When you enter any farmers' market, you'll see signs stating "Certified Organic" in large characters. Organic agriculture has become the most popular style of alternative farming worldwide, despite being significantly more expensive than its non-organic counterparts.
Organic agriculture is a type of farming that restores soil, ecosystem, and human health. Rather than using synthetic inputs like chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides, organic farmers rely on natural processes, biodiversity, and cycles that are tailored to local conditions. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are not permitted in organic farming, but used in inorganic farming to increase crop yield.
Organic and conventional farming is fundamentally different in that conventional farming relies on chemical intervention to combat pests and weeds and supply plant nutrition. Synthetic insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers are included. Organic farming, on the other hand, produces healthy, abundant food by relying on natural principles such as biodiversity and composting.
Organic farmers use natural fertilizers, where crop rotation improves soil fertilization and the soil remains fertile. Inorganic farming land and soil degrade over time because of the use of artificial pesticides and the soil becomes infertile due to exploitation.
When it comes to animal cruelty, there is no animal cruelty in organic farming practices. Often injects antibiotics in livestock in inorganic farming.
Organic farmers use strategies that have been practiced for thousands of years, such as crop rotations and the utilization of composted animal manures and green manure crops, in ways that are economically viable in today's society. The interaction of management methods is the primary issue in organic production, which emphasizes overall system health. To generate and maintain biological diversity and replenish soil fertility, organic producers use a variety of techniques.
The environment and people are affected differently by inorganic and organic farming systems. Increased greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, water pollution, and human health are all consequences of inorganic agriculture. Organic farming reduces carbon emissions, improves soil health, and replenishes natural ecosystems for cleaner water and air, all while avoiding hazardous pesticide residues.
Land preparation, water management and harvesting are the same for both organic and inorganic farming. Organic farmers use paddy, husk, charcoal, gliricidia leaves, rice straw etc as fertilizers. Inorganic farmers use Urea, MOP and TSP as fertilizers. Modern or organic farming aims to improve soil fertility, health, and safety, preserve the environment, and provide humans with high-nutrition, chemical-free crops.
You might wonder how you might make a difference in this situation. The demand-supply equation governs the farming business, as it does all others. Farmers will have little choice but to switch to contemporary farming methods if you assist in raising demand for organically cultivated foods. When deciding between foods grown by organic farming and those grown by conventional farming, go with the former. It all begins with you.
Written by Sinthuja Thavayogarajah
