The document discusses organic agriculture, outlining its basic rules and principles of health, ecology, fairness and care. It provides data on global organic farming trends and the availability of organic resources in India from 2010-2025. The advantages and disadvantages of organic farming are briefly presented.
1. COURSE SEMINAR
ON
ROLE OF ORGANIC
AGRICULTIRE/FARMING
Speaker Supervisor
Govinda Raj Sedai Dr. S. K. Verma
I.D. No. A 11019 Assistant lecturer
DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY
INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY
VARANASI
2. INTRODUCTION
The definition of organic agriculture is a matter of
debate in itself. It has no single definition of its own.
However, all definitions agree that it implies the
application of agronomic, biological and mechanical
methods of production in place of the use of synthetic
chemical inputs. Most definitions also incorporate the
use of several techniques not exclusive to organic
agriculture, as they may be applied in conventional and
low-input production systems as well. These include, in
particular, “better land husbandry” techniques such as
soil-conservation measures, crop rotation and the use of
green manure, instead of slashing and burning.
3. Basic rules of Organic farming and
Organic food production
•no use of chemical fertilizers or synthetic
drugs
•no use of genetically modified organisms
•prevention from soil loss and erosion
•promotion of ‘bio diversity’ – support a
range of crops, not a single species
4. Principles of Organic Agriculture
•The principle of health
•The principle of ecology
•The principle of fairness
•The principle of care
5. Principles of health
Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant,
animal, human and planet as one and indivisible.
This principle points out that the health of individuals and communities cannot
be separated from the health of ecosystems - healthy soils produce healthy crops
that foster the health of animals and people.
Health is the wholeness and integrity of living systems. It is not simply the
absence of illness, but the maintenance of physical, mental, social and ecological
well-being. Immunity, resilience and regeneration are key characteristics of
health.
The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or
consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms
from the smallest in the soil to human beings. In particular, organic agriculture is
intended to produce high quality, nutritious food that contributes to preventive
health care and well-being. In view of this, it should avoid the use of fertilizers,
pesticides, animal drugs and food additives that may have adverse health effects.
6. Principles of ecology
Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with
them, emulate them and help sustain them.
This principle roots organic agriculture within living ecological systems. It states that
production is to be based on ecological processes, and recycling. Nourishment and well-
being are achieved through the ecology of the specific production environment. For
example, in the case of crops this is the living soil; for animals it is the farm ecosystem; for
fish and marine organisms, the aquatic environment.
Organic farming, pastoral and wild harvest systems should fit the cycles and ecological
balances in nature. These cycles are universal but their operation is site-specific. Organic
management must be adapted to local conditions, ecology, culture and scale. 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.
Organic agriculture should attain ecological balance through the design of farming
systems, establishment of habitats and maintenance of genetic and agricultural diversity.
Those who produce, process, trade, or consume organic products should protect and
benefit the common environment including landscapes, climate, habitats, biodiversity, air
and water.
7. Principles of fairness
Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to
protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the
environment.
Organic agriculture is a living and dynamic system that responds to internal and external
demands and conditions. Practitioners of organic agriculture can enhance efficiency and
increase productivity, but this should not be at the risk of jeopardizing health and well-
being. Consequently, new technologies need to be assessed and existing methods
reviewed. Given the incomplete understanding of ecosystems and agriculture, care must
be taken.
This principle states that precaution and responsibility are the key concerns in
management, development and technology choices in organic agriculture. Science is
necessary to ensure that organic agriculture is healthy, safe and ecologically sound.
However, scientific knowledge alone is not sufficient. Practical experience, accumulated
wisdom and traditional and indigenous knowledge offer valid solutions, tested by time.
Organic agriculture should prevent significant risks by adopting appropriate technologies
and rejecting unpredictable ones, such as genetic engineering. Decisions should reflect
the values and needs of all who might be affected, through transparent and participatory
processes.
8. Apart from these, basic principles should be
closely followed:
•Sustaining and improvement of the soil
•Realization of nutrient re-cycling (farm, village, region)
•Intensive use of legumes/leguminous trees to provide nitrogen supply
•Biological plant protection through prevention
•Diversity of crop varieties and species grown
•Site and species appropriate animal husbandry
•Prohibition of Genetic Engineering and products thereof
•Maintenance of the surrounding natural landscape (sustainable eco-agro
systems)
•Least possible consumption of non-renewable energy and resources
•Ban on synthetic, chemical fertilizers, plant protection, storage and
ripening means as well as hormones and synthetic growth regulators
(also harmful processing aids in food processing).
9. Organic Agriculture is not the solution to
all problems in farming sector. I’m
confident that within this century all of
the World’s agriculture will convert to
“ORGANIC”.
- Gunar Rund Gren
President, IFOAM
10. Ancient Period
1. Oldest Practice 10000 years ago dating back to Neolithic
age by ancient civilization like
Mesopotamia, Hwang Ho basin etc.
2. Ramayana All dead things returned to earth that in
nourish soil and life
3. Mahabharata 5500 B.C., Kamadhenu – the cow is role in
human life and soil fertility
4. Kautilya 300 B.C., several manures like oil cake and
Arthshastra excreta of animals
5. Brihad Sanhita Methods of choosing manures for crops and
manuring
6. Rigveda 2500-1500 B.C., green manure, use of dung
of goat, sheep, cow etc. 10
11. The organic movement was began in the 1930s and 1940s as a reaction to
agriculture’s growing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
Sir Albert Howard is widely considered to be the father of Organic farming.
Rudolf Steiner, a German philosopher, made influential strides in the earliest
organic theory with his Biodynamic agriculture.
J. I. Rodale worked in United States.
Lady Eve Balfour in United Kingdom.
1980s - Increased Environmental Awareness.
1990s – Market for organic products has grown at a rapid pace
averaging 20 – 25 percent / year.
In 2002, the USDA under National Organic Program(NOP) regulated the
commercial use of the term ORGANIC.
2007 – Approximately 306,000 Sq.Km(30.6 million hectares) are farmed
Organically.
12. S.N. Region Area (ha) % Organic Producers
Europe 10637127.52 2.23 291451.00
1
Northern America 2790162.37 0.72 16659.00
2
Latin America 6857610.72 1.12 315889.00
3
Africa 1073656.65 0.12
4 540988.00
Asia 3706279.61 0.26 619439.00
5
Total
25064836.87 4.45 1784426.00
13. 12000000.00
10637127.52
10000000.00
8000000.00
6857610.72
Area (ha)
6000000.00 3706279.61 % Organic
Producers
4000000.00
2790162.37
1073656.65
2000000.00
291451.00 16659.00 315889.00 540988.00 619439.00
1.12 0.26
2.23 0.12
0.72
0.00
Europe Northern America Latin America Africa Asia
14. Sustainable
aims
Organic
Agriculture
Ecological Social
aims aims
15. Organic Agriculture:
• Economic security,
• Economically viable,
• Added value,
• Low investment,
Sustainability
• Good and constant yields,
aims • Make best use of local resources
• Good working condition
• Fair Trade,
• food supply,
• Satisfy local needs
Social • Gender balance
• Respect the local culture
aims
• Good taste and quality
• Balance ecosystem
• No chemical pollution
• High soil fertility
• Clean water
Ecological • Biological diversity
aims • Animal friendly husbandry
• Conserve the natural resources
• Safe products
16. Material considered to be used in Organic farming
• In-situ waste/product:
– Farm yard manure and urine
– Rotted litter of poultry birds
– Vermicompost,
– Plant residues,
– Green manuring
– Azolla, BGA, Rhizobium etc.
– Organic compost from organic kitchen waste,
– Residues of organic mushroom production,
– Night soil,
– Oil cake
– Bio-dynymic mixture
– Sheep/goat manure
– Pig manure
• Could be used after with analysis and care takes:
– Bio fertilizer Rhizobium, Mycorrhiza etc. from external source
– Saw dust,
– Blood -meal, bone-meal
– FYM, Compost , vermicompost from external sources,
• Lesser than recommended doses
– Limestone,
– Grinded rock,
– Magnesium
– Bodo-mixture, bodo-pest and bodo-paint
17. Material considered to be used/banded in Organic farming
S.N. Particulars Symbol Remarks
1 Chemical pesticides × Hazardous
2 Aromatic substances Problematic in environment balance
3 Traps -
4 Soft soap -
5 Micro-organism If imported from foreign used with special
take care
6 Plant originated extract May cause bad impact in environment
7 Plant and animal originated fat & oils May cause bad impact in environment
8 Parasite and parasitoid insects May cause harmful effect on indigenous and
native insects
9 Mineral oils May cause negative impact in environment
10 Sulfur May cause negative impact in environment
11 Mulching from natural sources -
12 Potassium per magnet May cause bad impact in environment
13 Bodo-mixture, bodo-pest and paint May cause negative impact in environment
× - Banded/not to be used, - used with take care and - could be used
18. Material considered to be used/banded in Organic farming
S.N. Country No. of farmers Percent in Total
1 Germany 10000
2 Austria 20000
3 Sweden
4 Finland
5 Switzerland
6 Denmark
7 Italy 18000
8 Uganda 7000
9 Mexico 100000
10
11
12
13
22. Advantages
Animals lead Soil structure
happier lives is better
Organic farming
More birds
and insects Less harmful
to environment
No harmful
chemicals –
healthier?
23. Disadvantages
More
More blemishes on
expensive crops
Organic
farming
More farm
Smaller yields
workers
needed
33. Certification
A procedure by which a third party gives
written assurance that a product, process or
services is in conformity with certain
standards.
• Certification Body
• Inspector
• Operator (farmers. Processor and applicant)
34. Certification Process:
Steps of certification process
• Request for Certification,
• Applicant’s screening from Certification Body and send forms
for applicant,
• Applicant’s fill up form and prepare all document and return to
Certification Body,
• CB assess potential eligibility (Again screening),
• CB assigns organic inspector for site visit,
• Onsite visit report to CB,
• Review on report and takes decision,
• CB notifies applicant
• Certification (Yes or No)
• Annual certification renewal
35. Conclusion:
Organic farming intensifies farm-internal processes like biological activities,
recycling of livestock and crop waste, enhanced biodiversity as well as
nitrogen fixation and improve phosphorus availability by symbiosis.
Organic farming is relevant mitigation and adoption option for climate
change.
Organic farming is viable solution for smallholder farmers in developing
countries.
Organic farming build up soil health and conserves soil water and organic
matter.
36. • The world currently produces double the amount of food required to feed
everyone; still around 1 billion people suffer from hunger, and another
billion are malnourished
• The problem of hunger is mostly due to poor distribution systems and
inadequate production in the poorest communities
• 50% of the world’s hungry are in fact small holder farmers, who suffer from
lack of extension services and access to resources, unjust trade conditions,
erosion of their agricultural biodiversity and climate change
• Much greater support of small holder producers is required, as they produce
70% of the world’s food. Strengthening small holder farmers is the key to
increasing access to food and food security
• A United Nations study has found that organic agriculture increased yields in
Africa by over 100% and that organic systems have higher yields under
conditions of climatic extremes
• Organic systems are highly suitable for increasing productivity of traditional
small holder and subsistence systems
• Greater investment in research and extension of affordable, and resilient
organic systems for small holder farmers is required
37. Conclusion:
The government of India seems to be committed for promoting organic
farming in the country. Several pieces of policies and strategies are
formulated to promote organic farming. But, these policies and strategies
are scattered and simply inadequate. For this purpose, a consolidated
policy and a clear set of legislative provisions are required. Nature has
gifted Nepal with plenty of production niches suitable for organic farming
of various agricultural commodities. However, it encompasses several
challenges in order to make national product competitive in the domestic
and international market. On the one hand policies and capacities on
production technologies of organic farming are inadequate and on the
other hand the developed technologies and products are not being
delivered properly in Nepal. So, under the given circumstances, Nepal has
to reform its policies and make organic farming friendly, so that the virgin
areas can be protected from the introduction of chemical inputs. Many
actors including government organizations, NGOs, private sector and
farmers should be involved in different steps of organic agriculture
promotion and certification. Then only the nation can prosper with the
means of healthy people.
