Principles of Organic Farming theory notes (AGRO-248)

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Prepared by Prof. S. R. Suryavanshi, DYP AC Talsande
For IVth
Semester as per ICAR revised syllabus
Principles of Organic Farming
Course No.: AGRO-248
Sem- IVth
(New) Credit: 1+1=2
Prepared by
Prof. S. R. Suryavanshi,
Department of Agronomy,
DYP AC Talsande

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AGRO- 248 (Principles of Organic Farming)
INDEX
Sr.
No.
Name of Topic
1 Organic farming, principles and its scope in India
2 History of organic farming
3 Organic farming in India : relevance in present context
4 Organic production requirement
5 Conventional farming and organic farming
6 Initiative taken by Govt. NGO and organizations for promotion of organic
agriculture
7 Organic ecosystems and their concepts
8 Biological intensive nutrient management
9 Farm yard manure (FYM)
10 Compost.
11 Green manuring
12 Vermicompost
13 Recycling of organic residues.
14 Biofertilizer
15 Restrictions to nutrient use in organic farming
16 Choice of crops and varieties in organic farming
17 Integrated disease and pest management
18 Integrated weed management
19 Operational structure of NPOP
20 Standards of organic farming
21 Accreditation in organic farming
22 Certification :
23 Labelling
24 Processing
25 Organic food processing and handling
26 Economic considerations and viability of organic farming in India
27 Marketing and export of organic produce :-
28 Definitions
29 Fill in the blank
30 Important questions

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ORGANIC FARMING, PRINCIPLES AND ITS SCOPE IN INDIA
DEFINITION
1. Organic farming is a production system that integrates site specific cultural, biological
and mechanical practices designed to foster the cycling of resources, ecological balance
and biodiversity (USDA, National Organic Programmers -2002)
2. It is a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically
compounded fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives.
To the maximum extent feasible organic systems rely upon crop rotations, crop residues,
animal manures, legumes, green manures, off farm organic wastes, mechanical
cultivation, mineral bearing rocks and aspects of biological pest control to maintain the
soil productivity and tilth, to supply the plant nutrients and to control insects, weeds and
other pests.
OTHER FORMS OF ORGANIC FARMING
1. Rishi Krishi :
Drawn from Vedas, the Rishi Krishi method of natural farming has been mastered by
farmers of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. In this method, all on-farm sources of
nutrients including composts, cattle dung manure, green leaf manure and crop biomass for
mulching are exploited to their best potential with continuous soil enrichment through the
use of Rishi Krishi formulation known as “Amritpani” and virgin soil. 15 kg of virgin
rhizosperic soil collected from beneath of Banyan tree (Ficus bengalensis) is spread over
one acre and the soil is enriched with 200 lAmritpani. It is prepared by mixing 250 g
ghee into 10 kg of cow dung followed by 500 g honey and diluted with200 l of water.
This formulation is utilized for seed treatment (beej sanskar), enrichment of soil (bhumi
sanskar) andfoliar spray on plants (padap sanskar). For soil treatment it need to be applied
through irrigation water as fertigation.The system has been demonstrated on a wide range
of crops i.e. fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane and cotton.
2. Panchgavya Krishi: prepared from five ingradient viz. cow dung, urine, milk, curd and
ghee, act as bio-enhancer contains hormones, micro and macro nutrient. Used for
spraying. Panchgavya contains many useful microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria,
actinomycetes and various micronutrients. The formulation act as tonic to enrich the soil,
induce plant vigour with quality production. Application of panchgavya has been found to
be very effective in many horticultural crops such as mango, guava, acid lime, banana,
spice turmeric, flower-jasmine, medicinal plants like Coleus, agandha, vegetable like
cucumber, spinach, okra, radish and grain crops such as maize, green gram and sunflower.
Panchgavya has also been found to be reducing nematode problem in terms of gall index
and soil nematode population. As due to application of panchgavya a thin oily film is
formed on the leaves and stem, it reduces evaporation losses and ensures better utilization
of applied water.
3. Natural Farming: Natural farming emphasizes on efficient use of on-farm biological
resources and enrichment of soil with the use of Jivamruta to ensure high soil biological
activity. Use of Bijamruta for seed/ planting material treatment and Jivamruta for soil
treatment and foliar spray are important components. Jivamruta has been found to be rich
in various beneficial microorganisms. As per the studies conducted by Bio Centre
Bangalore the Jivamruta contains following microorganisms:

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· Azospirillum 2 x 106
· PSM 2 x 106
· Pseudomonas 2 x 102
· Trichoderma 2 x 106
· Yeasts and moulds 2 x 107
500 l jivamruta is needed for one application in one hectare. It can be applied through
irrigation water by flow, by drip or sprinkler or even by drenching of mulches spread
over the field or under the tree basin.
4. Natueco Farming: The Natueco farming system follows the principles of eco-system
networking of nature. It is beyond the broader concepts of organic or natural farming in
both philosophy and practice. It offers an alternative to the commercial and heavily
chemical techniques of modern farming. Instead, the emphasis is on the simple harvest of
sunlight through the critical application of scientific examination, experiments, and
methods that are rooted in the neighborhood resources. It depends on developing a
thorough understanding of plant physiology, geometry of growth, fertility, and
biochemistry. This can be simply achieved through: `Demystification of Science'.
5. Homo Farming: Homa farming has its origin from Vedas and is based on the principle
that “you heal the atmosphere and the healed atmosphere will heal you” The practitioners
and propagators of homa farming call it a "revealed science". It is anentirely spiritual
practice that dates from the Vedic period. The basic aspect of homa farming is the chanting
of Sanskrit mantras (Agnihotra puja) at specific times in the day before a holy fire. The
timing is extremely important. While there is no specific agricultural practice associated
with homa farming, the farm and household it is practiced in, is energized and
"awakened". The ash that results from the puja is used to energise composts, plants,
animals, etc. Homa Organic Farming is holistic healing for agriculture and can be
used in conjunction with any good organic farming system. It is obviously extremely
inexpensive and simple to undertake but requires discipline andregularity. Agnihotra is
the basic Homa fire technique, based on the bio-rhythm of sunrise and sunset, and can be
found in the ancient sciences of the Vedas. Agnihotra has been simplified and adapted to
modern times, so anybody can performit. During Agnihotra, dried cow dung, ghee
(clarified butter) and brown rice are burned in an inverted, pyramid shaped copper vessel,
along with which a special mantra (word-tone combination) is sung.
IMPACT OF CONVENTIONAL FARMING
1. Yield have risen but are slowing
2. Poverty has fallen but is not being eliminated while inequalities are raising
3. Farmer and public health is being undermined
4. Soils and the environment are being massively damaged
5. Sustainability of smallholders farming is being eroded
ORGANIC FARMING VARIANTS
There are several variants and incarnations of organic farming. Some of the options of organic
farming are:
1. Biodynamic agriculture ( Dr. Rudolf Steiner)
2. LEISA (Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture-Dutch concept)
3. Permaculture (Bill Mollison)
4. Regenerative Agriculture (Robert Rodale)
5. Sustainable Agriculture (Buntedland)

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6. Nature Farming (Mokichi Okada)
7. Nature’s Agriculture (Albert Howard)
8. Nature Farming (Masanobu Fukoka)
9. Ley Farming and
10. Conservation Farming
The International Federation for Organic Agriculture Movement’s (IFOAM) definition of
Organic agriculture is based on:
1. The principle of health
2. The principle of ecology
3. The principle of fairness and
4. The principle of care
1. Principle of health
Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human
and planet as one and indivisible.
2. Principle of ecology
Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with
them, emulate them and help sustain them.
3. Principle of fairness
Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the
common environment and life opportunities. Fairness is characterized by equity, respect, justice
and stewardship of the shared world, both among people and in their relations to other living
beings.
4. Principle of care
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.
OVERALL PRINCIPLES / AIMS / OBJECTIVES OF ORGANIC FARMING
1. To produce food of high nutritional quality.
2. To interact in a constructive and life enhancing way with natural system and cycles.
3. To encourage and enhance biological cycles within the farming system.
4. To maintain the soil fertility.
5. To avoid all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural techniques.
6. To help in the conservation of soil and water.
7. To work with material and substances, which can be reused or recycled.
8. To maintain the genetic diversity.
9. To promote healthy use and proper care of water, water resources and all life therein.
10. To consider the wider, social and ecological impact of the farming system.
CONCEPTS OF ORGANIC FARMING

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Organic farming refers to the agricultural systems used to produce food and fibre. Organic
farming systems do not use toxic chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Instead, they are based on the
development of biological diversity and the maintenance and replenishment of soil fertility.
Organic foods are minimally processed to maintain the integrity of the food without artificial
ingredients, preservatives or irradiation. Organic farming describes two major aspects of
alternative agriculture viz.,
1. The substitution of manures and other organic matter for inorganic fertilizers.
2. The use of biological pest control instead of chemical pest control.
The basic concepts behind organic farming are:
1. It concentrates on building up the biological fertility of the soil so that the crops take the
nutrients they need from steady turnover within the soil nutrients produced in this way
and are released in harmony with the need of the plants.
2. Control of pests, diseases and weeds is achieved largely by the development of an
ecological balance within the system and by the use of bio-pesticides and various
cultural techniques such as crop rotation, mixed cropping and cultivation.
3. Organic farmers recycle all wastes and manures within a farm, but the export of the
products from the farm results in a steady drain of nutrients.
4. Enhancement of the environment in such a way that wild life flourishes.
In a situation where conservation of energy and resources is considered to be
important community or country would make every effort to recycles to all urban and
industrial wastes back to agriculture and thus the system would be requiring only a small
inputs of new resources to “Top Up” soil fertility.
COMPONENTS FOR ORGANIC CULTIVATION.
1. FYM, compost, Poultry manures.
2. Vermicompost
3. Bio-fertilizers
4. Green manures.
5. Different oil cakes
6. Crop Rotation
7. Cropping System
8. Inter cropping
9. Use of crop residue
10. Use of organic mulch, etc.,
11. Agro-industrial waste
NEED & SCOPE OF ORGANIC FARMING
1. -Increase in awareness and health consciousness
2. -Global consumers are increasingly looking for organic food, which is considered safe,
and hazard free.
3. -The global prices of organic food are more lucrative and remunerative.
4. -The potential of organic farming is signified by the fact that the farm sector has
abundant organic nutrient resources like livestock, water, crop residue, aquatic weeds,
forest litter, urban, rural solid wastes and agro industries, bio-products.
5. -India offers tremendous scope for organic farming as it has local market potential for
organic products
ADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FARMING
1. It helps in maintaining environmental health and reduces pollution.

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2. It helps in maintaining biodiversity.
3. Ensure optimum utilization of resources for short term benefits and conserve them for
future generation.
4. It improves soil’s physical properties such as granulation and good tilth.
5. It improves the soil chemical properties such as supply and retention of soil nutrients
and promotes favourable chemical reactions.
6. Minimizes pollution due to conversion of waste material into valuable compost
7. Eliminates the risk of human and animal health hazards by eliminating the chances of
chemical residues.
8. Eliminates the chances of contamination in water bodies.
9. It minimizes the cost of production through the use of farm inputs.
10. It ensures sustained productivity without any loss in fertility.
11. Organically grown products are nutritionally rich and better in quality.
12. Organically grown plants are more resistant to disease and pests.
13. Due to diversification of crops there is more secured income.
DISADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FARMING
1. In changing over to organic farming, an initial crop loss generally occurs.
2. There are no fully developed markets for organic products.
3. Biological control may have been weakened or destroyed due to chemicals, which may
take further three/four years to build up.
4. Limited availability of inputs like FYM, Compost and vermicompost etc.
5. Slow release of nutrients from organic sources which is not matching the nutritional
demand of high yielding varieties.
VARIOUS CAUSES OF LOW ADOPTION OF ORGANIC FARMING
1. Chemicals are easy to use and less costly.
2. The benefits of organic practices are not seen immediately.
3. Large quantities of organic inputs are required.
4. Difficult to get the organic fertilizers.
5. Unorganized market for organically grown produce.
6. Preferential behavior of consumers towards the organic food not yet established.
7. Economic loss due to transition (from traditional agriculture to organic agriculture or
conventional to organic).
8. No experimental evidence in the cost benefit ratio of organic farming.
9. Government efforts to propagate organic farming are very little.
10. Scientific research programmes on organic farming are also scarce.
PROBLEMS AND CONSTRAINTS
1. Lack of Awareness
2. Output Marketing Problems
3. Shortage of Bio-mass
4. Inadequate Supporting Infrastructure
5. High Input Costs
6. Marketing Problems of Organic Inputs
7. Absence of an Appropriate Agriculture Policy
8. Lack of Financial Support

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9. Low Yields
10. Inability to Meet the Export Demand
11. Vested Interests
12. Lack of Quality Standards for Bio-manures
13. Improper Accounting Method
14. Political and Social Factors
15. Excessive cost of existing inspection and certification system which is not affordable
by farmers.
16. Heavy metals content of urban compost.
17. Non-availability of organic package of practice for all crops based on locally available
inputs.
18. Non-awareness of farmers and NGOs on the impact of organic farming
19. Slow release of nutrients from organic sources which is not matching the nutritional
demand of high yielding varieties.

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HISTORY OF ORGANIC FARMING
1. Traditional farming (of many kinds) was the original type of agriculture, and has been
practiced for thousands of years. Forest gardening, a traditional food production system
that dates from prehistoric times, is thought to be the world's oldest and most
resilient agro ecosystem.
2. Artificial fertilizers had been created during the 18th century, initially
with superphosphates and then ammonia-based fertilizers mass-produced using
the Haber-Bosch process developed during World War I. These early fertilizers were
cheap, powerful, and easy to transport in bulk. Similar advances occurred in chemical
pesticides in the 1940s, leading to the decade being referred to as the 'pesticide era'. But
these new agricultural techniques, while beneficial in the short term, had serious longer
term side effects such as soil compaction, soil erosion, and declines in overall soil
fertility, along with health concerns about toxic chemicals entering the food supply.
3. Soil biology scientists began in the late 1800s and early 1900s to develop theories on
how new advancements in biological science could be used in agriculture as a way to
remedy these side effects, while still maintaining higher production.
4. In Central Europe Rudolf Steiner, whose Lectures on Agriculture were published in
1925 created biodynamic agriculture, an early version of what we now call organic
agriculture.Steiner was motivated by spiritual rather than scientific considerations.
5. In the late 1930s and early 1940s Sir Albert Howard and his wife Gabrielle Howard,
both accomplished botanists, developed organic agriculture. The Howards were
influenced by their experiences with traditional farming methods in India, biodynamic,
and their formal scientific education. Sir Albert Howard is widely considered the
"father of organic farming", because he was the first to apply scientific knowledge and
principles to these various traditional and more natural methods
6. In the United States another founder of organic agriculture was J.I. Rodale. In the 1940s
he founded both a working organic farm for trials and experimentation, The Rodale
Institute, and founded the Rodale Press to teach and advocate organic to the wider public.
7. Further work was done by Lady Eve Balfour in the United Kingdom, and many others
across the world.
8. There is some controversy on where the term "organic" as it applies to agriculture first
derived. One side claims term 'organic agriculture' was coined by Lord Northbourne,
an agriculturalist influenced by Steiner's biodynamic approach, in 1940.
9. Increasing environmental awareness in the general population in modern times has
transformed the originally supply-driven organic movement to a demand-driven one.
Premium prices and some government subsidies attracted farmers. In the developing
world, many producers farm according to traditional methods that are comparable to
organic farming, but not certified, and that may not include the latest scientific
advancements in organic agriculture. In other cases, farmers in the developing world have
converted to modern organic methods for economic reasons
APIGR: Association for Propogation of Indigenous Genetic Resourses Oct-1984 at
Wardha
IFOAM: International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement 1972
APEDA: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority-
NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production) in 2001
NSC : National Steering Committee
NAAS : National Academy of Agricultural Science
IOAS: International Organic Accreditation Service

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OATZ : Organic Agriculture Trade Zone
OARD : Organic Agriculture in Rural Development .
Logo “India Organic” was released on 26 th july,2002 to support the NPOP
Aerobic compost by Howards 1929
Anarobiccompost by Acharya in 1934
NADEP compost 1080
Sir Albert Howard : father of organic farming
Rudolf Steiner : biodynamic compost
Masanobu Fukuoka : natural farming “do -nothing”

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ORGANIC FARMING IN INDIA: RELEVANCE IN PRESENT CONTEXT
 In India, only 30% of total cultivable area is covered with fertilizer, where irrigation
facilities are available and in the remaining 70% of arable land, which is mainly rainfed,
negligible amount of fertilizers is being used. Farmers in these areas often use organic
manure as a source of nutrients are readily available either in their own farm or in their
locality.
 The North Eastern Hills of India provides considerable opportunity (18 million hectare)
for organic farming due to least utilization of chemical inputs, which can be exploited
for organic production.
 India is an exporting country and does not import any organic products. The main market
for exported products is the European union. Recently India has applied to be included
on the “EU-Third-Country-List”, another growing market is USA.
 There has been plenty of policy emphasis on organic farming and trade in the recent
years in India.
 The 10th
five-year plan emphasizes promotion and encouragement to organic farming in
India with the use of organic waste, IPM and INM.
 Even 9th
five-year plan had emphasized the promotion of organic produce in plantation
crops, spices and condiments with the use of organic & bio-inputs.
 There are many states and private agencies involved in promotion of organic farming in
India. These include- various ministries and department of the government at the central
and state levels such as;
 Universities and Research centers
 Non Govt. organizations (NGO)
 Eco farms
 Certification bodies like INDOCERT, ECOCERT, SKAL and APOF etc.
The central and state governments have also identified Agri-Export Zone for agricultural
exports in general and organic products in some states:
 In Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal the Diversified Agriculture Support Project (DASP) is
promoted for organic farming.
 In Bangalore & Nilgiris; with 50 outlets in south India helps for supply the organic
products from small growers.
 IRFT (International Recourses for Fairer Trade) based in Mumbai, procures organic
cotton and agro products to sell them to Indian & foreign buyers to help the rural poors.
 Ion Exchange, Mumbai, a private company is engaged for export and domestic marketing
of organic products in India.
 In Himachal Pradesh; the net incomes per hectare from organic farming was found to be
2-3 times higher both in case of maize and wheat due to higher production and also for
higher price were obtained by organic produce.
 In Haryana; net returns was higher (2-3 times) in basmati rice, soybeans, arhar and wheat
because of 25 to 30 % price premium on organic produce and lower cost of production
and marketing.
 In Maharashtra; popularization of organic cotton production was due to high cost benefit
ratio of organic cotton 1:1.63 as against 1:1.47 for conventional cotton.
 In Gujarat; organic production of chickoo, banana and coconut had higher profitability
(Naik, 2001).
 In Karnataka; groundnut, jowar, cotton, coconut and banana were grown as organic. The
major problems faced by organic farmers were found to be initial lower yields, no price
incentives, no separate markets for organic produce, besides lack of and high costs of
certification (Singh, 2003).

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ORGANIC PRODUCTION REQUIREMENT
Organic farming is a concept for following the rule of nature. It is also operates on the
natural principles of sustainability. Soil is one of the most important natural resources, which
needs proper management for organic production requirement. For doing so, one should rely on
organic techniques like crop rotation, using natural manures and green manures, no addition of
synthetic substances, proper management of air and water, providing drainage, following
integrated pest control, using biological methods of disease and pest control. Using traps, use of
predators, increasing the population of beneficial plants and animals, addition of organic
material in the soil, using legume, use of bio fertilizers, modifying cropping systems, use of
cover crops, catch crops and establish proper soil-crop-animal-human being system. Such a
system should follow an integrated system approach so as to make the entire production system
biologically active, ecologically sound and economically viable. In short locally available natural
material should be used to increase soil productivity by improving soil environment.
Details Of Crop Production For Conversion To Organic System:-
1. Landscape :
 Use of local soil flora and fauna around the fields suited to the region should be
encouraged.
 Actions that affected the bio-diversify should be restricted as far as possible.
2. Soil And Water Conservation
 Relevant measures should be taken to prevent soil erosion, conservation of water,
prevent both excess and improper use of water and pollution of ground as well as
surface water
 Relevant measures should be taken to prevent salinization.
 Cleaning of land by burning of organic matter should be restricted to the absolute
minimum
3. Choice of crops and variety
 Seeds and planting materials should be purchased from traditional/ certified
organic production
 Seed treatment should be made with permissible products
 When certified organic seed not available, chemically untreated seed
conventional materials may be used
 New crop seed and plant material treated with synthetic pesticides, chemicals,
related or micro waved can only be allowed in regions where organic agriculture
is in the early stage
 Use of genetically engineered seeds, transgenic plants should not allowed
4. Crop rotations
 Certifying programmes should set minimum standards for crop rotations on
arable land, taking into account the nature of the crop, presence of weeds and
local conditions
 Certifying programmes can accept intercropping as part of crop rotation
programmes, considering the variations in cropping length of different crops
5. Manurial Policy
 Manurial policy should include green manure, leaf litter and vermin-composting
 Manure containing human faeces or untreated sewage should not be used on
vegetables produced for human consumption

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 Any organic wastes should be applied in their natural composition and should
not be rendered more soluble by chemical treatments
 All the materials should be in accordance with the standards
 All synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers including urea should be excluded
 Organic farm should have manurial policy to include inputs based on microbial,
plants or animal origin, provided they do not have adverse effects on the soil and
local ecology
6. Pests, diseases and weed management
 Products of traditional nature, preferably prepared at the farm from local plants,
animals and micro-organisms should be used
 Both physical and thermic methods are permitted
 Thermic sterilization of soil is allowed to combat both pests and diseases,
whenever necessary
 All the synthetic herbicides, fungicides, pesticides should be strictly prohibited
7. Plant growth regulators
 All synthetic products like growth regulators, dyes should not be used
 Products of traditional nature, preferably prepared at the farm from local plants,
animals and microorganisms should be used
CONVENTIONAL FARMING V/S ORGANIC FARMING
Conventional Farming Organic Farming
1.It is based on economical orientation, heavy
mechanization, specialization and dis-
appropriate development of enterprises with
unstable market oriented programme.
1. It is based on ecological orientation,
efficient input use efficiency, diversification
and balanced enterprise combination with
stability.
2.Supplementing nutrients through fertilizers,
weed control by herbicides, plant protection
measures by chemicals and rarely combination
with livestock.
2.Cycle of nutrients within the farm, weed
control by crop rotation and cultural
practices, plant protection by non-polluting
substances and better combination of
livestock.
3.Based on philosophy of to feed the crop/
plants.
3.‘Feed the soil not to the plant’ is the watch
word and slogan of organic farming.
4.Production is not integrated into environment
but extract more through technical
manipulation, excessive fertilization and no
correction of nutrient imbalances.
4.Production is integrated into environment,
balanced conditions for plants and animals
and deficiencies need to be corrected.
5.Low input: output ratio with considerable
pollution.
5.High input: output ratio with no pollution.
6.Economic motivation of natural resources
without considering principles of natural up
gradation.
6.Maximum consideration of all natural
resources through adopting holistic
approaches.

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RESEARCH NEEDS IN ORGANIC FARMING
• Standardization of organic farming practicse
• Development of package of practices
• Benefits obtained in relation to yield, quality and price
• Demand and supply situation
• Basis of certification, identification of areas and crops suited for organic farming
• Sustainability of productivity
• Constraints analysis, comparative studies of organic and inorganic farming on long term
basis
• Availability of organic inputs
• Convenience of use and agronomic efficiency
• Organic agriculture based farming systems
• Quality standards of different organic products

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INITIATIVE TAKEN BY GOVT, NGO AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR PROMOTION
OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
The Government is promoting organic farming in the country through schemes like
National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM),
Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas
Yojana (RKVY) and also Network Project on Organic Farming of Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR).
Funds allocated under NPOF, NHM, RKVY and HMNEH during 2013-14 are Rs.427.00
lakh, Rs.1215.50 lakh, Rs.14015.00 lakh, and Rs.1162.05 lakh respectively. Besides, ICAR
under Network Project on Organic Farming, with lead centre at Project Directorate for Farming
Systems Research, Modipuram, is developing package of practices of different crops and
cropping system under organic farming in different agro-ecological regions of the country.
Presently, the project is running at 13 co-operating centres including State Agricultural
Universities (SAUs) spread over 12 states. ICAR institutes including State Agricultural
Universities impart training and organize Front Line Demonstrations (FLD) to educate farmers
on aspects related to organic fertilizers.
SCHEMES TO PROMOTE ORGANIC FARMING IN INDIA
National Programme for Organic Production
This was implemented in the year 2001. It involves the following:
1. Accreditation programmes for certification agencies
2. Norms for organic production
3. Promotion of organic farming
The following states have been promoting organic farming through this scheme:
1. Kerala, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan,
Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram, have been promoting organic farming.
2. This programme provides information on organic production standards, criteria and
procedures for accreditation of inspection and certification bodies.
3. Standards and procedures have been involved in line with global standards like codex.
4. NPOP is administered under AGMARK by Ministry of Agriculture.
5. NPOP standards for production and accreditation have been recognised by European
Commission and Switzerland as well as USDA.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
This is a cluster based programme for promotion of organic farming.
1. 50 or more farmers will form a cluster with 50 acre land to carry out organic farming
under this scheme.
2. In 3 years, around 10,000 clusters will form covering 5 lakh acre area under organic
farming; farmers will have no liability for expenditure on certification.
3. As per the scheme, each farmer will be given INR 20,000 per acre in three years for seed
to harvesting of crops and transport of produce to the market.
4. Organic farming will also be promoted via traditional resources as part of the scheme.
5. Linkages will be formed between organic products and the market as per this scheme .
6. The scheme will also increase domestic production and certification of organic produce
through the medium of farmers.
7. Amount of INR 300 crore has been sanctioned for this scheme in 2015-2016

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National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
• This scheme works towards making organic farming sustainable, remunerative and
climate resistant.
• Efforts are also on to develop natural resources and promote efficient water use of
“more crop per drop” for organic farmers.
• The scheme also works to develop the capacity of organic farmers and stakeholders in
conjunction with other missions.
• It will also leverage other schemes such as MGNREA, IWMP and RKVY.
• It will also establish departmental/ministerial coordination for deliverables under the
scheme.
• It will work towards development of know-how and R&D for organic farmers
The Mission specifically involves SHM or Soil Health Management through:
- Residue management
- Organic farming practices
• These are through:
- Creation and linking of soil fertility maps with macro and micro nutrient management
- Relevant land use based on land use capability
- Judicious application of fertilisers
- Minimisation of soil erosion/degradation
• The scheme will be implemented by State Government, National Centre of Organic
Farming, Central Fertiliser Quality Control and Training Institute as well as Soil and
Land Use Survey of India Facts and Stats
• Area under cultivation of certified organic farming has grown 17 fold in the past one
decade from 42,000 ha in 2003-2004 to 7.23 lakh ha in 2013-2014.
• GoI has also implemented several other programmes and schemes for boosting organic
farming such as:
- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY),
- Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH),
- National Mission on Oilseeds & Oil Palm (NMOOP),
- Network Project on Organic Farming of ICAR.
 Area under organic certification in 2013-2014 according to an ASSOCHAM report was
4.72 m ha.
 Cultivated area was 0.72 ma and forest area was 4.00 m ha.
 Organic certified production amounted to 1.24 million MT of which cultivable
production was 1.23 m MT and wild collection was 0.01 m MT.
 In 2013-2014, as per ASSOCHAM report, quantity exported was 194087 MT of which
food was 177765MT and textiles was 16322 MT. This signifies an increase of 17.4% and
exports valued at INR 2428 crore rupees.
 Food exports were to the tune of INR 1328 crores and textiles were INR 1100 crore.
 This is an increase of 15.28% from the previous year.
 India’s total export of organic agricultural products in 2013-2014 was IUSD 220.47.
 It share in the organic global food market was 0.35%.
 Top 10 export destinations were the US, the EU, Canada, Switzerland, Japan,
Bangladesh, UAE, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.
 Organic certification is intended to provide quality assurance and prevent fraud.

17
ORGANIC ECOSYSTEMS AND THEIR CONCEPTS
This chapter describes the kind of variety characteristics required to fit and support a self
regulatory, organic farming from a non chemical and agro-ecological point of view.
A. Self Regulatory ability of organic farm-ecosystem :
1. System stability: through biodiversity, maintaining of natural resourses
2. Yield stability: measures to sustain the yield of crops.
B. Soil management :
1. Use of organic fertilizers
2. Use of bio-fertilizers
3. Use of cultural practices
Management helps in improvement of physical, chemical and biological properties
of soil.
C. Pest and and disease management:
1. Use of organic compound
2. Use of bio-pesticides
3. Use of bio-fertilizers
4. Use of cultural and mechanical methods.

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BIOLOGICAL INTENSIVE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
The practices of biological management of soil fertility are the old concept. It is the use
of biological resources of the ecosystem, particularly those of the soil itself, for manipulation of
soil fertility. Biological and physicochemical management are essentially based on integrated
approach to soil fertility management. It is an ecological approach to soil fertility management,
which has favoured balanced farming systems. Biological approach to soil fertility management
will help to restore fertility and will solve many problems related to soil management.
The success of biological management practices depends on following two
preconditions, which must be satisfied:
1. The availability of a management practice that is practically and economically acceptable
to the farmer.
2. The demonstration by the scientist that the practice leads to enhanced soil fertility.
Some soil microorganisms play an important role in improving soil fertility and crop
productivity due to their capability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, solubalise insoluble phosphate
and decompose farm wastes resulting in the release of plant nutrient. The extent of benefit from
these microorganisms depends upon their number and efficiency, which however, is governed
by a large number of soil and environmental factors. A number of products are now available
that are generally referred to as soil and plant additives, of non-traditional nature. These products
include:
1. Microbial fertilizers and soil inoculants contain unique and beneficial strains of soil
microorganisms.
2. Microbial activators that supposedly contain special chemical formulations for increasing
the numbers and activity of beneficial microorganisms in soil.
3. Soil conditions that claim to create favourable soil physical and chemical conditions,
which result in increased growth and yield of crops,
Nitrogen fixing organism can be provided to the farmers in the name of microbial
inoculants otherwise termed as biofertilizers.
ORGANIC MANURES
Manure: Manure is a well decomposed plant and animal wastes that are used as sources of plant
nutrients.
Organic manures: Organic manures grouped into bulky organic manures and concentrated
organic manures based on concentration of the nutrient.
Bulky Organic manures: Farm yard manures (FYM), compost, night soil, sheep manure, and
green manure are the important bulky organic manures.
Concentrated Organic manures: Oilcakes, blood meal, bone meal, fish manure etc. are imp.
Concentrated organic manures.
Classification of organic manure/fertilizers:
Organic manures are simply classified in to groups I Bulky organic manures and II
concentrated organic manure. They are further classified as follows:

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Organic Manures
Bulky organic Manures Concentrated organic Manures
Mainly derived from animal,
Plant as well as other organic wastes
and green plant tissues
Oil Blood Meat Others
cakes meal meal etc.
Non-edible to cattle Edible to cattle
(e.g. mahua, neem oil (e.g. mustard oil cake,
cakes, etc.) groundnut, oil cake etc.)
Farm yard manure (FYM), Green manures (e.g. dhaincha,
composts from farm and glyricidia, other leguminous
town refuses etc. crops, etc.)
Well decomposed Green
Animal plant and other plant tissues
Organic residues (undecomposed)
FARM YARD MANURE
Farm Yard Manure :- FYM refers to the decomposed mixture of dung and urine of farm
animals along with litter and left over material from roughages or fodder fed to the cattle.
On an average well decomposed F.Y.M contains 0.5 % N, 0.25% P2O5 and 0.5% K2O
Methods for preparation of farm yard manures
1. Pit method and Trench method
2. Heap method
3. Box method
1. Pit or Trench Method
This method is recommended by Acharya, C.R. for areas with less than 750.mm of rainfall
/year. The pit should be of 6m long. 1.5m broad and 1m deep. The floor of the pit should be
slopping in one direction, on the flour of the pit about 4kg of straw / Farm waste should be
spread as an absorbent material
The farm waste materials/refuses / waste grass should be spread in the evening before
tying the cattle in the shed & in the morning said bedding material collected & filled in the
compost pit. The bedding material is absorbed by the urine. Some collecting of urine is lossed
during storage or volatilization of urine is observed. Because it contain urine.

20
After collecting all of the dung and urine soaked bedding it should be well mixed so that
every piece of straw comes in contact with dung & urine to facilitate better decomposition
of the material. The material should be arranged layer by of about 30cm deep until the pit is
filled. Everyday the layer should be pressed down & covered with a layer of soil about 2cm
deep. This helps in absorbing ammonia that may otherwise escape and it keeping the material
moist. When the section is filled up to a height about 0.5 to 1m. Above ground level. The top
of the heap is made dome shaped & plastered with mixture of soil & dung after this the 1m
length of the pit is taken up in a couple of month, second trench is taken as far filling in a
similar manner.
Rain water from the surrounding area should not be allowed to enter the pit. This is
danger can be avoided by digging the pits on a high laying area or by digging a trench to
divert the water.
2. Heap method
In heavy rain fall area the heap method of storing the manure is recommended. The heaps
are prepared above ground and the manure yard situated on a high laying site. Every day the
material is arranged layer by layer. Each layer is equal length and breadth with a height of
about 30 cm when the heap is about 2 m high, it is rounded on the top & plastered over with
a mixture of soil & dung. The manure is ready for use after about 4 to 5 months.
3. Box method.
In this method, cattle shed it self is used for preparing & storing farm yard manure. The floor
of the shed is dug 0.5 to 1 m. below the ground level & straw leaves & other refuses are
spread daily on the floor to absorb urine. The litter & dung are trampled under the feet of the
animals tied in the shed. This process continues till the sunken portion rises slightly above
the ground level. The manure is then dug out & applied to the field.
COMPOST.
A mass of well rotted plant and animal residues is called the compost.
The process by which organic waste are converted into organic fertilizers by means of
biological activity under controlled conditions and decomposed material is called as compost.
The essential requirement for composting are air, moisture, optimum temperature and a small
quantity of nitrogen.
Enrichment Of Compost With Microbial Inoculants
Compost prepared by traditional method is usually low in nutrients and there is need to
improve its quality. Enrichment of compost using low cost N fixing and phosphate solubilising
microbes is one of the possible way of improving nutrient status of the product. It could be
achieved by introducing microbial inoculants, which are more efficient than the native strains
associated with substrate materials. Both the nitrogen fixing and phosphate solubilising microbes
are more exacting in their physiological and ecological requirements and it is difficult to meet
these requirements under natural conditions. The only alternative is to enhance their inoculums
potential in the composting mass. Studies conducted at IARI, New Delhi, showed that
inoculation with Azotobacter/Azospirillum and phosphate solubilising culture in the presence of
1% rock phosphate is a beneficial input to obtain good quality compost rich in nitrogen (1.8%).
The humus content was also higher in material treated with microbial inoculants.
Types of Compost:
1) Rural compost (compost from farm litter)

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This utilizes weeds, crop stubbles, farm yard wastage, straw, crops residues such as cotton
stalks, ground nut husk, leaves, sugarcane trash, urine soaked earth and litter from cattle
shed, waste fodder etc..
2) Urban compost (compost from town refuse)
The main components of town compost are night soil and street and dust bin (house) refuses
and wood ashes.
Method of preparation of farm compost:-
1) Indore method (Aerobic Shallow, Trench method or pit method)
2) Rain water compost (Aerobic Heap Method (Biodung Compost)
3) Banglore Method
4) Activated compost - (Anaerobic Trench method)
5) Vermi compost - Earth warm
6) NADEP Compost - Tank Method
7) Coimbatore method - Semi-Aerobic method
8) Super compost - Addition of super pophate
1. Indore method (Aerobic shallow, Trench method)
This method was worked by Howard & Wad 1931, composting was done from waste
material including woody and hard residues like cotton, and tar stalls. Material required for
preparing compost by this method are mixed plant residues, animal dung, urine, earth, wood
ashes, water and air.
Procedure:
Wood and hard material like cotton, and tur stalks etc, chopped in small pieces and crushed
by spreading farm roads for being trampled under the feet of bullocks and cart wheels. Soft
material like trash, farm waste etc are mixed and heaped of all these materials is prepared.
A pit should be about 10.0 x 1.5 x 2.0m in size. It should as hear as possible to cattle shed
for water supply. The material is spread evenly in the pit in leaves 7.5 to 10cm, earth being
covered by thin layers 2.5 to 5.0m. Each layer is spread with slurry made up of cattle dung
(3.5 kg urine earth, 4.5kg Fungus inoculums (taken from an actively fermented heap about
two weeks old). And 0.5kg wood ash in 18 liter of water). Sufficient quantity of water
sprinkled over the material in the pit to make it moist but not too wet.
The spraying of water also helps for the proper decomposition of the materials. In this way
the pit is filled layer by layer. It should not take more than six or seven days to fill the pit in
this manner. The pit is filled till the material is 30 cm above the ground level or to the level
of ground. The whole length of pit may not be filled, leave about one fourth pit empty to
facilitate subsequent turnings. Then the material is allowed to decompose for about two
weeks. The material is turned three times, first about 15 days after filling the pit, second after
15 days (30 days of filling pit) & third 60 days after filling. At each turning material is mixed
properly and moistured with water, compost is ready in about 3-4 months after initial filling.
2. Rain water compost
This method is used in heavy rainfall areas where pits are likely to be filled with water and
composting is done only above ground level. The heaps are prepared in the shape of pyramid,
2.5 x 2.5m at the bottom, 2.0 x 2.0m at top and 1.0m height. The material is crushed and as
in indor method, but water is not essential unless there is a long break of rainfall. This is
covered with earth. Two fuming are given. In each turning heap gets reduced in size. The

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final size of the heap; will be 1.2 x 1.2 x 1m. The manure is ready in about 2 ½ months. In
heavy rainfall areas heap may be prepared under the shed to avoid excessive leaching.
3. Activated compost
Flower developed this technique in which fresh materials are incorporated in an already
fermenting heap so that quicker decomposition can be obtained with already established
microbial population. This method is useful, particularly when offensive materials like night
soil are to be quickly and effectively disposed off.
4. Bangalore Method.
Pioneering work in preparation of manure in pits was carried out by Acharya (1939),
particularly on the utilization of town residues and night soil. This process is otherwise called
as hot fermentation method of manure production. In this method the compost production depot
is located on the city outskirts to transport town refuse and night soil to the pits. The depots
normally accommodate about 200 trenches with a spacing of 1-5m between trenches. First the
refuse is to make 15cm height layer. Then night soil is discharged over this and spread to a layer
of 5cm. After filling the pit with refuse and night soil in alternate layers, the pit is filled to 15cm
above ground level with a final layer of refuse of 15cm on the top. This may be dome-shaped
and covered with the thin layer of soil with red earth or mud to prevent moisture loss and
breeding of flies. Sullage water, if collected in carts as in some towns, may be emptied over the
layer of refuse. This system provides a method of disposal of any kind of waste, including
slaughter house waste, carcasses of animals, sewages.
The materials are allowed to remain as such without any turning and pot watering for
about three months. The decomposition of dumped materials in pits takes place largely in the
absence of sufficient air except in the surface layer. Though the decomposition is comparatively
slow, high temperature is not developed in the lower layers. Since the material does not receive
and any turnings, decomposition into a homogenous mass of manure does not take place. Even
then, the C/N ratio is reduced to less than 20:1 in about six months and the manure is ready for
use. As there is no watering and turning, it is suitable to areas having low water availability and
with scarce labour. When pits or trenches are not available for composting, town refuse and night
soils can be composted in above ground heaps of 1m height, 1m width and of any convenient
length by placing refuse and night soil in alternate layers as in trenches and adding the final
refuse on the top (gaur et. Al., 1984). In this method, the material decomposes more quickly
than in pits and can be used after 3-4 months. The compost obtained by this method would
contain 1.5 per cent N, 1.0 per cent P and 1.5 per cent K2O
5. NADEP Compost
In this method, plant wastes, dung slurry and clay soil are used as raw materials for
composing. The process is similar to heap methods of composting, but is one in brick lined
enclosures provided with air holes on all sides. However, this method has the disadvantage of
using large proportion of soil which is not desirable or acceptable under all situations.
6. Coimbatore methods
It is anaerobic degradation followed by aerobic process. First, pits of 4m length, 2m
width and 1m depth is formed in which crop residues or farm wastes are filled to a thickness of
about 15cm. Over this layer, cowdung slurry to enhance the rate of biodegradation is applied to
a thickness of 5cm. Above this layer, 1kg of bone meal, or rock phosphate to minimize the
nitrogen loss and to add phosphorous, is applied. Thus, application of crop residue/farm waste,
cowdung slurry, bone meal and rock phosphate in alternate layers is repeated till the height
reaches 0.5m above the ground level. Then the above ground portion is covered with red earth
or mud to prevent the rain water entry and it becomes an anaerobic process. After 30-35days,

23
the material is turned and it becomes an aerobic process. The compost will be ready within five
months.
GREEN MANURING
Green manure
Green undecomposed plant material used as manure is called green manure. It is obtained
in two ways by growing green manure crops or by collecting green leaf (along with twigs) from
plants grown in wastelands, field bunds and forest.
Green manuring
Green manuring can be defined as practice of ploughing or turning into the soil
undecomposed green plant tissues for the purpose of improving physical structure as well as
fertility of soil.
Leguminous green manures
Sesbania (Sesbania speciosa), Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata), Moong or green-gram (Vigna
unguiculata), Cowpea (Vigna radiata), Sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea), Cluster bean (Cyamopsis
tetragonoloba), Urid or black-gram (Vigna mungo), Berseem (Trifolium alexandrium)
Non leguminous green manuring crops
Jowar (Sorghum bicolor), Maize (Zea mays), Sunflower (Helianthus annus)
“Characters of a good green manuring crops”
1. It should yield a large quantity of green material with a short period
2. It should be quick growing, especially in the beginning so as to suppress the weeds.
3. It should preferably be a legume.
4. It should succulent & has more leafy growth.
5. It is easy to incorporate.
6. It is quickly decomposable
Nutrient content of important green manure and green leaf manure crops
Sr.No Crops Nutrient content (%) on dry wt. b
A) Green manure:- N P K
1. Sebania aculata – Dhaincha 3.3 0.7 1.3
2 Crotalaria Juncea Sannhemp 2.6 0.6 2.0
3 Sesbania speciosa 2.7 0.5 2.2
4 Tephrosia purpurea 2.4 0.3 0.8
5 Phasolus trilobus 2.1 0.5 -
B) Green leaf manure:-
1 Pongamia glabra (Karanj) 3.2 0.3 1.3
2 Glyricidia Maculeata 2.9 0.5 2.8
3 Azadirachta indica (Neem) 2.8 0.3 0.4
4 Calatropis giganta 2.1 0.7 3.6
Advantages Of Green Manuring
1. It adds the organic matter to the soil & stimulate the activity of micro-organisms.
2. It improves the Structure of the soil, thereby improving the water holding capacity of soil
decreasing runoff erosion.

24
3. It improves aeration in the rice soils by stimulating the activities of surface film of algae
and bacteria.
4. It fixes the nitrogen from atmosphere.
5. It suppresses the growth of weeds
6. It takes nutrients from lower layers of the soil and adds to the upper layer in which it is
incorporated.
7. Many green manure crops have additional use as sources of food, feed and fuel.
8. Certain green manure like Pongamia and Neem leaves are reported to have insect control
effects.
Disadvantage Of Green Manuring
1. Incidence of pest & diseases may increase
2. Loss of one crop
3. Depletion of moisture which affects the growth of the succeeding crop
Limitation In Raising Green Manure Crops
1. Non-availability of water resources may restrict raising of green manure crops.
2. Non-availability of good quality seeds.
TYPES OF GREEN MANURING
There are two types of green manuring
Green manuring in-situ
The most common green manure crops grown under this system are sunhemp (Crotalaria
juncea), dhanicha (Sesbania aculeata), Sesbania rostrata and gaur (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba).
In this system, green manure crops are grown and buried in the same field, which is to be green
manured, either as a pure crop or as an intercrop with the main crop.
Green-leaf manuring
Green-leaf manuring refers to turning into the soil green leaves and tender green twigs
collected from shrubs and trees grown on bunds, wastelands and nearby forest areas. The
common shrubs and trees uses are: Glyricidia (Glyricidia maculata), Sesbania (Sesbania
speciosa) and Karanj (Pongamia pinnata).
VERMICOMPOST
Vermiculture : Vermiculture is the method of mass multiplication of earthworms. It is an
excellent tool of organic farming, which is helpful in maintaining soil fertility status for a long
time.
Vermicompost : Vermicompost is nothing but the excreta of earthworms, which is rich in humus
and nutrients.
Vermicompost is a mixture of worm castings, organic material, humus, living
earthworms, cocoons and other organisms. Depending upon nature of substrate, vermicompost
contains 2.5 – 3.0% N, 1.0 – 1.5% phosphorous and 1.5 – 2.0% potash.
In India, only two species are being commonly used for vermiculture viz., Eisenia
foetida, and Eudrilus eugeniae.
The materials required for vermicomposting are
 Cattle dung,
 Agricultural wastes, e.g. vegetables wastes, sugarcane trash etc.
 Plant products, e.g. sawdust and pulp, various types of leaf litter.
 City refuse or garbage
 Biogas slurry
 Industrial wastes.

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Vermicompost can be prepared by pit, heap method or in concrete tank. However, all the
methods shed is necessary for protecting the worms from rain and direct sunlight.
Preparation of vermicompost by heap method :
1. Prepare the heap of organic matter having size 2.5 – 3 m length, and 90 cm width.
2. First sprinkler the water on ground
3. Place 3-5 cm thick layer of slowly decomposing organic substances such as coconut coir,
grass, rice husk, baggas etc. and sprinkle sufficient water on it.
4. Over this layer, place 3-5 cm thick layer of partially decomposed FYM or Compost or
Garden soil and moist it. This layer will serve as a temporary shelter for earthworm
5. Then release the earthworm on it.
6. Then place a layer of partially decomposed crop residue, cowdung, weeds, leaves of
glyricidia, poultry manure. fish meal etc. For enhancing decomposition and
vermicomposting process the organic material should be cut into smaller pieces. The
total height of the heap should not be more 60cm. Sprinkle sufficient water on it.
7. Cover the heap with gunny bag and sprinkle water daily to maintain 40-50 % moisture
content. The temperature of the heap should be 25 – 300
C.
8. After 2 - 2.5 months the heap will be ready for harvest with good quality vermicompost.
The removed vermicompost should be heaped in an open place. Then the worms will
find way to the bottom of the heap. The vermicompost from the top can be removed,
dried in shed and sieved to separate the earthworm, which will be again used for
preparation of vermicompost.
Preparation of vermicompost in concrete tank
1. The vermicompost can be prepared in concrete tank. The size of the tank should be 10 ft.
length or more depending upon the availability of land and raw materials, breadth 3- 5ft
and height 3 ft. Suitable plastic tube / basin structure may also be needed. The floor of
the tank should be connected with stones and pieces of bricks.
2. The available bio-wastes are to be collected and are to be heaped under sun about 7-10
days and be chopped if necessary.
3. Sprinkling of cow dung slurry to the heap may be done.
4. A thin layer of half decomposed cow dung (1-2 inches) is to be placed at the bottom.
5. Place the chopped bio waste and partially decomposed cow dung layer wise (10-20 cm)
in the tank / pot upto the depth of 2 ½ ft. The bio waste and cow dung ratio should be 60:
40 on dry wt. Basis.
6. Release about 2-3 kg earthworms per ton of biomass or 100 nos. earthworms per one sq.
ft. area.
7. Place wire net / bamboo net over the tank to protect earthworm from birds.
8. Sprinkling of water should be done to maintain 70-80 % moisture content.
9. Provision of a shed over the compost is essential to prevent entry of rainwater and direct
sunshine.
10. Sprinkling of water should be stopped when 90 % bio-wastes are decomposed. Maturity
could be judged visually by observing the formation of granular structure of the compost
at the surface of the tank.
11. Harvest the vermicompost by scrapping layer wise from the top of the tank and heap
under shed. This will help in separation of earthworms from the compost. Sieving may
also be done to separate the earthworms and cocoons.

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ADVANTAGES OF VERMICOMPOST
1. Vermicompost is rich in all essential plant nutrients.
2. Vermicompost is free flowing, easy to apply, handle and store and does not have bad
odour
3. It improves soil structure, texture, aeration, and water holding capacity and prevents soil
erosion
4. Vermicompost is rich in beneficial micro flora such as a fixers, P- solubilizers, cellulose
decomposing micro-flora etc in addition to improve soil environment.
5. Vermicompost contains earthworm cocoons and increases the population and activity of
earthworm in the soil
6. It prevents nutrient losses
7. Vermicompost is free from pathogens, toxic elements, weed seeds etc.
8. Vermicompost minimizes the incidence of pest and diseases.
9. It enhances the decomposition of organic matter in soil.
10. It contains valuable vitamins, enzymes and hormones like auxins, gibberellins etc.
VERMI-WASH
The preparation of vermiwash is made from earthworms reared in earthen pots or plastic
drums. It contains vitamins (B-12), hormones (giberllins) etc.
The steps followed in preparation of vermiwash are as follows.
1. Take plastic drum of 60 lit. capacity having a hole situated at the bottom, to which
water tap fixed to collect vermiwash.
2. Fill the drum with pieces of bricks upto 10 cm height from the bottom, above which
5 cm thick layer of coarse sand is add, Above this, a plastic net is placed and spread
out for effective drainge
3. Place 30 cm thick layer of partially decomposed 15-20 days old cow dung and
sprinkle sufficient water to moisten the layer
4. Release 500 full grown earthworms in the waste/dung layer
5. Place 30 cm thick layer of organic material and sprinkle water @ of 50 % of the
weight of organic matter to moisten the layer. The water should be sprinkled at two
days interval.
6. Allow the composting process to continue till brownish black mask of compost is
obtained. Occasionally, two or three tablespoons of fresh cow dung slurry is poured
on the humus as feed for the worms.
7. After the formation of compost, soak the entire mask with water. After 24 hours the
stagnated water at bottom of drum is collected through water tap fixed at the bottom
is called as ‘Vermiwash’.
BIOGAS SLURRY
Instead of directly using the animal dung for composting it can be used for production of
biogas by feeding through Biogas Plants. It contains (1–1.8% N, 0.4–0.9% P2O5 and 0.6-1%
K2O) due to low volatilization losses of ammonia.
NIGHT SOIL (Poudrette)
Night soil is human excreta, both solid and liquid. It contains 5.5% N, 4% P2O5 and 2%
K2O. The dehydration of night soil, as such or after admixture with absorbing materials like soil,

27
ash, charcoal and sawdust produces a poudrette that can be used easily as manure. Poudrette
contains about 1.32% N, 2.8% P2O5 and 4.1% K2O.
SEWAGE AND SLUDGE
The solid portion in the sewage (human excreta + water) is called sludge and liquid
portion is sewage water. It can be recycled for crop fertilization, irrigation to the crop,
aquaculture production, application to forest land, biogas production and land reclamation. It
was estimated that total waste generated by 217 million people in urban areas is 39 mt/ year
(2001). The total NPK content of this would be 2.5 lac tone of N, 2.6 lac tone of P and 2.6 lac
tone of K. Both the components are separated and are given a preliminary fermentation and
oxidation treatments to reduce bacterial contamination and offensive smell, otherwise soil
quickly becomes “sewage sick” owing to the mechanical clogging by colloidal matter in the
sewage and the development of anaerobic organisms which not only reduce the nitrate already
present in the soil but also produce alkalinity. These defects can be removed by thoroughly
aerating the sewage in the settling tank by blowing air through it. The sludge that settles at the
bottom in this process is called “activated sludge” (3.6% N, 2% P2O5 & 1% K2O).
SHEEP & GOAT MANURE
The droppings of sheep and goat contain higher nutrients than FYM and compost. On an
average, the manure contains 3% N, 1% P2O5 & 2%K2O). It is applied to the field in two ways-
i) Sweeping of sheep and goat sheds are placed in pits for decomposition and it is applied later
to the field. ii) Sheep penning- wherein sheep and goats are allowed to stay over night in the field
and urine and faecal matter is added to soil.
POULTRY MANURE
Poultry manure can supply higher N and P to the soil than other bulky organic manures. The
average nutrient content is 2.87% N, 2.93% P2O5 & 2.35% K2O.

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RECYCLING OF ORGANIC RESIDUES.
Organic wastes and surplus crop residues can be recycled in the soil to improve the
biological, chemical and physical properties of soil resulting in higher yield. There are three
ways of recycling the organic residue in the soil
1. In-situ manuring :- In this method the manure is provided by animal or plant sources at site
.
2. Ex-situ manuring :- The organic matter and plant nutrients taken out in terms of biological
yield need to be returned to the soil for sustaining the soil fertility. Incorporation of decomposed
plant and animal wastes are the major source for this type of manuring.
3. Biological manuring :- Several types of fauna and flora which either help in mobilizing
organic matter and nutrient or act as nutrient provider from other sources e.g. Nitrogen fixing
microbes.
ORGANIC RECYCLABLE WASTES
Organic recyclable wastes includes crop residues, livestock and human wastes, Urban
and rural wastes, Agro –industries wastes, Marine wastes etc. They are valuable sources of plant
nutrient and humus. Tropical and sub-tropical soils found in India, there is general deficiency of
organic carbon and plant nutrients due to rapid loss of these components by bio-degradation. To
make up these losses, extensive utilization of organic residues in agriculture is essential.
In India, there is a great potential for utilization of crop residues/straw of major crops.
Even if 50% crop residues are utilized as animal feed, the rest could be mobilized for recycling
of plant nutrients.
SOURCES OF ORGANIC WASTES:
1. Crop residues: Residues left out after the harvest of the economic portion are called crop
residues/straw. Straw has good manurial value since it contain appreciable amount of
plant nutrients. On an average, cereal straw and residues contain about 0.5%N, 0.6%
P2O5 and 1.5% K2O. The crop residues can be recycled by way of incorporation, compost
making or mulch material.
2. Agro-industrial wastes: Agro-industrial wastes are available in substantial quantities at
processing sites and can be effectively utilized as manure.
i) Rice husk: It is the major by-product of the rice milling industry. Unhulled
paddy grain constitutes 20-25% of husk. It is a poor source of manure and the
nutrient is very low (0.3-0.4%N, 0.2-0.3% P2O5 and 0.3 – 0.5% K2O). Rice
husk should be incorporated into the wet soil and can be used in saline and
alkaline soils to improve the physical conditions. It can also be used as a
bedding material for animals.
ii.) Bagasse: It is the by-product of sugar industry. It is mainly used as fuel in boilers
of sugar factories. It can be used as manure raw or after composting. It contain 0.25%N
and 0.12% P2O5 .
ii) Pressmud: It is the by-product of sugar industry. It contain 1.25%N, 2% P2O5
and 20-25% organic matter. Addition of pressmud is highly useful to acidic
soils since it contains high amount of lime (upto 45%) .
iii) Tea wastes: In the tea industry, tea wastes are available during the course of
tea production, processing and storage. Tea wastes are used for extraction of
caffeine. The decaffeinated tea wastes can be used as a manure. Nutrient
content of the spent tea waste is 0.3-0.35%N, 0.4% P2O5 and 1.5% K2O

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iv) Coir waste: It is the wastes product from the coir industry and mostly dumped
near the road sides. To reduce the bulk and C:N ratio, composting of coirpith
is recommended. The composted coirpith contains 1.26%N, 0.06% P and
1.2% K with C/N ratio 24:1. The lignin is reduced to 4.8% due to composting.
3. Livestock and Human wastes: Cattle shed wastes, other livestock and human excreta,
byproducts of slaughter houses and animal carcases
4. Urban and rural wastes: Human habitation has always created large usable wastes.
Such wastes may consists of
a. Garbage – Household wastes, road sweepings wastes
b. Sewage – Consisting of solid and liquid wastes from internal drainage. It may consist
of Sewage sludge (solid part) and sewage water
c. Sullage: That part of the city wastes from which separation of liquid and solid part is
not possible.
5. Marine wastes: Fish meal and aquatic /sea weeds
RECYCLING OF CROP RESIDUES
A variety of organic residues include crop residues in the form of straw, husk, forest litter;
animal wastes like dung urine, bones etc., guano, city or household residues, oil cakes, bye
products of food and sugar industries, pond silt, marine wastes, sea weeds and human habitation
wastes. There are two major components of crop residues available, i. e. harvest refuse (straw,
stubbles, haulm of different crops) and process wastes (nut shell, oilcakes and cobs of maize,
bajra and sorghum). Crop residues are defined as ‘the non-economic plant parts that are left in
the field after harvest and remains that are generated from packing sheds or that are discarded
during crop processing’. The benefits of proper organic residue recycling are that they supply
essential plant nutrients, improve soil properties, protect the soil from erosion hazards, reducing
residue accumulation at the sites they produced, providing employment as well as income to
many, enhancing environmental qualities and illustrate that man is not a waste generator but also
its wise utiliser/ manager.
METHODS OF RECYCLING
Organic residues can be recycled in soil by different methods like incorporation, burning, surface
mulching, composting etc.
a. Incorporation - The crop residues like maize, rice, sorghum, wheat straw can be directly
applied to the field and ploughed in the soil before the rainy season has beneficial effect on
soil properties. Farm wastes can be ploughed in the soil ((0-20 cm layer). After harvesting
of cotton, sugarcane, sorghum etc. can be incorporated into the soil by use of rotavator
implements which directly adding small pieces of crop residues in the soil.
b. Burning - A large quantity of sugarcane trash, cotton stalks, caster stalks etc are available
and many farmers burn them in the field. It is not advisable practice as burning kills the
soil fauna and flora, increases losses of N, C, S and possibly some other nutrients in
volatilization and results in unfavorable soil conditions. Although burning releases Ca, Mg
and k from crop residues but increases the potential loss due to leaching and erosion.
c. Surface mulching – One unique and simple way of profitable recycling the crop residues
is their use as surface mulching materials. Mulches are thermo insulators, have smother
effect on weeds, protect the soil from rain drop impact, reduce salinisation and barriers to
vapour transfer thus conserve soil moisture. It is also beneficial for soil micro organisms
and on degradation adds organic matter to the soil.

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d. Composting – As discussed earlier compost is the stabilized and sanitized product of
composting which is beneficial to soil health and plant growth. A huge quantity of crop
wastes/residues and animal wastes are always available on a farm. Properly recycled, these
residues form excellent compost in one to six months, depending upon the composting
process used. The important methods of composting are NADEP compost, vermicompost,
sugarcane trash compost, obnoxious weed compost and recycling of pond silt accumulation
alone or by enriching composting units.
CONCENTRATED ORGANIC MANURES
These have required in small quantities and contain higher nutrients as compared to bulky
organic manures. The most commonly used are oil cakes, fish meal, meat meal, blood meal, horn
& hoof meal, bird guano, raw bone meal etc. which act a good source of organic manures for
organic farming system.
1. OIL CAKES
Oil cakes are generally grouped into two groups, viz., edible oil cakes suitable for feeding
the cattle and other domestic animals and non-edible oil cakes exclusively used as manure due
to their higher content of plant nutrients. It has been estimated that India produced about 2.5
million tones of oil cakes annually
Non-edible oil cakes are used as manure especially for horticultural crops. Nutrient
present in oil cakes, after mineralization, are made available to crops 7-10 days after application.
Oil seed cakes need to be well powdered before application for even distribution and quicker
decomposition. Neem cake acts as Nitrification Inhibitor.
Average nutrient content of different oil cakes
Oil cakes
Per cent composition
N% P% K%
Edible oil cakes (feed for livestock)
Safflower (decorticated) 7.9 2.20 1.9
Groundnut 7.3 1.5 1.3
Cotton seed (decorticated) 6.5 2.9 2.2
Non-edible oil cakes (not fed to livestock)
Safflower (un-decorticated) 4.9 1.4 1.2
Cotton seed (un-decorticated) 3.9 1.8 1.6
Caster 4.3 1.8 1.3
Neem 5.2 1.0 1.4
2. FISH MEAL
Sea food canning industries are present in almost all coastal states of India, Fishes which
is not preferred for table purposes due to their small size, bonny nature and poor taste can be
converted into very good organic manure. The fish is dried, powdered and filled in bags. It
contains average nutrients are 4-10, 3-9 & 0.3-1.5 NPK. These manures are highly suitable for
fruit orchards and plantation crops.
3. MEAT MEAL
An adult animal can provide 35 to 45 kg of meat after slaughter or death. It contains 8-
9% N and 7% P2O5.
4. BLOOD MEAL
Blood manure contain about 13-20%N, rich in Iron and its application gives a deep rich
colour to foliage.

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5. HORN & HOOF MEAL
A healthy animal can give about 3 to 4 kg of horn and hoof. These materials are dried,
powdered, bagged and marketed as manure. It contains 13% N.
6. GUANO (Bird / Fish)
The excreta and dead remains of the bird is called bird guano (11-14% N & 2-3% P2O5)
and the refuse left over after the extraction of oil from the fish in factories, dried in cemented
yards and used as manure is called as fish guano (7% N & 8% P2O5).
7. RAW BONE MEAL - An excellent source of organic phosphorus. It contains 3 to 4%
N and 20 to 25% P2O5.
BIOFERTILIZER
Biofertilizer: The term bio-fertilizer refers to the preparation containing primarily active strains
of microorganism. They are ready to use live formulates of such microorganism, which on
application to seed, root or soil fix atmospheric nitrogen or solubilize/mobilize plant nutrients or
otherwise stimulate plant growth substances.
In other words biofertilizer are living organisms or bioinoculants which have got the
capacity to convert unavailable form of plant nutrient to available form of nutrient for plant use.
This is a low cost input in crop production through which farmer will get more yield from the
crop with good quality fruits.
The important characteristics of biofertilizers are:
1. These groups are self generating sources
2. These groups can be nutrient fixer, nutrient solubilizer or nutrient mobilizes.
3. These organisms secrete hormones or growth promoting substances for better
yield.
4. Secretion of antibiotics by these organisms is utilized for disease control.
5. Use of these organisms reduces environmental pollution.
6. These microorganisms are ecofriendly.
Types of biofertilizers or Classification of biofertilizers:
Depending upon the activity of mobilizing different nutrient biofertilizers are broadly classified
as
1. Nitrogen Fixer
2. Phosphate solubilizer and mobilize
3. Compost accelerators and enrichers
1. Nitrogen fixer: Depending upon the mechanisms of nitrogen fixation this group is
broadly grouped as:
i. Symbiotic Nitrogen fixer: There microbes fix atmospheric nitrogen with
symbiotic association.
a) Rhizobium is host specific and they fix nitrogen with symbiotic
association with host plant. It is recommended for leguminous pulses
and oilseeds.
b) Azolla (Azolla and Anabaena azollae)
ii. Associative symbiotic Nitrogen fixer:
a)Azospirilluum
b) Acetobacter

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iii. Non-Symbiotic Nitrogen fixer:
1. Azotobacter
2. Blue green algae
2. Phosphate solubilizer and mobilize:
These are responsible for conversion of fixed form of phosphorus to available form.
The Phosphate solubilizing biofertilizer includes Bacillus, Pseudomonas or fungi
such as Aspergillus, Penicillium
The Phosphate mobilizing biofertilizer includes VA-mycorrhizal fungi such as
Blomus, Gigaspora etc.
3. Compost accelerators and enrichers: Decomposition or composting is essentially a
microbiological process accomplished by the combined activity of bacteria, fungi,
actinomycetes and protozoa. Compost accelerators are needed to decompose the lignin
and cellulose of the waste materials. Species of Trichoderma, Penicillium, Aspergillus,
Trichurus and Paecilliomyces are the compost accelerators. Cellulolytic (Trichoderma)
and lignolytic (Humicola).
Details of Biofertilizers
1. Rhizobium: It is the most widely used biofertilizer. It forms nodules on the roots of
leguminous plants, which fixes the atmospheric nitrogen in the soil. Both the legumes
(Macro partner) and Rhizobium (Micro partner) are mutually benefited by this
association. The root nodules act as site for nitrogen fixation. The Rhizobium legume
association can fix upto 100-300 kg N/ha. in one season and in certain situations can
leave behind substantial nitrogen for the following crop. The range of nitrogen fixed per
hectare per year by diff. legumes is 100-150 kg for clover, 80-85 kg for cowpea, 100-300
kg for alfalfa, 90-100 kg for lentil, 50-60 kg for groundnut, 60-80 kg for soybean, 168-
200 kg for pigeon pea, 100-400 kg for pasture legumes, 50-55 kg for black gram and
green gram.
There is generally high specific between the bacteria and host plant called as cross inoculation
groups.
The Rhizobium species that can form nodules and fix N with specific leguminous plant are:
1. R. ciceri: It nodules chickpea.
2. R. etli: It nodules bean
3. R. japonicam: It nodules on soyabean.
4. R. leguminoserum: It nodules on peas, broad beans, lintils etc.
5. R. lupine: It nodules lupinous sp and Oenithopus sp.
6. R. meliloti: It nodules Meliloti (sweet clover), alfalfa and fenugreek.
7. R. phaseoli: It nodules Phaseolus.
8. R. trifolii : It nodules Trifolium
2. Azolla: A small floating water fern, Azolla is commonly seen in low land fields and in
shallow fresh water bodies in rice. This fern harbours blue-green algae, Anabaena
azollae. The Azolla-Anabeana association is a live floating nitrogen factory using energy
from photosynthesis to fix atmospheric nitrogen amounting to 100-150 kg N/ha/year
from about 40-60 tonnes of biomass. The release of N from Azolla is slow but steady.
Dry azolla contains 2.08,0.61 2.05 percent NPK and its C:N ratio is 14:1.

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3. Azospirillum: Azospirillum is an associative symbiotic bacterium as it lives in close
proximity and sometimes within the root tissue of the plants and fixes atmospheric
nitrogen. The crops which responds to Azospirillum inoculation are maize, barly, oats,
sorghum, pear millet and forage crops. Azospirillum applications increase grain
productivity of cereals by 5-20%, of millels by 30% and of fodder by over 50%.
Azospirillum excretes growth-promoting hormone (IAA), gibberellic acid, cytokinins
and vitamins which results in more root biomass. Azospirillum inoculated plants can
tolerate drought and extract soil moisture from deeper layer of soil. It promotes uptake
of nutrients.
4. Acetobacter: is a rod sheped, aerobic, N- fixing bacteria. These bacteria found in the
roots, stems and leaves of sugarcane with the potential to fix up to 200 kg /ha. It is
capable of growth at Ph 3. It can also solubilise insoluble forms of P. Inoculation with
Acetobacter is recommended for sugarcane.
5. Azotobactor: The beneficial effects of Azotobacter biofertilizer on cereals, millets,
vegetables, cotton and sugarcane under both irrigated and rainfed field conditions have
been substantiated and documented. Application of azotobacter has been found to
increase the yields of wheat, rice, maize, pearl millet and sorghum upto 30%. Apart from
nitrogen, this organism is also capable of producing antibacterial and antifungal
compounds, hormones and siderophores.
6. Blue-Green Algae: The utilization of blue-green algae as a biofertilizer for rice is very
promising. They are photosynthetic nitrogen fixers i.e. they use energy derived from
photosynthesis to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Methods have been developed for mass
production of algal biofertilizer and rice growers in many parts of the world have already
started using these algae. Recent researches have shown that algae also help to reduce
soil alkalinity and this opens up possibilities for bioreclamation of such inhospitable
environments. BGA also secretes hormones.
7. Mycorrhizae (Nutrient mobilizing bio-fertilizers): VMA the symbiotic association
between plant roots and fungal mycelia is termed as mycorrhizae (Fungal roots).
Mycorrhizae fungi infect and spread inside the root system. They possess special structures
known as vesicles and arbuscles. The arbuscles help in transfer of nutrients from the fungus
to the root system and the vesicles, which are sac like structure stores P as phospholipids.
Mycorrhizae fungi increase root absorbing surface and reaches outside the root depletion
zones. It directly translocates the nutrients like Phosphorus, Zn, Cu, K, Mn and Mg from the
soil to the root cortex. Imp. crops associated with these fungi are wheat, Maize, Millets,
Beans, Potatoes, Soybeans, Tomatoes, Grapes, Apples, Banana, Sugarcane, Castor, Tobacco,
Tea, Coffee, Cocoa and Rubber.
Methods of Biofertilizer application:
Biofertilizer can be applied mainly by following three methods.
1. Seed treatment: The bioferlizer are mixed with water and slurry is prepared. Required amount
of seed is mixed properly with the slurry in such a way that there will be a thin and complete
coating of biofertilizer on the seed. The treated seed should be dried under the shade and then
sown in the field preferably in afternoon.

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2. Root treatment: The crops which are grown from seedling, the root of these seedlings
should be dipped in the biofertilizer solution for half an hour and then the seedling will be
transplanted in the main field. Seedling root dip is highly effective for vegetable seedling,
sugarcane stem cutting, potato tuber cutting as well as for rice seedling also.
3. Soil treatment: Biofertilizer @ 10 kg/ha is required for effective and efficient nutrient
management. The biofertilizer is distributed in the field uniformly. On the other hand required
quality of biofertilizer should be incubated with FYM for 24 hours and applied in the field for
even and effective distribution.
Advantages of biofertilizer application:
1. It is low cost input for crop production
2. It is a pollution free input.
3. It is an energy conserving input in agriculture.
4. It is helpful for quicker decomposition.
5. It maintains soil health without creating any environmental pollution.
6. This input reduces the underground water pollution
7. It secretes some hormone and growth regulator which indirectly helpful for higher crop
production.
8. Plant nutrient release from biofertilizer available to the plant slowly.
9. It secretes some antibiotic which reduces crop diseases.

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RESTRICTIONS TO NUTRIENT USE IN ORGANIC FARMING
Nutrient Management
 Sufficient quantities of biodegradable material of microbial, plant or animal origin
produced on organic farms shall form the basis of the nutrient management programme
to increase or at least maintain its fertility and the biological activity within it.
 Fertilization management should minimize nutrient losses. Accumulation of heavy
metals and other pollutants shall be prevented.
 Non synthetic mineral fertilisers and brought-in bio fertilisers (biological origin) shall be
regarded as supplementary and not as a replacement for nutrient recycling.
 Desired pH levels shall be maintained in the soil by the producer.
 The certification programme shall set limitations to the total amount of biodegradable
material of microbial, plant or animal origin brought onto the farm unit, taking into
account local conditions and the specific nature of the crops.
 The certification programme shall set procedures which prevent animal runs from
becoming over manuring where there is a risk of pollution.
 Mineral fertilizers shall only be used in a supplementary role to carbon based materials.
Only those organic or mineral fertilizers that are brought in to the farm (including potting
compost) shall be used when, the circumstances demand in accordance with Annex 1.
 Permission for use shall only be given when other fertility management practices have
been optimized 25
 Manures containing human excreta (faeces and urine) shall not permitted to prevent
transmission of pests, parasites and infectious agents.
 Mineral fertilisers shall be applied in their natural composition and shall not be rendered
more soluble by chemical treatment. The certification programme may grant exceptions.
These exceptions shall not include mineral fertilisers containing nitrogen.
 The certification programme shall lay down restrictions for the use of inputs such as
mineral potassium, magnesium fertilisers, trace elements, manures and fertilisers with a
relatively high heavy metal content and/or other unwanted substances, e.g. basic slag,
rock phosphate and sewage sludge. All synthetic nitrogenous fertilisers are prohibited.
Products for Use in Fertilising and Soil Conditioning
In organic agriculture the maintenance of soil fertility may be achieved through the
recycling of organic material whose nutrients are made available to crops through the action of
soil micro organisms.
Many of these inputs are restricted for use in organic production. In this annex
"restricted" means that the conditions and the procedure for use shall be subjected to condition.
Factors such as contamination, risk of nutritional imbalances and depletion of natural resources
shall be taken into consideration.
PRODUCT FOR USE IN FERTILIZING AND SOIL CONDITIONINGH
Inputs Condition for use
A. Matter Produced on an Organic Farm Unit
Farmyard & poultry manure, slurry, cow urine Permitted
Crop residues and green manure Permitted

36
Straw and other mulches Permitted
B. Matter Produced Outside the Organic Farm Unit
Blood meal, meat meal, bone meal and feather meal without
preservatives
Restricted
Compost made from any carbon based residues
(animal excrement including poultry)
Restricted
Farmyard manure, slurry, cow urine (preferably after control
fermentation and/or appropriate dilution) “factory” farming
sources not permitted
Restricted
Fish and fish products without preservatives Restricted
Guano Restricted
Human excrement Prohibited
By-products from the food and textile industries of biodegradable
material of microbial, plant or animal origin without any synthetic
additives
Restricted
Peat without synthetic additives
Prohibited for soil
conditioning
Sawdust, wood shavings, wood provided it comes from untreated wood Permitted
Seaweed and seaweed products obtained by physical processes
extraction with water or aqueous acid and/or alkaline solution Restricted
Sewage sludge and urban composts from separated sources which
are monitored for contamination Restricted
Straw Restricted
Vermicasts Restricted
Animal charcoal Restricted
Compost and spent mushroom and vermiculate substances Restricted
Compost from organic household reference Restricted
Compost from plant residues Permitted
By products from oil palm, coconut and cocoa (including empty
fruit bunch, palm oil mill effluent (pome), cocoa peat and empty
cocoa pods) Restricted
By products of industries processing ingredients from organic
agriculture Restricted
Inputs Condition for use
C. Minerals
Basic slag Restricted
Calcareous and magnesium rock Restricted
Calcified seaweed Permitted
Calcium chloride, Calcium carbonate of natural origin (chalk, limestone,
gypsum and phosphate chalk) Permitted
Mineral potassium with low chlorine content (e.g. sulphate of
potash, kainite, sylvinite, patenkali) Restricted
Natural phosphates (e.g. Rock phosphates) Restricted
Pulverised rock Restricted

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Sodium chloride Permitted
Trace elements (Boron, Ferrous, Manganese, Molybdenum, Zinc) Restricted
Wood ash from untreated wood Restricted
Potassium sulphate Restricted
Magnesium sulphate (Epson salt) Permitted
Gypsum (Calcium sulphate) Permitted
Silage and silage extract Permitted excluding
Ammonium silage
Aluminum calcium phosphate Restricted
Sulphur Restricted
Stone meal Restricted
Clay ((bentonite, perlite, zeolite) Permitted
D. Microbiological Preparations
Bacterial preparations (biofertilizers) Permitted
Biodynamic preparations Permitted
Plant preparations and botanical extracts Permitted
Vermiculate Permitted
Peat Permitted
“Factory” farming refers to industrial management systems that are heavily reliant on
veterinary and feed inputs not permitted in organic agriculture.
CHOICE OF CROPS AND VARIETIES IN ORGANIC FARMING
Choice of Crops and Varieties
1. All seeds and plant material shall be certified organic. Species and varieties cultivated
shall be adapted to the soil and climatic conditions and be resistant to pests and diseases.
In the choice of varieties, genetic diversity shall be taken into consideration.
2. When organic seed and plant materials are available, they shall be used.
3. When certified organic seed and plant materials are not available, chemically untreated
conventional seed and plant material shall be used.
4. The use of genetically engineered seeds, transgenic plants or plant material is prohibited.
Factors influencing decisions on the selection of crops & cropping system:
Farmers need to answer all the below questions while making decisions for choosing a crop/
cropping pattern. During this decision making process, farmers cross check the suitability of
proposed crop/cropping systems with their existing resources and other conditions. Thereby,
they justify choosing or rejecting a crop/cropping systems. This process enables the farmers to
undertake a SWOT analysis internally which in turn guides them to take an appropriate decision.
1. Climatic factors - Is the crop/cropping system suitable for local weather parameters such
as temperature, rainfall, sun shine hours, relative humidity, wind velocity, wind direction,
seasons and agro-ecological situations?
2. Soil conditions - Is the crop/cropping system suitable for local soil type, pH and soil
fertility?
3. Water:
 Do you have adequate water source like a tanks, wells, dams, etc.?
 Do you receive adequate rainfall?

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 Is the distribution of rainfall suitable to grow identified crops?
 Is the water quality suitable?
 Is electricity available for lifting the water?
 Do you have pump sets, micro irrigation systems?
4. Cropping system options
 Do you have the opportunity to go for inter-cropping, mixed cropping, multi-
storeyed cropping, relay cropping, crop rotation, etc.?
 Do you have the knowledge on cropping systems management?
5. Past and present experiences of farmers
 What were your previous experiences with regard to the crop/cropping systems
that you are planning to choose?
 What is the opinion of your friends, relatives and neighbours on proposed
crop/cropping systems?
6. Expected profit and risk
 How much profit are you expecting from the proposed crop/cropping system?
 Whether this profit is better than the existing crop/cropping system?
 What are the risks you are anticipating in the proposed crop/cropping system?
 Do you have the solution?
 Can you manage the risks?
 Is it worth to take the risks for anticipated profits?
7. Economic conditions of farmers including land holding
 Are the proposed crop/cropping systems suitable for your size of land holding?
 Are your financial resources adequate to manage the proposed crop/cropping
system?
 If not, can you mobilize financial resources through alternative routes?
8. Labour availability and mechanization potential
 Can you manage the proposed crop/cropping system through your family labour?
 If not, do you have adequate labours to manage the same?
 Is family/hired labour equipped to handle the proposed crop/cropping system?
 Are there any mechanization options to substitute the labour?
 Is machinery available? Affordable? Cost effective?
 Is family/hired labour equipped to handle the machinery?
9. Technology availability and suitability
 Is the proposed crop/cropping system suitable?
 Do you have technologies for the proposed crop/cropping system?
 Do you have extension access to get the technologies?
 Are technologies economically feasible and technically viable?
 Are technologies complex or user-friendly?
10. Market demand and availability of market infrastructure
 Are the crops proposed in market demand?
 Do you have market infrastructure to sell your produce?
 Do you have organized marketing system to reduce the intermediaries?
 Do you have answers for questions such as where to sell? When to sell? Whom
to sell to? What form to sell in? What price to sell for?
 Do you get real time market information and market intelligence on proposed
crops?
11. Policies and schemes
 Do Government policies favour your crops?
 Is there any existing scheme which incentivises your crop?
 Are you eligible to avail those benefits?
12. Public and private extension influence
 Do you have access to Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA)/
Departmental extension functionaries to get advisory?
 Do you know Kissan Call Center?

39
 Do you have access to KVKs, Agricultural Universities and ICAR organizations?
 Do you subscribe agricultural magazines?
 Do you read agricultural articles in newspapers?
 Do you get any support from input dealers, Agribusiness Companies, NGOs,
Agriclinics and Agribusiness Centers?
13. Availability of required agricultural inputs including agricultural credit
 Do you get adequate agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and
implements in time?
 Do you have access to institutional credit?
14. Post harvest storage and processing technologies
 Do you have your own storage facility?
 If not, do you have access to such facility?
 Do you have access to primary processing facility?
 Do you know technologies for value addition of your crop?
 Do you have market linkage for value added products?
 Are you aware about required quality standards of value added products of
proposed crops?

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INTEGRATED DISEASE AND PEST MANAGEMENT
Introduction:-
The use of synthetic chemicals to manage pests has a number of disadvantages which
cause environmental pollution, phytotoxicity, ground water contamination and adversely affect
the soil and its biotic environment. Indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides resulted in
insecticide resistance, resurgence and accumulation of pesticide residues in food, fruits and
vegetables.
Integrated pest management (IPM) means the suitable combination of all
preventive, cultural, mechanical and biological methods for minimizing infestation of pest below
the economic injury level. It favours greater use of all ecofriendly practices like natural
pesticides, beneficial insects, birds and special cultivation practices.
Integrated pest management measures are either preventive or curative. Control of insect
pest relies on understanding of the pest life cycle, behavior and ecology. It involves natural
enemies, host resistance and cultural practices.
A. CULTURAL METHODS
Cultural control is just a modification or manipulation of the environment to the disfavour
of pests by disrupting their reproductive cycles, eliminating their foods, destroying their weed
hosts or making the environment more favourable for predators, parasitoids and antagonists. The
important cultural practices suitable for organic production to reduce the severity of insects, pests
and diseases are as follows.
1. Tillage operation :-
Plowing or hoeing helps to expose stages of soil inhabiting insects to sun or
predatory birds. Earthing up of soil in sugarcane reduces seedling borer infestation.
2. Field and plant sanitation: -
Regular removal of weeds, pest-affected plant parts, crop stubbles and their
destruction will eliminate the sources of infestation of the diseases and pests. Distraction
of bored shoots and fruits of brinjal, okra prevents further build up of the pest population.
Many virus diseases like leaf curl, bud and stem rot of tomato, groundnut and sun flower
can be minimized by uprooting the infected plants.
3. Crop rotation :
Growing of a non host crop after a host crop of the pest will break the breeding cycle of
pest species and reduce their population. Like wise, crop rotation prevents the build up
of plant pathogen in soil. Rotation of rice with corn or peanut reduce the incidence of rice
diseases like leaf blast, bacterial leaf blight and insect pests like rice stem borer, brown
plant hopper.
4. Growing of pest resistant varieties :
Certain varieties of crops are less damage or less infested than other by insects.
The resistant varieties have physical and physiological features, which enable to avoid
pest attacks. i.e.
Crop Tolerant / Resistant variety Pest/Disease
Cotton L.K.861, Kanchana White fly
L-603, L-604, Jassids
Narsimha Helicoverpa
Groundnut Vemana, Tirupathi, ICGS-11 Bud rot
Kadiri, ICGS-10 Leaf spot

Principles of Organic Farming theory notes (AGRO-248)

Principles of Organic Farming theory notes (AGRO-248)

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Principles of Organic Farming theory notes (AGRO-248)