Organic Farming ……a way of healthy living

Far from being a “luxury for the rich,” organic farming may turn out to be a necessity not just for the poor, but for everyone. 

Organic farming is an agricultural system which originated early in the 20th century in reaction to rapidly changing farming practices. It is defined by the use of fertilizers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure, and bone meal and places emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting. Biological pest control, mixed cropping and the fostering of insect predators are encouraged. 

Organic farming is a technique that involves the cultivation of plants and rearing of animals in natural ways. This process involves the use of biological materials, avoiding synthetic substances to maintain soil fertility and ecological balance thereby minimizing pollution and wastage. Organic farming is based on principles like crop rotation, green manure, organic waste, and avoid the use of various petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides. 

 

Difference between Organic and Modern farming methods- In conventional methods farmers use harsh chemicals to remove fungicides whereas in organic farming farmers prepare natural fertilizers like manure, etc. Moreover while consuming conventional farming will absorb the pesticides and weedicide resides into the body which might lead to developing a dangerous disease like cancer etc. 

 

Reasons for Organic Farming 

·         To accurate the benefits of nutrients 

·         Natural and better taste 

·         Healthy living style  

Benefits of Organic farming 

·         Better Nutrition 

·         Help us stay healthy 

·         Free of poison 

·         Enhanced taste 

·         Longer shelf life 

The benefits of choosing organic foods and products are many like higher level of antioxidants and less as well as absence of harmful chemicals and preservatives. The food grows in organic way also tastes better than the conventional method. 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 derived include soil forming and conditioning, soil stabilization, waste recycling, carbon sequestration, nutrients cycling, predation, pollination and habitats. The hidden costs of agriculture to the environment in terms of natural resource degradation are reduced. 

Sugyan Mohanty