How Organic Farming Practices Help Environment?
Many organic farmers view their production methods as a means to work with nature and help maintain an ecosystem that is healthy and sustainable. Synthetic pesticides used on conventional farms are harmful to native species and may cause health problems. Organic farmers use natural methods for pest management, like pheromones that interfere with insect mating cycles. Biological fertilizers are also used on organic farms, which helps to prevent the leaching of nitrates into the groundwater. Some organic farmers use pheromones to disrupt pest mating cycles, mechanical controls such as trapping, and the application of organic pesticides when other methods fail.
The principles of organic agriculture (IFOAM) are the basis for certifying an organic farm. There are a number of requirements for a farm to be certified. These include maintaining natural resources, supporting animal welfare, and using approved materials. Certification agencies verify that farms adhere to the principles of organic farming. Organic farms must pass regular onsite inspections and meet other requirements for certification. A farmer must also adhere to the principles of regenerative farming and be able to document their progress.
Organic farmers enrich the soil with natural components, such as manure and compost. They do not use synthetic additives and test the materials they use before applying them to a field. They must allow the material to build up organic soil matter more than conventional no-till farming. According to Dr. Elaine Ingham, a teaspoon of organically-grown compost can contain 600 million to one billion helpful bacteria. Furthermore, composted manure has fewer potential pathogens or contaminants than other forms of manure.
The success of an organic farm depends on the system design and management. Organic farmers use complementary enterprises such as crop rotation and tillage practices. Although yields of organic crops tend to be lower than those of conventional crops, the transition period between conventional and organic is generally shorter than that of the conventional version. It takes about three to five years for organic yields to reach their conventional counterparts. There are also some benefits to switching over to organic practices if the farmer is successful.
Organic farming practices encourage the biodiversity of the land. They help maintain good air and soil quality. They also avoid the use of harmful chemicals. In addition to using natural pest-control measures, organic farmers use crop rotation and biodiversity. They do not use synthetic fungicides and pesticides. Moreover, they avoid using antibiotics and genetic modification to boost yields. If you are interested in learning more about organic farming, start by reading the NOP Handbook.
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