1. MANGALAYATN UNIVERSITY
AGRICULTURE ADMISSION
2022-23
ORGANIC FARMING
THE START-UP FOR HEALTHY LIFE

2. Organic farming can be termed as an agricultural method using a
biologically tested fertilization system and pest control
primarily acquired from plants and animal waste. It is aptly said
that “necessity is the mother of invention”. The same applies to
organic farming as this has been initiated as a means to curb
hazardous environmental effects arising from the incessant use of
synthetic fertilizers, chemically formulated insecticides, and
pesticides to protect crops. It works wonders by repairing,
maintaining, and improving the cycle of ecological balance.
Numerous merits are attached to organic farming. The foremost
benefit is that it is quite economical as it uses natural products
abundantly available such as animal and plant waste without
incurring heavy costs on pesticides, insecticides, HYV seeds, and
fertilizers. Secondly, it promotes high returns on investments.
Since local as well as cheaper inputs are put to use, it raises
the profitability ratio multiple times. As awareness about organic
farming is rising at a fast pace across the globe, it is
attracting demand and, thereby, generating additional incomes. The
added advantage of organic products is that their nutritional
value is high and they do not pose any threat to our environment.
Organic farming

3. As the name suggests, food quality is the
total addition of attributes and properties
of a product that have been established as
acceptable to consumers. Generally, the
variety of attributes includes nutritional
content, appearance (shape, size, color,
consistency, and gloss), flavor, texture, and
ethical production to name a few.
FOOD QUALITY

4. Human health is of utmost
importance as it helps in
measuring the economic development
of an economy. Organic foods can
be counted as better products to
measure the human health index.
The latest study has shown organic
products to be having a better
amount of nutritional content in
contrast to conventional food
products being produced
inorganically.
HUMAN HEALTH

5. Studies have highlighted the fact that
food products produced organically tend
to have a higher amount of nutritional
content making them a super choice not
to miss out. Data shows dairy products
being produced organically tend to have
a higher amount of omega-3 fatty acids
as compared to conventional dairy
products. Another study highlights the
fact that children consuming organic
products have better cognitive
development.
FOOD QUALITY AND
ORGANIC

6. With trailblazing technology available, information
passes around in a fraction of seconds. Consumers are
becoming well aware of health issues and want to combat
problems in an organic way. Organic word is connoted
with chemical-free production of food products so that
we can ensure safety, as well as the impact on human
health, can be well taken care of.
CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF THE TERM
‘ORGANIC FOOD’

7. Food quality is of supreme importance as human health is
concerned. That is why the concept of organic farming is becoming
more relevant with each passing day. Four guiding principles are
invariably followed in the cultivation as well as production of
environment-friendly organic products. They are as follows:
1. Principle of health
2. Principle of Ecology
3. Principle of Fairness
4. Principle of Care
FOOD QUALITY AND ORGANIC
PRINCIPLES

8. The principle of health is about taking care of the health of
nature at large. Be it humans, animals, or the environment, all
should bloom in good health. Soil protection is our social
responsibility as everything depends upon it. If the quality of
soil is good in terms of fertility without any chemicals, this, in
turn, would automatically lead to high-quality food.
PRINCIPLE OF HEALTH

9. The principle of ecology elaborates on balancing the environment
using eco-friendly methods of farming. Soil, water, air, land,
climate, and biodiversity ought to be taken care of so as to
ensure health benefits to humans to the maximum extent. Ecology
includes our environment, animals, plants and trees, and humans.
Their balance needs to be sustained for better living conditions.
PRINCIPLE OF ECOLOGY

10. The principle of fairness is of high importance as it is based
upon taking care of every human involved in the process of organic
agriculture. From production to distribution, traders to
consumers, all are entitled to fair treatment. This is aimed to
provide conducive living conditions to all. Even animals should be
given fair treatment in terms of living conditions, and in the
same way, our mother earth should be given fair treatment.
PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS

11. Taking care of our planet is primarily our responsibility. Not
only for today, but we also need to be mindful of using all of the
natural resources for future reference as well. The principle of
care works on the agenda of giving due care to the environment so
that it helps protect the environment for future generations as
well.
PRINCIPLE OF CARE

12. Pesticides are chemicals used in the agricultural process to keep
away every unwanted vegetation that can harm crop production in
any way. It includes a wide variety of chemicals such as pests,
insects, bacteria, fungi, rats, and mice to name a few. They help
control, kill, and repel this unwanted vegetation to keep our crop
yield safe and sound. But the dark side of using them is its
harmful effects that get through the crops and reach our table
when we consume pesticides laced food. It needs to be curbed to
keep our living conditions healthy and safe.
PESTICIDES

13. Every coin has a flip side and in the same way, organic farming
has its own set of pros and cons. Studies show that organic
farming is tainted with the problem of the transfer of unseen
pathogens. Pathogens such as shigella or salmonella that mostly
grow in the stomachs of animals get transferred into organic
productslike leafy vegetables, fruits, as well as root
vegetables.
FOOD POISONING

14. GMOs refer to genetically modified organisms having traits such
as herbicide tolerant (HT), genetically tolerant (GE), or BT
crops. In other words, an organism that has been genetically
modified by injecting cells or genetic material from another
species to produce the hybrid quality of organisms. GMOs are
strictly prohibited to be used in organic farming. A farmer doing
organic farming is not allowed to sow GMO seeds. The same goes
for organic animals. They can’t be given genetically modified
food to consume.
GMOS

15. Antibiotics are life-saving medicinesthat play a pivotal role in
the treatment of diseases for humans as well as animals. They
help cure diseases and illnesses primarily caused by unseen
microorganisms. They help treat, control and prevent diseases
inconventional areas of farming. Their use is restricted only
when animals have severe diseases and can’t be cured organically.
ANTIBIOTICS

16. Food additives arethose substances primarily serving the
purposeof adding appearance, enhancing taste, and preserving
flavor. Technically, they do not come in the category of food
but are generally added for the purpose of preservation. There
isa list of food additives widely used in food items color
additives, anti-cake agents, emulsifiers, dough strengtheners,
fat replacers, fat replacers, leavening agents, pH control
agents, and humectants.
FOOD ADDITIVES

17. Nitrates are inorganic chemicals used to protect crops from
damage. Agricultural practices usingnitrates as components cause
environmental pollution. The use of nitrates is strictly
prohibited and it is also seen the overuse of nitrates leads to
pollution in rivers. It is the need of the hour to switch over
to organic farming in order to prevent erosion of fertile soil
of arable lands.
NITRATE

18. Primary nutrition is an essential part required by the plants in
order to grow at an optimum level. they are commonly known as
macronutrients required in large quantities by plants. Elements
such as carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and
oxygen come under this category. These plant nutrients are
responsible for the proper growth and development of the plants.
In agriculture practice, it is important to see these nutrients
are provided in proper quantities so that agricultural output
can be maximized.
PRIMARY NUTRITION

19. Secondary nutrition alsoplays an important role in the
development and growth of plants but is required in lesser
amounts in contrast with primary nutrition. They boost
chlorophyll 11 formation as well as protein synthesis.
Generally, sulphur, calcium, and magnesium are considered
secondary in nature. They also help to correct soil problems of
plants alkaline in nature.
SECONDARY NUTRITION

20. Organic farming is undoubtedly the better way of farming in
contrast tothe conventionalmethod of farming. This process of
the chemical-free method provides numerous health benefits.
Resultant high yield crops having 0% chemical content
ensurehealth benefits to the maximum extent. It has been
observed that the food produced organically hasa low percentage
of traces of cadmium and nitrates present.
OBSERVED HEALTH EFFECTS

21. Since agricultural farming is imperative in nature and its
modified form of organic farming is best for practical
applications. Numerous problems arising from the conventional
methods can be avoided such as soil degradation, climate change,
water pollution, and biodiversity loss among others. It is
highly recommended to use this method worldwideso as to avoid
negative externalities tothe environment. Governments are
subsidizing the organic sector and promoting it to be used
extensively.
RECOMMENDATIONS

22. Consumers using organic products are making a wise choice as
they are keeping away from the negative externalities of the
environment. It has been observed that the cognitive skills of
growing children respondbetter. It has also been seen those
animalsconsuming organic products give out the best quality
dairy products.
TO CONSUMERS

23. Organic farming can bring in better quality results and that is
why farmersopting for this method should go for mulching,
composting as well as making use of bio-fertilizers. This will
certainly help in promoting the healthy growth of crops and will
also nourish soil making it more fertile. Vermicomposting is yet
another excellent method to go for as it introduces vital
nutrients naturally into the soil.
TO FARMERS

24. It is the social responsibility of researchers to provide bona
fide informationabout different practices involved in organic
farming so that no misinformation gets circulated.
Misinformation can lead to many undesirable and harmful effects.
So, it is better to avoid it at every cost. This will act as a
precursor to facilitatingdynamic change in otherwise along-
standingagriculture system
TO RESEARCHERS

25. Government can play the most crucial role in promoting awareness
among people at large about the pros and cons of using
agricultural products produced using organic farming methods.
Subsidizing is one such method to be promoted for the
sustainable growth of organic farming. Government can also
impart education to farmers on using tools and practices to
increase their yields using eco-friendly methods.
TO GOVERNMENTS

26. The soil, as well as food quality, can be improved using various
methods such as varied crop rotation, carbon-based amendments,
and covering up the crops to help build and maintain soil
fertility. Such practices are meant to improve the physical
properties of soil and multiply the growth of soil microbes. A
recent study underscores the fact thatorganically produced
products have a higher content of phytochemicals, rhizosphere
microbial groups, and a lower quantity of nitrogen available.
SOLUTION FOR SOIL AND FOOD
QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS: -

27. https://www.mangalayatan.ac.in/
info@mangalayatan.ac.in
+91-8252-200-200, 8252-300-300
NH-30, Mandla Road,
Near Sharda Devi Mandir, Richai,
Barela, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh-
483001
CONTACT
Agriculture Admission