Organic Farming

Definition
Organic Farming is an agricultural method which excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers & pesticides, genetically modified organism & livestock food additives. It relies upon crop rotation, use of crop reduce, manure, biofertilizers and biological control methods to maintain soil fertility and to control insect weeds & other pests.

Benefits of Organic Farming

Some of the major benefits from this holistic production system can be listed as follows: 1) It helps in maintaining environmental health by checking the pollution level. Also minimises human and animal health hazard. 2) It improves the fertility and several chemical properties of the soil nutrients, reduces nutrient loss into water bodies and promoting favorable chemical reactions. 3) It also improves the physical properties of the soil for example easy root penetration, water holding capacity & reduces soil erosion. 4) It reduces the cost of agricultural production and ensures optimum utilization of natural recourses. 5) It not only saves energy for both machine and animal but also reduces risk of crop failure.

Limitation of Organic Farming

a) In the initial years, the production is very less, therefore it becomes very difficult for the farmer economically to bear the initial also involved. b) Since organic manure is not abundantly available everywhere and on plant nutrient basis sometimes it become more expensive than the chemical fertilizers. c) As of now the guidelines for organic farming, the methods of processing, transportation etc are beyond the reach of ordinary India farmer. As a reason farmers are less interested in the method of production.

Conclusion
In order to feed the world's population and to ensure the food security, we should adopt right policies, increase knowledge, capacity building and public & private partnership and management and harmony between Organic Farming and Food Security goals. Also, the Organic Farming alone cannot substitute the traditional farming system to feed the world's growing population, so we can adopt organic farming in targeted crops & specific areas along with judicious use of chemical fertilizers.

Importance from the examination point of view: i) Short Note - Organic Farming ii) What is Organic Farming? List some of its benefits as compared to the traditional farming method. iii) Discuss the various benefits & limitations of organic farming. Do you think that Organic Farming can totally replace the traditional method of agriculture? Explain?
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