Organic farming techniques -
In the EU, organic farming and organic food are more commonly known as ecological or biological. The regulation is derived from the guidelines of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements IFOAM , which is an association of about member organizations in countries.
As in the rest of the world, the organic market in Europe continues to grow and more land is farmed organically each year. Denmark has a long ongoing support for converting conventional farming into organic farming, which has been taught in academic classes in universities since The state began substitutes and has promoted a special national label for products that qualify as organic since Denmark is thus the first country in the world to substitute organic farming, promoting the concept and organizing the distribution of organic products.
This financial support has in recent years been cut due to organic farming increasing in profitability, and some goods surpassing the profitability of conventional farming in domestic markets.
In general, the financial situation of organic farmers in Denmark boomed between and , while in serious nationwide long-lasting droughts stagnated the economic results of organic farmers; however, the average farmer still achieved a net positive result that year.
The first Danish private development organisation, SamsØkologisk, was established in , by veteran organic farmers from the existing organisation Økologisk Samsø.
The development organisation has intentions to buy and invest in farmland and then lend the land to young and aspiring farmers seeking to get into farming, especially organic farming.
This organisation reports economical active members as of , but does not publish the amount of acquired land or active lenders. However, the organic farming concept in Denmark is often not limited to organic farming as the definition is globally.
Instead, the majority of organic farming is instead "ecological farming". The development of this concept has been parallel with the general organic farming movement, and is most often used interchangeable with organic farming.
Thus, there is a much stronger focus on the environmental and especially the ecological impact of ecological farming than organic farming. For these reasons, international organic products do not fulfill the requirements of ecological farming and thus do not receive the domestic label for ecological products, rather they receive the standard European Union organic label.
The Chinese government, especially the local government, has provided various supports for the development of organic agriculture since the s. Organic farming has been recognized by local governments for its potential in promoting sustainable rural development.
The government also establishes demonstration organic gardens, provides training for organic food companies to pass certifications, subsidizes organic certification fees, pest repellent lamps, organic fertilizer and so on.
The government has also been playing an active role in marketing organic products through organizing organic food expos and branding supports.
The South Indian state Andhra Pradesh is also promoting organic farming, especially Zero Budget Natural Farming ZBNF which is a form of regenerative agriculture.
The Dominican Republic has successfully converted a large amount of its banana crop to organic. The most noticeable change in Korea's agriculture occurred throughout the s and s.
More specifically, the " Green Revolution " [] program where South Korea experienced reforestations and agricultural revolution. Due to a food shortage during Park Chung Hee 's presidency, the government encouraged rice varieties suited for organic farming.
In modern society, organic farming and food policies have changed, more specifically since the s. As expected, the guidelines focus on basic dietary recommendations for consumption of nutrients and Korean-style diets.
In Thailand, the Institute for Sustainable Agricultural Communities ISAC was established in to promote organic farming among other sustainable agricultural practices. The national target via the National Plan for Organic Farming is to attain, by , 1. Much progress has been made: [] [] [].
The United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development USDARD was created in as a subsection of the USDA that implements programs to stimulate growth in rural communities.
in when compared to Employment on organic farms offers potentially large numbers of jobs for people, and this may better manage the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Moreover, sustainable forestry, fishing, and mining, and other conservation-oriented activities provide larger numbers of jobs than more fossil fuel and mechanized work.
As was the case with most countries, Sri Lanka made the transition away from organic farming upon the arrival of the Green Revolution, whereupon it started depending more on chemical fertilizers.
This became a highly popularized method when the nation started offering subsidies on the import of artificial fertilizers to increase rice paddy production, and to incentivize farmers to switch from growing traditional varieties into using high yielding varieties HYVs.
Some even resorted to organic farming or utilizing insecticide free fertilizers for their crops. Horgan and E. Kudavidanage, the researchers compared crop yields of farmers in Sri Lanka who employed distinct farming techniques including organic farmers who grew traditional varieties, and insecticide-free fertilizer users and pesticide users who grew modern varieties.
Regardless, many farmers continued to use insecticides to avoid the predicted dangers of pests to their crops, and the cheap sale of agrochemicals provided an easy approach to augment crop growth. Additionally, while organic farming has health benefits, it's a strenuous task which requires more man power.
Thus, most farmers relied on modern methods to run their household, especially after the economic stressors brought on by COVID However, while Sri Lanka was still facing the new challenges of the pandemic, in the presidential election campaign, the president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa proposed a year, national transition to organic farming to declare Sri Lanka as the first nation to be known for its organic produce.
This included fears that the mandate would harm the yields of the country's major crops despite claims to the contrary , that the country would not be able to produce enough organic fertilizer domestically, and organic farming being more expensive and complex than conventional agriculture.
Of special concern was rice and tea , which are a staple food and major export respectively. Despite it being a record crop in the first half of , the tea crop began to decline in July of that year.
In November , the country partially lifted the ban on inorganic farming for certain key crops such as rubber and tea, and began to offer compensation and subsidies to farmers and rice producers in an attempt to cover losses.
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Main article: History of organic farming. See also: Biological pest control and Integrated Pest Management. Main articles: Genetically modified crops , Genetically modified food , and Genetically modified food controversies. Main article: Organic certification.
Main article: Organic food. Main article: Soil conservation. Main article: Organic farming and biodiversity. This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. March Agroecology Biointensive Biological pest control Certified Naturally Grown Holistic management agriculture List of countries by organic farmland List of organic food topics List of organic gardening and farming topics List of pest-repelling plants Natural Farming Organic farming by continent Organic lawn management Organic movement Organic food culture Permaculture.
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Ecological Applications. Soil Systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. When the same crop is grown on the same land year after year, known as mono-cropping , the soil can become depleted of nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Variety here really is the spice of life. There is also a variety of sustainable and organic management techniques used in raising livestock, depending on the types of animals on the farm.
In the next section, we'll look at genetically modified crops and why many countries refuse to grow them. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to creating an organic garden in your yard, but we've collected a few easy tips for you to try:. All livestock share the same basic standards of care in order to be considered organically raised, including humane treatment and living conditions similar to the animals' natural habitat.
They are fed a diet of percent organic feed products; they do not receive hormones to promote growth, nor are they given antibiotics for any reason, although they may be given vaccinations as preventative care.
These methods are significantly different from conventional farming methods. Before the s, farms practiced what we'd now consider organic farming methods. However, a revolution in agricultural technologies around the beginning of the 20th century, and specifically after World War II, reshaped the way farmers managed crops; as a result, productivity skyrocketed.
Conventional farmers take advantage of the latest scientific and agricultural technological advances meant for greater efficiency and high output, including chemical and synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, mono-cropping, genetic-engineering and modification in seeds and breeds and antibiotic and hormone use in livestock.
Genetically modified crops , also known as GM or GMOs genetically modified, or genetically modified organisms , are plants with altered DNA , giving them greater resistance to herbicides or improved nutritional content.
GM foods were originally intended to reduce disease in crops, leading to larger output at less cost. According to the United States Department of Agriculture USDA , there are more than 40 plant varieties that have met federal requirements so far.
There are several criticisms of GM foods , including risks to both human health and to our environment. In humans, GM foods are assessed for nutritional content, toxicity levels and any allergic reactions that might occur from eating them.
Of concern to the environment is the possibility that a GMO can be introduced into wild populations, with the development of pesticide-resistant insects. Possible detrimental consequences to plant and wildlife biodiversity are also under investigation.
Unlike the strict standards in place for organic farmers, there is no mandate that foods containing GMOs must be labeled as such in the U. At the 12th Scientific Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements IFOAM in , more than 60 countries voted unanimously against the use of GMOs in food production and agriculture because they felt there were unacceptable risks involved: threats to human health, a negative and irreversible environmental impact, incompatibility with sustainable agriculture, and a violation of rights for both farmers and consumers.
Growing your own produce can minimize any anxiety you may have about where your food comes from, but not all of us were born with a green thumb. Finding organic products is getting easier, and your local grocery store may be stocking more than you remember seeing last time you looked.
Another place where you can feel good about the tomatoes you buy is at your local farmers' market, and depending on where you live, you may be able to join a local co-op or buy a share in a community-supported organic farm. Or, try ordering by mail or online -- some producers will ship.
In the next section, we'll discuss the government standards for organic farming and how organic farmers become certified. Ask a few conventional farmers why they haven't transitioned to organic farming and each will give you a different answer.
The answers usually have to do with one larger reason, though: agricultural economics. Some studies show organic farms produce smaller yields than conventional farms; organic farms yield only 75 to 90 percent of the crop of conventional farms.
Farming organic foods and products requires meeting federal rules and regulations, often making the process more labor and management intensive. It takes about three years to transition from conventional farming techniques to organic methods, and it requires documentation of an organic plan along with additional paperwork and inspections.
In , the U. Congress adopted the Organic Foods Production Act OFPA as part of the Farm Bill , and the USDA issued uniform standards used to certify organic methods. All products sold as organic must come from certified producers.
Since , the USDA's National Organic Program NOP oversees organic certification. Third-party independent organizations accredited by the USDA handle evaluations and inspections of producers, processors and handlers -- it's not just the farmers who must follow the rules, but also the people they work with -- to determine whether or not they uphold organic methods and practices.
Those who meet the guidelines are certified and allowed to use organic labeling and to market their products as organic.
USDA regulations allow products with at least 95 percent organic ingredients to be labeled "USDA Organic" [source: USDA ]. Organic certification is costly but is not intended to be prohibitive.
Data shows that only 0. While the government is not spending its money on organics, consumers are. The market grew 20 percent to 24 percent annually during the s. And recently the Hartman Group reported that 90 percent of American consumers were either buying or considering buying organic products, up from 60 percent two years ago [source: Hartman Group ].
Organics get good press because they appear in studies to be healthier for our planet and us. The American Cancer Society estimates that 85 percent of cancers are from environmental toxins, such as pesticides, and not from genetic causes. Eating an organic diet as prescribed by federal guidelines has shown in a study supported by the Environmental Protection Agency to decrease detectable levels of pesticides in children.
Current studies also confirm that organic farming is good for the environment: It requires less water , there are fewer toxic pesticides released, soil erosion is minimal, and a recent study by the Soil Association saw improved nutrient levels in organic foods [source: Soil Association ].
Researchers are continuing to look at ways to improve upon organic farming practices, including methods of animal health care such as homeopathy , uses of organic pesticides and the environmental impacts of organic and conventional farming.
In the next section, we will look at the criticisms of organic farming along with how organic farming may cure some ills of the modern-day agriculture industry. Austrian scientist Rudolf Steiner, a freethinker who combined methods of organic farming with spirituality, introduced biodynamic agriculture in Biodynamic farming is a nonchemical agricultural movement that emphasizes the health-giving forces of nature and predates organic agriculture by about 20 years.
Methods unique to biodynamic farming include herbal and mineral additives in compost and the use of an astronomical calendar with which to base planting and harvesting. There are mixed feelings from conventional farmers and the agricultural industry about organic farming.
Many in the industry are not convinced organic foods are more nutritious or that organic methods trump scientific advances, citing for example that farming with Genetically Modified Organisms GMOs to help lessen world hunger outweighs any potential environmental risk.
Restricted use of antibiotics in organic farming has led to concern about high levels of microbes in manure, in turn causing food poisoning such as E. There is a lack of sufficient evidence to prove organics suffer from a higher than conventional level of microbes, but right now studies favor organic products.
The Soil Association suggests the handling of manures on organic farms are actually more likely to reduce levels of organisms, and that less than 5 percent of food poisoning outbreaks are due to fruit and vegetable contamination.
Research continues to be conducted on the use of organic waste in all types of farming. Additionally, a report in suggests organic and free-range chickens might be more likely to have Campylobacter infections, a known cause of food poisoning.
Subsequent studies are underway. Even as organic farming methods work to protect the environment by building healthy soils and emphasizing natural systems, without proper management and knowledge, organic practices can create pathogen problems. The environmental benefits of organic farming are a hotly debated topic, and researchers continue to study how sustainable methods may help cure -- or at least help negate -- some of the effects of any environmental hazards produced by the modern-day agricultural system, hopefully reducing levels of chemicals put into the soil and atmosphere and our bodies.
Conventional wisdom follows that the more we understand about our food sources and how they affect our bodies and the environment, the better. com article:. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close.
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Demand for organic products has increased in the wake of food-industry related scares like mad cow disease. Contents Composting and Crop Rotation Genetically Modified Foods Organic Standards and Certifications Organic Farming Criticism. Composting and Crop Rotation " " New York Department of Parks and Recreation workers load Christmas trees into a mulch machine for use in compost and landscaping.
Yard trimmings -- wood chips, grass clippings and leaves Food waste -- coffee grounds, tea bags, and fruits and vegetables Manures -- poultry, cow and horse.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Partially Spelt grain nutrition. Monosaturated fat. Low fat. Reduced fat. As if Organic farming techniques deciphering wasn't techniqyes difficult, fafming now facing down labels claiming a variety of organic messages, many with happy, smiling cartoon cows. The organic food trend that began making headlines in now appears to be a mainstream lifestyle for some -- which translates into big business. Organic agriculture is fzrming production system that Vibrant Tropical Fruit Salad the Organuc of Organic farming techniques, techiques, and people. Organic farming techniques farmers rely on Metabolism-boosting herbs processes, technoques, and Sugar-Free Beverages adapted to local conditions rather than the use of synthetic inputs like chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. GMOs are not allowed in organic. The essential difference between organic and conventional farming is that conventional farming relies on chemical intervention to fight pests and weeds and provide plant nutrition. That means synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
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