The Importance Of Organic Farming
A new dawn for Agriculture
Once upon a time, the Introduction of chemicals in the farming process was considered a revolution across the world, as it made yields explode and process faster. The damage was not significant initially, but with time, people began to learn that conventional farming methods come with loads of disadvantages which include health-related diseases like cancer, pollution, soil and water degradation, and impact on domestic animals.
These realizations have influenced the rejuvenation of Organic Farming, which is considered the healthiest and safest method of farming. There is also an issue with the amount of energy used in agriculture, since many farm chemicals require energy intensive manufacturing processes that rely heavily on fossil fuels. Organic farmers find their method of farming to be profitable and personally rewarding.
What is Organic Farming?
According to Wikipedia, Organic farming is an agricultural system that uses fertilizers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure, and bone meal and places emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting.
The general principles of organic production, from the Canadian Organic Standards (2006), include the following:
- protect the environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, optimize biological productivity and promote a sound state of health.
- maintain long-term soil fertility by optimizing conditions for biological activity within the soil.
- maintain biological diversity within the system.
- recycle materials and resources to the greatest extent possible within the enterprise.
- provide attentive care that promotes health and meets the behavioral needs of livestock.
- prepare organic products, emphasizing careful processing, and handling methods in order to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the products at all stages of production.
- rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems.
SOME BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FARMING
- Eco-friendly method: Organic farming does not infiltrate harsh chemicals into the soil so; the environment remains protected.
- Better nutrition to help us stay healthy: Organic farmers use natural farming techniques that are not harmful to human consumption and the environment. So consumption of these foods do not affect our health or give room to deadly diseases.
- Lower Prices:Organic products are cheaper contrary to popular belief, because they don’t require the application of expensive chemicals.
