Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that doesn't involve the use of pesticides, fertilizer, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones. Organic farming promotes the use of crop rotations and cover crops and encourages balanced host/predator relationships. Organic residues and nutrients produced on the farm are recycled back to the soil, cover crops and composted manure are used to maintain soil organic matter and fertility.
Why organic farming
The main objectives of organic farming include the following:
- To maintain long-term soil fertility by optimizing conditions for biological activity within the soil.
- To maintain biological diversity within the system
- To protect the environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, optimize biological productivity.
- To recycle materials and resources to the greatest extent possible within the enterprise.
Benefits of Organic farming
To assure the benefits of nutrients
Crops from organic farms are loaded with nutrients such as vitamins enzymes, minerals, and other micronutrient compared to those from conventional farms. Studies from researchers proof that organic farm produces have more nutrients than those from conventional farms.
Natural and better taste
Those that have tasted organically farmed produce would attest to the fact that they have a natural and better taste. The natural and superior taste stems from the well balanced and nourished soil.
Helps us stay healthy
Organic produce does not contain any chemical. This is because organic farmers don’t use chemicals at any stage of the crop-growing process. Organic farmers use natural farming techniques that don’t harm humans and environment. Organic crops keep dangerous diseases like cancer and diabetes at bay.
Free of poison
Organic farming does not make use of poisonous chemicals, pesticides, and weedicides. Studies reveal that a large section of the population fed on toxic substances used in conventional agriculture have fallen prey to diseases like cancer. As organic farming avoids these toxins, it reduces the sickness and diseases due to them.
Low cost of production
There is a big misconception that organic crops are relatively expensive. The truth is that they are actually cheaper because they don’t require the application of expensive pesticides, insecticides, and weedicides. In fact, you can get organic crops directly from the source at reasonable prices.
Organic farming methods are eco-friendly
In conventional farms, the chemicals applied infiltrate into the soil and severely contaminate it and nearby water sources. Plantlife, animals, and humans are all impacted by this phenomenon. Organic farming does not utilize these harsh chemicals so, the environment remains protected.
Longer shelf-life
Organic plants have greater metabolic and structural integrity in their cellular structure than conventional crops. This enables storage of organic crops for a longer time.
Some common practices of organic farming include:
- Wide crop rotation
- Very strict limits on chemical synthetic pesticide and synthetic fertilizer use
- Absolute prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms.
- Taking advantage of on-site resources, such as livestock manure for fertilizer
- Choosing plants that are resistant to disease and adapted to local conditions.
I would stop here and write concisely in subsequent post.
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