Organic farming works in harmony with nature rather than against it. This involves using techniques to achieve good crop yields without harming the natural environment or the people who live and work in it. The methods and materials that organic farmers use are summarised as follows:
To keep and build good soil structure and fertility:
• recycled and composted crop wastes and animal manures
• the
right soil cultivation at the right time
• crop rotation
• green manures and legumes
• mulching on the soil surface
To control pests, diseases and weeds:
• careful planning and crop choice
• the use of resistant crops
• good cultivation practice
• crop rotation
• encouraging useful predators that eat pests
• increasing genetic diversity
• using natural pesticides
Organic farming also involves:
• careful use of water resources
• good animal husbandry page
Why farm organically? Organic farming provides long-term benefits to people and the environment. Organic farming aims to:
• increase long-term soil fertility.
• control pests and diseases without harming the environment.
• ensure that water stays clean and safe.
• use resources which the farmer already has, so the farmer needs less
money to buy farm inputs.
• produce nutritious food, feed for animals and high quality crops to sell at a
good price. Modern, intensive agriculture causes many problems, including the following:
• Artificial fertilisers and herbicides are easily washed from the soil and
pollute rivers, lakes and water courses.
• The prolonged use of artificial fertilisers results in soils with a low organic
matter content which is easily eroded by wind and rain.
• Dependency on fertilisers. Greater amounts are needed every year to
produce the same yields of crops.
• Artificial pesticides can stay in the soil for a long time and enter the food
chain where they build up in the bodies of animals and humans, causing
health problems.
• Artificial chemicals destroy soil micro-organisms resulting in poor soil
structure and aeration and decreasing nutrient availability.
• Pests and diseases become more difficult to control as they become
resistant to artificial pesticides. The numbers of natural enemies decrease
because of pesticide use and habitat loss.
