GUIDE TO CONSCIENTIOUS FARMING

What happens to the land?

What happens to the food it produces?
What happens to the people who eat it?
What will eventually happen to the communities?

Difference Between Chemical and Organic Farming

Chemical farming is the Organic farming is the cultivation

cultivation and production of and production of crops using
crops using inorganic inputs. biodegradable organic inputs.

Continuous use of chemical Abundant organic matter in the soil

fertilizers leads to changes in the maintains a near neutral pH where
pH of the soil. The soil becomes nutrient availability is optimum.
either acidic, too salty or toxic This also promotes the natural
often kills plants. ecosystem of the soil to grow.

Soil particles in the absence of Organically managed soils have

binding agents of chemically
managed farms lead to erosion.
The steady loss of fertile topsoil
ultimately leads to barren land
unfit for farming.
improved soil structure increasing
its water retention capacity,
reducing the risk of soil erosion.

Crop Differences Between Chemical Farming and Organic Farming.

Chemical grown crops doesn’t Availability of a full range of

have much resistance or power
against pest and disease because
of a weak cell wall.
The non-availability of nutrients
and a low supply of potassium
reduce the quality and shelf
life of the product.
nutrients in an organically
managed soil provides the natural
resistance to crops against pest
disease.
Nutrient availability in the entire
crop growth and increased
absorption capacity of the crop
improves the keeping quality of
fruits and vegetables.

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 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHEMICAL FARMING AND
ORGANIC FARMING
Health and Social Differences
CHEMICAL FARMING
An unutilized chemical
fertilizer and pesticide residue
in the soil and water leads to
environmental pollution which
sometimes cause toxic effects
to other forms of life
including man.
Inorganic fertilizers do not
decompose properly and leave
residues in the plant parts,
When used as feed material
for animals and food for man
it may create a disease and
possible malformation
in newborn babies.
Economic Differences
CHEMICAL FARMING
Inorganic input materials
are very expensive.
Fertilizer managed soil has
fluctuating yields due to varying
nutrient availability during the
whole crop cycle. A deficiency
in one element directly affects
the growth and metabolism of a
crop resulting to an erratic yield.
Chemical farm products have
a shorter shelf life and lower
nutrient content therefore offer
low prices in the market.
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ORGANIC FARMING
Organic practice is a pollution free
approach because the end
products are all decomposable.
The plant parts from
organically managed soils are not
only rich but more importantly
safe. Organic measures and
remedies do not release harmful
residues in the soil and crop.
ORGANIC FARMING
Organic input materials are
less costly because it is readily
available and very easy to apply.
When nutrients are available in
a balanced way during the entire
crop cycle, the plant will produce
satisfactory yields and
quality according to its
genetic potential.
An organic product is superior
in nutritive quality and
shelf life so commands better
prices in the market.