extremely encouraged as a restorative measure.

·       ECOLOGICAL SERVICES- The impact of organic agriculture on natural resources favours interactions within the agro-ecosystem that is vital for both agricultural production and nature conservation. Ecological services include soil formation, soil stabilization, waste recycling, and nutrient cycling, provide wildlife habitats, pollinate crops, and also provide cultural, spiritual, and aesthetic pleasure. By choosing organic products, the buyer through their purchasing power promotes a less polluting agricultural system.

Impact of organic farming:-

·       Educating farmers- Education and the age of the farmer play an important role in organic farming. For organic farmers, there is a dependency between the level of education and the economic outcome of organic farmers according to the basics of sciences such as biology, chemistry, technology, techniques, economy, and even sociology.

Only this combination between the traditional and scientific knowledge makes the development of organic farming possible.

·       Support to the local and regional economy- Organic farming creates real opportunities on several levels, contributing to rural economies through sustainable development. The supply of economic support and other incentives for farmers to convert to organic production is intended to assist the sector to grow still further and to support associated businesses throughout the organic phenomenon.

 

For this current crisis in health, economy, and environment we have to adopt a method that involves an integrated system that offers equal importance to all or any sustainability dimensions across the worth chain and thus help to maintain and develop a healthy society.

Education plays an important role in opting for the new agriculture mode. We should try to give education to children who are not privileged.

We at Light de literacy (LDL) provide free education to underprivileged students to help them to build their careers.

LDL is an NGO, run by a group of socially active, determined & educated youths who have been working for children living in slums since 2012. This NGO shows the vision for the future guided by the motto Educate * Empower * Enlighten.

Disclaimer:-

The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Light de Literacy and LDL does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.