basic concepts of organic farming

1. ORGANIC FARMING : BASIC
CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS
PRESENTED BY :
PARANIVALAVANRAJ P
PRK23AC2005
COURSE TEACHER :
Dr.Bala Ganesh B

2. OBJECTIVES
1. Sustainable agriculture
2. Increasing agricultural production
3. Healthy foods
4. Environmental protection
5. Conservation of natural resources
6. Rural development

3. ORGANIC FARMING
It is a production system which avoids or largely excludes the use of
synthetically compounded fertilizer, pesticides, growth regulators and
livestock’s feed additive is called as organic farming.

4. Definition by USDA(United States department of agriculture)
Organic production as one which will respond site specific condition by
integrating cultural, biological, mechanical practices that foster cycling
of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve bio diversity.
Definition by FAO
Organic agriculture is a unique production management system which
promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including bio diversity,
biological cycles and soil biological activity and this is accomplished by
using on farm agronomic, biological and mechanical methods in
exclusion of all synthetic off farm inputs.

5. Concept of Organic farming
 Soil in the system is a living entity.
 Soil’s living population of microbes and other organisms are
significant contributors to its fertility on a sustained basis and must
be protected and nurtured at all cost.
 This system does not believe in mining of the soil of its nutrients and
do it degrade it any way for today’s needs.
 It describes two major aspects of alternative agriculture
•Substitution of inorganic with manures, farm organic resources,
and bio fertilizer (INM)
•Biological, cultural pest, disease and weed management instead
of chemical control.

6. Components of organic farming
• Conversion of land from conventional management to organic
management
• Management of the entire surrounding system to ensure biodiversity
• Crop production with the use of alternative source of nutrient such as
crop rotation, residue management, organic manures and biological
inputs.
• Management of weeds and pests by better management practices.

7. Characteristics of Organic farming
 Sustainable use of local resources
 Minimum use of purchased inputs
 Ensuring the basic biological function of soil, water, nutrient and
humus
 Increasing crop and animal diversity
 Bio diversity management, soil and environment health
 Protection of long term fertility of soil by maintaining soil organic
matter levels
 Active promotion of the soil organism
 Promotion of soil fertility
 Dissolving nutrient in the soil

8. Principles of Organic farming
 Principle of health :
 Organic farming sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal,
human one and individual
 This principle points out that the health of individual and
communities cannot be separated from the health of ecosystem –
healthy soil produce healthy crops that foster the health of animals
and people

9.  Principle of ecology :
 Organic farming should be based on living ecological system and
cycles, work with them, emulate them, help sustain them.
 The production is to be based on ecological process and recycling.
 Inputs should be reduced by reuse, recycling and efficient
management of materials

10.  Principle of fairness:
 This principle emphasis that organic agriculture should conduct
human relationships in a manner that ensures fairness at all levels
and to all parties – farmers , workers, processors, distributors,
traders, and consumers.

11.  Principle of care :
 This principle states that precaution and responsibility are the key
concerns in management, development, and technology choices in
organic agriculture.
 Organic farming should prevent significant risks by adopting
appropriate technologies and rejecting unpredictable ones.
 Decision should reflect the values and needs of all who might be
affected, through transparent, and participatory process.

12. Principles of Soil Fertility Management in
Organic Farming :
 Minimize soil disturbance :
Reducing tillage and keeping the soil covered with crops,
residues, or cover crops can help retain nutrients and support beneficial
microbes.
 Manage organic matter :
Using organic amendments, like manure and compost, can
improve soil structure, nutrient retention, and water-holding capacity,
while promoting beneficial microbial activity.
 Biodiversity and crop rotation :
Diversifying crop rotations and planting cover crops can help
maintain soil fertility, reduce pests and diseases, and prevent erosion.

13.  Biodiversity
• Encourage diversity of soils
• Utilize different organic matter sources
• Emphasize soil biological activity
 Conservation
• Cover soils with vegetation or mulch
• Utilize permanent organic soil amendments
• Minimize soil disturbance
 Recycling
• Minimize nutrient losses to the environment
• Utilization of natural nutrient cycling
• Organic material recycling

14. Importance of Nutrient Management
in Organic Farming :
 Sustainability
Proper nutrient management can ensure that organic farming remains
sustainable by preventing soil depletion and degradation.
 Increased yield
Nutrient management can help increase the yield of crops by providing
plants with the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.
 Cost effective
Effective nutrient management can lead to cost savings as it can reduce
the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

15. The Benefits of Organic Farming for
Soil Health :
 Improves Soil Fertility :
Organic farming focuses on soil health by using natural sources of nutrients
like compost and manure, which helps to increase soil fertility and the capacity to
retain water. In turn, this promotes the growth of healthy and nutritious crops.
 Reduces soil erosion :
Organic farming aims to protect the soil from degradation and erosion by
avoiding the use of harmful chemicals and tilling practices. This allows the soil to
retain its structure and reduces the risk of soil erosion from wind and water.

16. The Importance of Soil Biology in
Organic Farming :
 Symbiotic relationships :
Organic farming methods also encourage beneficial relationships
between different organisms in the soil. For example, leguminous plants
help to fix nitrogen, which can benefit other plants in the area
 Microbial diversity :
The soil is home to trillions of microorganisms, like bacteria,
fungi, and protozoa. Organic farming prioritizes maintaining healthy soil
microbial communities, which are crucial for cycling nutrients and
breaking down organic matter.

17. Practices for Nutrient Management in
Organic Farming :
Soil Testing and
Analysis :
Determine nutrient
imbalances and deficiencies
before deciding on fertilizer
application rates
Proper nutrient application
timing :
Provide organic fertilizers
timed to coincide with the
needs of specific crops
Utilizing crop residues and
organic amendments :
Recycling of residues and
composting of manure
provides a valuable source of
nutrients and organic matter
for the soil

18. Role of Organic Matter in Soil Health :
Carbon Sequestration
By returning plant matter
to the soil via composting,
tillage, and cover cropping,
the organic matter is broken
down and stored in the soil
as stable forms of carbon.
Soil structure
Organic matter is a critical
component of soil structure,
helping to create and
maintain pore space and
properly aerated soil.
Nutrient cycling
Organic matter in the soil
provides the necessary
nutrients for plants to grow
and thrive, creating a cycle
of growth and regeneration.

19. Practices in Organic Soil Management :
Permaculture
A system of integrated land management that mirrors
the natural ecosystem, using techniques like companion
planting, composting, and low tillage.
No till farming
A method of planting crops without disturbing the soil,
helping to maintain soil health and reduce erosion.
Agroforestry
A holistic approach to farming that combines trees with
crop production, offering numerous benefits such as
carbon sequestration and habitat creation.
Vermicomposting
Using worms to compost kitchen scraps and other organic
material, providing a rich source of nutrients for plants and
improving soil structure.

20. Soil Management Techniques Used in
Organic Farming
Crop rotation :
This technique involves growing
different types of crops in a field in a
specific sequence to discourage the
proliferation of pests and encourage
soil health.
Cover crops :
This technique involves planting
crops like clover, rye, or vetch in
between cash crops to protect the
soil from erosion and to improve soil
fertility by fixing nitrogen and
increasing organic matter content.

21. Challenges in Nutrient Management in
Organic Farming :
 Nutrient imbalances :
Excessive use of organic fertilizer may result in too much nitrogen and
phosphorus and alkalinization of soil
 Slow release of nutrients :
Nutrients in organic fertilizers take time to break down and become available
to the plant, making it difficult to meet crop nutrient demands
 Organic fertilizer availability :
Quantity and quality of organic fertilizers are subject to variations depending
on climate and geographical location

22. Challenges and Drawbacks of Organic
Soil Management :
Weed control
Managing weeds in organic farming can
be time-consuming and labor-intensive
without the aid of synthetic herbicides.
Pest and disease control
Controlling pests and diseases organically
can be more challenging than using
synthetic pesticides, requiring integrated
pest management strategies.
Transition period
Transitioning from conventional to organic
farming requires adjusting practices and
may result in temporary declines in soil
fertility.
Nutrient availability
Organic fertilizers require time to break
down and release nutrients, which may
lead to slower growth and yield for some
crops.

23. Advantages of organic farming :
 Nutritional, poison free and tasty food
 Lower growing cost
 Enhance soil nourishment
 Increase in long term fertility of soil
 Supply primary, secondary and micro nutrient to plants.
 Improve physical and chemical properties of soil
 Organic matters restores soil Ph
Disadvantage of organic farming
 In changing over to organic farming initial crop loss generally occurs
 No fully developed markets for organic products.

24. Future of Organic Farming in Soil
Management :
 A positive future :
Organic farming represents a promising future for soil management,
promoting healthy ecosystems, sustainable practices, and increased
crop yield.
 Consumer and Industry Shifts :
Increased consumer awareness and concern for sustainable agriculture
practices have led to a demand for more organic foods. As a result, the
organic agriculture industry has seen steady growth in recent years.