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Organic farming refers to the technique of growing or producing crops and other livestock without the use of inorganic chemical fertilizers, synthetic chemicals, and other harmful substances such as pesticides, insect repellents, etc. Organic farming increases the productivity of farming fields while also increasing economic growth, resulting in a more sustainable environment. After knowing the harmful effects of chemicals and fertilizers, farmers have switched to organic farming, which carries a lot of benefits as it is eco-friendly and also helps to reduce soil infertility and soil erosion problems. Instead of using harmful chemicals and fertilizers, organic farming uses biological fertilizers and pesticides produced mostly from animal and plant wastes. Nitrogen-fixing crops are also used in this type of farming.
| Table of Contents |
Key Takeaways: Agriculture, organic farming, fertilizers, pesticides, cropping systems, plant nutrients, sustainable agriculture
What is Agriculture and Organic Farming?
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The produce of Agriculture thrives on the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and more which are expected to improve the agro-ecosystem. However, traditionally, these fertilizers or pest controls are made using chemicals and synthetic substances that can lower the quality of yield while increasing the quantity. Organic farming works to eliminate this issue and uses natural, eco-friendly plant based fertilizers and pest controls to ensure the produce has no artificial substance in it.
Types of Agriculture
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Following are the main type of agriculture based on geographical factors, demand for produce, labor, and level of technology.
- Subsistence agriculture
- Primitive Subsistence Agriculture
- Subsistence agriculture: Subsistence agriculture is characterized by farming regions that consume all, or virtually all, of the locally cultivated crops. It can be classified into
- Primitive Subsistence Agriculture: it includes shifting cultivation and nomadic herding:
Cultivation: is the practice of clearing a parcel of land by felling and burning trees. After that, the ashes are mixed with the soil, and maize, yam, potatoes, and cassava are cultivated. The land is abandoned as the soil loses its fertility, and the farmer transfers to a new plot.
Nomadic herding: is a practice in which Herders move their animals from place to place for food and water, following well-defined paths. This form of movement occurs as a result of climate and geographical restrictions. The most frequent livestock are sheep, camels, yaks, and goats. They offer the herders and their families milk, meat, wool, skins, and other items.
Intensive Subsistence Agriculture: The farmer cultivates a tiny area of land using minimal equipment and greater labor in intense subsistence agriculture. A climate with a large number of sunny days and fertile soils allows more than one crop to be grown on the same plot each year. The principal crop is rice. Wheat, maize, legumes, and oilseeds are among the other crops. In the densely inhabited areas of the monsoon regions of the south, southeast, and east Asia, intensive subsistence agriculture is common.
Primitive subsistence agriculture: is carried out on small plots of land using simple tools such as hoes, Daos, and digging sticks, as well as family and community labor. Monsoon, natural soil fertility, and other environmental conditions that are suitable for the crops grown are all factors that influence this type of farming.
Types of Organic Farming
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Organic farming is of two types: Pure Organic Farming and Integrated Organic Farming.
1) Pure Organic Farming: In pure organic farming, all artificial chemicals are avoided. All of the fertilizers and herbicides used here come from natural sources, such as bone meal or blood meal (dried and powdered animal blood and ground animal bones).
2) Integrated Organic Farming: It is a zero-waste, cyclical process in which waste products from one process are recycled into nutrients for other processes. This provides the most efficient use of resources, which boosts production efficiency.
Read More: Crop Production
Need of Organic Farming
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Organic farming works using natural, eco-friendly plant based fertilizers and pest controls to ensure the produce has no artificial substance in it. The points given below will help you understand what is the need of organic farming in today’s world.
- The organic food industry is rapidly expanding and is becoming profitable.
- It provides a solution for environmental sustainability as well as food security.
- It contributes to the improvement of human health.
- Food produced through organic farming is rich in nutrients.
- In terms of flavor, organic foods are tastier than other foods.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Organic Farming
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There are various advantages and disadvantages of organic farming which must be considered.
Advantages of Organic Farming
- Improves human health
- It avoids soil pollution and supports pollinators
- Protection against insects
- It is comparatively more sustainable
- Wastes collected from organic farming can be recycled and reused
- It tastes better
- It is more nutritious
Disadvantages of Organic Farming
- Significant cost at the beginning
- Not suitable for growing on a large scale
- Product can be expensive for poor people
- High certification cost
- Most organic farmers do not receive any financial assistance
- It is time-consuming
- Organic crops spoil more quickly
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| Binomial Nomenclature | Taxonomy | Taxonomic Hierarchy of Plants and Animals |
Things to Remember
- Organic farming does not involve any type of harmful chemical fertilizer and pesticide which is why it is healthier.
- It helps to restore and maintain ecological balance.
- It decreases the risk of human and animal illness by lowering the number of residues in the product.
- Organic wastes are easily recyclable and reusable.
Sample Questions
Ques: What is organic farming and how does it promote sustainable development? (2 marks)
Ans: Organic farming refers to the technique of growing or producing crops and other livestock without the use of inorganic chemical fertilizers, synthetic chemicals, and other harmful substances such as pesticides, insect repellents, etc.
They promote sustainable development as they are grown without using fertilizers or pesticides.
Ques: Identify the benefits and limitations of organic farming. (3 marks)
Ans: Benefits of organic farming:
- Planting crops in organic farming does not necessitate the use of costly fertilizers, pesticides, or HYV seeds. As a result, there is no additional cost.
- A farmer can make a good return on investment using local inputs.
- Organic foods are nutritious and healthy.
- As there are no chemicals involved it is eco-friendly.
- The organic food industry is rapidly expanding and is becoming profitable.
Limitations of organic farming:
- Many farmers are unaware of the importance of organic food.
- Farmers lack the necessary infrastructure to cultivate and market their crops.
- Farmers lack marketing skills on how to sell their products.
- Organic crops spoil more quickly.
- It cannot be done in offseason.
Ques: Enlist some problems faced by farmers during the initial year of organic farming. (3 marks)
Ans. Farmers are facing many problems during the initial year of organic farming. We’ve listed some of common problems faced by farmers:
- Farmers lack the necessary infrastructure to cultivate and market their crops.
- Farmers lack marketing skills on how to sell their products.
- Yield from organic farming is lesser than conventional farming.
- Organically grown crops have a shorter shelf life.
- It cannot be done in offseason.
Ques: What do you Understand from the Concept of Organic Farming? (2 marks)
Ans: It is clear from the definition of organic farming that the goal of organic farming is to improve the ecosystem. Furthermore, organic farming is the answer to the Indian agricultural sector's search for sustainable development without depletion of natural resources, which will undoubtedly aid us in restoring the country's ecological balance.
Ques: What are the types of organic farming? (3 marks)
Ans: Organic farming is of two types: Pure Organic Farming and Integrated Organic Farming.
1) Pure Organic Farming: In pure organic farming, all artificial chemicals are avoided. All of the fertilizers and herbicides used here come from natural sources, such as bone meal or blood meal (dried and powdered animal blood and ground animal bones).
2) Integrated Organic Farming: It is a zero-waste, cyclical process in which waste products from one process are recycled into nutrients for other processes. This provides the most efficient use of resources, which boosts production efficiency.
Ques: Mention the advantages and disadvantages of organic farming. (3 marks)
Ans. There are various advantages and disadvantages of organic farming which must be considered.
Advantages of Organic Farming
- Improves human health
- It avoids soil pollution and supports pollinators
- Protection against insects
- It is comparatively more sustainable
- Wastes collected from organic farming can be recycled and reused
- It tastes better
- It is more nutritious
Disadvantages of Organic Farming
- Significant cost at the beginning
- Not suitable for growing on a large scale
- Product can be expensive for poor people
- High certification cost
- Most organic farmers do not receive any financial assistance
- It is time-consuming
- Organic crops spoil more quickly
Ques: Why is organic farming preferred over conventional farming? (3 marks)
Ans: Increased greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, water pollution, and human health are all consequences of conventional agriculture while organic farming reduces carbon emissions, improves soil health, and replenishes natural ecosystems for cleaner water and air, all while avoiding toxic pesticide residues.
Ques: What is the need of practicing Organic Farming? (3 marks)
Ans: Below are the reasons why organic farming needs to be practiced:
- The organic food industry is rapidly expanding and is becoming profitable.
- It provides a solution for environmental sustainability as well as food security.
- It contributes to the improvement of human health.
- Food produced through organic farming is rich in nutrients.
- In terms of flavor, organic foods are tastier than other foods
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