A possibility for healthy
food & safe environment
Organic farming involves using techniques to produce good
crop yields without harming the natural ecosystem or the
people who live and work in it and completely relies on
ecosystem management and attempts to reduce or eliminate
synthetic agricultural inputs. Concept of organic farming is
in process around the globe. During 2012-13, there is an
increase of agriculture land regarding organic farming and
total 69 million hectare area is organic in the world.
It is a farming system that focuses on production of
plants/crops without using synthetic or artificial chemicals
(including fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, plant growth
regulators and genetically modified organisms).
It works in harmony with nature rather than against it.
Organic farming involves using techniques to produce good
crop yields without harming the natural ecosystem or the
people who live and work in it and completely relies on
ecosystem management and attempts to reduce or eliminate
synthetic agricultural inputs.
Concept of organic farming is in process around the
globe. During 2012-13, there is an increase of agriculture
land regarding organic farming and total 69 million hectare
area is organic in the world.
The population of the planet is skyrocketing and
providing food for the world is becoming extremely
difficult. The need of the hour is sustainable cultivation
and production of food for all.
With the advent of Green Revolution in the second half of
20th century, farmers began to use technological advances
such as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides to
boost yields.
These synthetic chemicals help to enhance crop
productivity, but they are harmful too. They are simply
destroying our natural ecosystem in many ways; intensive
farming leading towards soil degradation.
Continuous farming promotes wind and soil erosion, loss
of organic matter and biological life in soil. Chemical
fertilizer use on crops has adverse effects on waterways
caused by chemical runoff of excess fertilizer. The
over-abundance of nutrients reduces the oxygen in water,
which results in death of fishes.
Over-use of synthetic fertilizers result in soil
acidification, because of low amount organic matter in soil.
Unabsorbed nitrogen goes into the air and contributes in
green house gases and air pollution.
Synthetic fertilizers kill a huge amount of soil
microorganisms; these microorganisms usually break down
organic matter into plant nutrients, and convert nitrogen
from air into plant usable form.
Synthetic pesticides and herbicides inhibit the storage
of Nitrogen and other essentials in the soil. They percolate
into the soil by the action of rain water and get mixed with
ground water. Spraying of herbicides makes them lighter and
toxic compounds to be suspended into the air which in turn
causes air borne diseases and nasal infections.
Draining of these chemicals contaminate the water source
and cause loss of living beings that feeds the water. These
pesticides are also causal agents of various diseases; James
Cleeton claims that "women with breast cancer are five to
nine times more likely to have pesticide residues in their
blood than those who do not.
Hormone dependent cancers, such as prostrate and breast
cancer may be via endocrine disrupting chemicals such as
2,4-D and Atrazine (Both are herbicides).
Major features of organic farming are:
Development of sustainable agriculture production system
that ensured adequate food production in future.
Production of nutritious food, feed for animals and high
quality crops to sell at good price
Protection of soil quality by use of organic material and
enhancing the biological activity in soil
Nitrogen fixation in soils using legumes
Provision of nutrients to crops by using soil
microorganisms
There should integrated disease, weeds and pest management
through different methods such as crop rotation, natural
predators, organic manures, biological diversity and
suitable thermal, chemical and biological intervention
Ensure that water stays clean and safe
Conservation of soil, water and environment by practicing
eco-friendly strategies.
Development of self-sufficient agriculture process that
mainly depends upon natural resources
Use resources which the farmer already has, so the farmer
needs less money to buy farm inputs
Cultural practices during organic farming are performed
from seed sowing up to harvesting of crops. Soil is main
asset in agriculture, in organic farming there is minimum
disturbance of soil so, its management is basic principle.
First select those crops which have deep root in this
way, need for ploughing will be reduced then use mechanical
method with low damage. In organic farming there is no pre
sowing seed treatment against insect pests and diseases. To
produce healthy crop an organic farmer needs to manage the
soil well.
Feeding the soil with organic manure or composts is
beneficial and soil turns this material into food for plant
growth. This also enhances organic matter in soil. Green
manures are also very valuable source of nutrition. One
thing should remember that using too much manure or using at
wrong time could be as harmful as synthetic fertilizers. So,
right source should apply at right time and right rate.
Each crop and crop variety has its own requirements,
crops are affected by; type of soil, precipitation,
altitude, temperature, requirement of water and nutrients.
These factors affect crop growth and yield. Crops should
select after keeping in view these factors.
Crop rotations are important that growing of crops in
such a sequence one after other that fertility status of
soil may not affected. Best irrigation method function is to
supply optimum water according to crop need. Organic matter
contents can enhance the water holding capacity of soil.
Mulches can also be used for this purpose. Mulching is a
useful strategy as it prevents from soil erosion, reduce
weeds growth and water loss and increase number of
microorganisms in top soil. On an organic form weeds should
controlled by hoeing, mulching and crop rotation. In organic
farming first focused should be on selection of those crops
which are resistant to pest.
There are some benefits of organic farming;
Farmers have low production costs because they do not need
to buy expensive chemicals and fertilizers.
Better mineral content in foods, better nutrition, fewer
residues in food and free of poison food
Longer shelflife of organic products
Organically grown crops are naturally drought resistant.
It slows down global warming
Organic farms save energy and protect the environment.
Organic farming is not acclaimed in world because of low
productivity as compared to conventional farming. But
everyone admire that this farming is eco-friendly.
Nobel
Prize-winning plant breeder and father of Green Revolution
Norman Borlaug supported organic farming in respect to
environment friendly practice.Organic farming is preferred
as it battles pests and weeds in a non-toxic manner,
involves less input costs for cultivation and preserves the
ecological balance while promoting biological diversity and
protection of the environment.
September, 2015
By
Usman Zulfiqar
University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad
Source:
Pakissan Team