This document discusses organic farming of medicinal plants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. It defines organic farming as avoiding synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and other additives, and instead using techniques like crop rotation, manure application, and beneficial insect populations to maintain soil fertility. The document outlines 15 principles of organic farming including sustainable production, soil maintenance, resource efficiency, and social well-being. It provides details on integrated pest management, organic fertilizers, and other organic techniques for medicinal plant cultivation. The conclusion emphasizes that organic and biological farming can produce self-sustaining, cost-effective, and healthy crops for domestic and export markets.

2. Medicinal
Plants Their Organic Production
in KPK.
By
Allah Dad Khan,
Former .
Director General
Agriculture
Extension KPKProvince
Allahdad52@gmail.com
03329221298

4. What is Organic Farming
Organic farming is a production system which avoids or excludes the use of synthetic
preparations-artificial fertilizers, pesticides, growth accelerators and fodder additives. As an
alternative to these means, OF applies a number of modern preventive methods to maintain
the natural soil fertility, such as:
1− Alternating sowing of cultures (with leguminous plants inclusive)
2− Suited use of manure
3− Stimulating the populations of useful insects (entomophages and pathogens for the
pests)
4− Vegetation associations (combined cultivation of two or more cultures in one and the
same place)
5− Use of mechanical methods for weed control
6− Use of sustainable plant varieties and live stock breeds that are well adapted to the
relevant environmental conditions

5. Top 10 Reasons to Support Organic Farming in the 21st Century
1. Reduce The Toxic Load: Keep Chemicals Out of the Air, Water, Soil and our Bodies.
2. Reduce if Not Eliminate Off Farm Pollution.
3. Protect Future Generations
4. Build Healthy Soil
5. Taste Better and Truer Flavor
6. Assist Family Farmers of all Sizes
7. Avoid Hasty and Poor Science in Your Food
8. Eating with a Sense of Place
9. Promote Biodiversity
10. Celebrate the Culture of Agriculture
11.Sustainable agriculture production1
12.Restoration of Soil Fertility
13.Production of Quality foods
14.Avoidation of pollution of soil and ground water
15.Water and air including low cost technology

6. Principlesof organic Farming
Following the above mentioned principles and processes ensure to archive the main principles
of International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), which are:
1. Production of enough high quality and nutritious food.
2. Organic farming, pastoral and wild harvest systems should fit the cycles and ecological balances in
nature. Organic management must be adapted to local conditions, ecology, culture and scale.
3. Maintenance of natural soil fertility
4. Inputs should be reduced by reuse, recycling and efficient management of materials and
energy in order to maintain and improve environmental quality and conserve resources.
5. Organic agriculture should provide everyone involved with a good quality of life, and contribute to
food sovereignty and reduction of poverty
6. 6. Practitioners of organic agriculture can enhance efficiency and increase productivity, but this
should not be at the risk of health and well-being. Consequently, any harmful action should be
stopped

7. Basic Steps of Organic Farming
Organic farming approach involves following five steps
1. Conversion of land from conventional management to organic management
2. Management of the entire surrounding system to ensure biodiversity and
sustainability of the system
3. Crop production with the use of alternative sources of nutrients such as crop
rotation, residue management, organic manures and biological inputs.
4. Management of weeds and pests by better management practices, physical and
cultural means and by biological control system
5. Maintenance of live stock in tandem with organic
concept and make them an integral part of the
entire system

8. Q u ic k T im e ™ a n d a
P h o t o - J P E G d e c o m p r e s s o r
a r e n e e d e d t o s e e t h is p ic t u r e .
SoilOrganicMatter
Bodies of microorganisms involved in
decomposition
3. Byproducts of decomposition
Partly decomposed (unrecognizable)
plant residues

9. C:N Ratio
SOM 10-12:1
Plant Litter 20-400:1
Bacteria 4:1
Fungi 10:1
Soil OrganicMatter
SOM is:
55% C
5% N
0.5% P
0.5% S
Alive
Microbial Biomass (fungi, bacteria) 2-5% of SOM
Dead
Non-humic substances 20-30% of SOM
Humic substances 60-80% of SOM

10. How does Organic Matter Improve Soil?
1) increase water holding capacity
2) nutrients attach to O.M.
3) O.M. improves tilth (aggregate)
 The amount of humus in soil is directly proportional to the amount of
nitrogen in soil
 Soils high in O.M. are easily worked and may be described as having
good tilth.

11. Why Organic Farming
 Organic farming in the form of agriculture includes crop rotation, application of green
manure, compost, bio fertilizers, biological pest and diseases control to maintain soil
productivity and restrict the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Infact the
organic farming rely on the management of the soil. It enhances the chemical,
biological and physical properties of the soil and the increasing amount of nutrition in
soil plays a key role in suppressing weeds, pests and diseases in eco-friendly manner .

12. Techniques for Organic Farmingfor Medicinal Plants
1. Zero cultivation /no till cultivation
2. Practice Clean Culture
3. Integrated Pest Management (IPM).GAP
4. Insect traps, lure and attractants.
5. Use of Biological pest control (natural enemies of pest)
6. Use of Organic Compost fertilizer and bio micro inoculants.
7. Use of Organic Pest and Disease control materials.
8. Use of indigenous resistant plant varieties and strain.
9. Practice crop rotation and following (resting the soil for some time).
10. Growing and inter-cropping of pest repellant and herbal plants.
11. Integrated Weed Management (IWM)
12. Growing the right crop on the right soil, climate and at the right time.
13. Solarization
14. Integrated Nutrient Management ( I NM)
15. Vermipost
16. Integrated Farm Management ( IFM)

13. 1. Zerocultivation/notill farming
is a way of growing crops or pasture from year to year without disturbing
the soil through tillage. No-till is an agricultural technique which
increases the amount of water that infiltrates into the soil and increases
organic matter retention and cycling of nutrients in the soil.

14. 2.Practice cleanculture.
Cultivation and weed control will also help not only in
soil aeration and softening of soil mass but will also
reduce or disturb the breeding place of insect pests
and fungal diseases.

15. 3.IntegratedPest Management (IPM)
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a pest control program using combination of all
practices to reduce or eliminate pest damage. This includes natural, biological and
mechanical practices as well as bio and chemical pesticide application.

16. Good Agriculture Practices
 Guidelines for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) of Medicinal Plants
 Principles and Guidelines for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)
 1 Seeds and propagation material
 Seeds in use are to be identified botanically, indicating plant variety, cultivar, chemotype
and origin1. The material used should be 100 % traceable. The same applies to
vegetatively propagated parent material. Parent material used in organic production has
to be certified as authentically organic.
 2. Cultivation
 Depending on the method of cultivation e.g. conventional or organic, growers should be
allowed to follow different »Standard Operating Procedures« for cultivation (to be
elaborated). In general, care should be taken to avoid environmental disturbances. The
principles of good crop husbandry must be followed including an appropriate rotation of
crops.
 3. Soil and Fertilization
 Medicinal and aromatic plants should not be grown in soils that are contaminated by
sludge. Furthermore, soils should not be contaminated by heavy metals, residues of plant
protection products and any other unnatural chemicals. It should therefore be
endeavoured to apply the use of chemical products with as minimum negative effect as
possible.

17. Good Agriculture Practices
 4. Irrigation
 Irrigation should be minimized as much as possible and only be applied according to the needs of the
plant.
 5. Tillage should be adapted to the growth and requirements of plants.
 6. Pesticide and herbicide application shoud be avoided as far as possible.
 7. Harvest
 Harvesting should take place when the plants are of best possible quality, according to their different
utilizations.
 8. Primary processing
 Primary processing after harvest includes such processing steps as washing, freezing, distilling,
drying, etc. All these processes, whether for food or medicinal use
 9.Packaging
 After the repeated control and eventual elimination of low-quality materials and any foreign bodies,
the product should be preferably packaged in new, clean and dry sacks, bags or chests. The label must
be clear, permanently fixed and be made of non-toxic material. Information must conform with the
national labelling regulations
 10.Storage and Transport
 Packaged dried materials and essential oils should be stored in a dry, well aerated
building, in which the daily temperature fluctuations are limited and good aeration is
guaranteed. Fresh products (except basil) should be stored between 1°C and 5°C while
frozen products should be stored below –18°C (or below –20°C for longer term storage).

18. Good Agriculture Practices
 11. Personnel and Facilities
 Personnel should receive adequate botanical education before performing tasks that require this
knowledge.
 12. . Documentation
 All parent materials and processing steps, including the location of cultivation, have to be
documented. Field records showing previous cropping and used inputs should be maintained by all
growers.
 13. Education
 It is highly advisable to educate all personnel dealing with the crop or those engaged in the
management of production, in production techniques as well as the appropriate use of herbicides and
pesticides.

 14. Quality Guarantee
 Consultation between producers and buyers of medicinal and aromatic plants, with regard to quality
questions, e.g. active principles and other characteristic ingredients, optical and sensoric properties,
limited germ numbers, plant protection chemical residues and heavy metals, must be based on
nternationally recognized or national specifications and should be laid down in written form.

19. 4.Insect traps, lure and attractants.
1.Light Traps
2.Lure with attractants
3 Chemical sex attractant
4. Blue electric lamp
5.Yellow pads

20. 5.Use of Biological Pest and Disease Control
The use of living plant and animals or living organisms to control pest and diseases are
called Biological Control. They may be microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, virus or
bigger life forms like insects, worms, reptiles, mammal and birds. You can learn to
increase the beneficial insects, microorganisms and other animal and plant life in your
farms to counter pests and diseases harming your crops. Let us protect and increase
these beneficial enemies of pests.

21. 6. Use of Organic Fertilizer
Farm Yard Manure –
Manure is obtained from the solid and liquid excrements and the padding of live stock
animals after being left to decay. The manure which has matured is good for agricultural
use. In addition
The bird manure is the richest one of all organic types of manure. It is three times richer in
nitrogen and potassium and about four times richer in phosphorus than the ordinary mixed
manure produced from live stock animals.
Ashes are alkali fertilizer. It has the effect of neutralizing the soil acidity and improving the
functioning of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Ashes may also be used for whitewashing.
Green Manure
Farm Slurry

22. 7.Usedof Organic Pest and Disease Control
Herbal preparations to control pest and diseases can easily be made by
farmers themselves since we have abundant plants in the country that
are suitable ingredient.

23. 8.Practice crop rotation and following (resting the soil for some time).
Crop rotation or changing crops grown in certain areas to avoid the buildup of
certain pest or disease affecting certain crops. Example, rotating onions with
pepper . Resting the soil for one to two years to allow natural vegetation
and the growth of natural enemies to introduce balance of nature, while
enriching your soil environment for future crop production.

24. 9. Growing and inter-croppingof pest repellant andherbal plants
There are crops that repel certain insect pests. Intercropping tomato with cabbages and
cauliflower will help reduce the diamondback moth attacking cabbages. Learn what
these crop combinations. You will not only reduce your cost of pest and disease control
but may even increase your income per unit area with the crop combination.

25. 10. Integrated WeedManagement
Certain weeds are difficult to remove or control, like
grasses. Planting vines and crawling crops like sweet
potato and cover crops will help suppress weeds.

26. 11.Growingtherightcropontherightsoil, climateandat therighttime.
There are suitable crops that are ideal for certain season of the year and
suitable soils for their healthy and productive growth. Learn the nature of
the plants and their preferences before deciding what to grow in your farm.

27. 12. Solarization
 It is a non contaminant soil disinfestation technique. It is based on the
sun irradition to provide a temperature rise; and humidity increase this
effect. The use of polyethylene ( usually transparent) to cover the
ground soil (upper layer), increases the thermical effect and avoid soil
moisture loss, raising temperature to letal levels for living soil
organism.

28. 13 IntegratedNutrient Management

29. 14. Vermipost
 WHAT IS VERMICOMPOSTING/WORM FARMING? The process of using
worms to aid in the decomposition of organic matter. I.e., organic matter is put
in a bin with worms; the worms eat the organic matter and break it down,
leaving behind a nutrient rich product known as 'vermicompost', 'worm
castings', 'worm manu
 BENEFITS OF VERMICOMPOSTING
 Improves soil structure
 Increases the soil's ability to retain water
 Improves the growth and structure of root systems
 Enhances germination, growth, and yield of plants
 Increases the micro-organism population in soil by 10-20x
 Makes nutrients more available for plant uptake Very space efficient.
 Worm composting can be done even in a small apartment
 Not to mention all that food waste that's being turned into fertilizer instead of
being thrown away .

30. 15.IntegratedFarm Management
 Integrated Farm Management (IFM) involves:
 a commitment to good husbandry and animal welfare
 efficient soil management and appropriate cultivation
 techniques the use of crop rotations minimum reliance on crop protection
chemicals and fertilisers
 careful choice of seed varieties maintenance of the landscape and rural
communities enhancement of wildlife habitats a commitment to team spirit
based on communication, training and involvement.

31. The biologicalagents
 Predators such as ladybird beetle, spiders,
dragonflies and mites.
 Parasites such as Trichogramma, Braconids
 Pathogens such as bacteria and fungi which cause
diseases to pest.

32. SOME ENENIES OF INSECT PESTS
1. Trichogramma
2. Braconid
3. Pirate bug
4. Spiders
5. Praying Manthis
6. Birds
7. Frogs etc.

34. Types of Biopesticides
 Microbial pesticides consist of a microorganism (e.g., a bacterium, fungus, virus, or
protozoan) as the active ingredient. Microbial pesticides can control many different
kinds of pests, although each separate active ingredient is relatively specific for its target
pest[s]. For example, there are fungi that control certain weeds, and other fungi that kill
specific insects. Example BT
 Biochemical pesticides are naturally occurring substances that control pests by non-toxic
mechanisms. Conventional pesticides, by contrast, are generally synthetic materials that
directly kill or inactivate the pest. Biochemical pesticides include substances, such as
insect sex pheromones
 Plant pesticides are pesticidal substances that plants produce from genetic material that
has been added to the plant. For example, scientists can take the gene for the Bt
pesticidal protein and introduce the gene into the plant's own genetic material

35. CONCLUSION
We can now grow our crops, following the natural law and adopt Natural
Organic and Biological Farming Systems that are self sustaining,
production cost reduction, and healthful organic food crops that are
very much in demand in the domestic and export market today.