Indian Journal of Organic Farming

Volume 1 Issue 1

A Mini Review on Organic Farming

Lokendra Kumar Berwal*
Department of Agronomy, Kisan Post Graduate College, Simbhaoli, Uttar Pradesh, India

Author for Correspondence: Email Id: lokendra1498@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Organic farming make use of a lesser amount of pesticide, diminishes soil disintegration,
diminishes nitrate draining into groundwater and surface water, and reuses animal wasted
back to the agricultural land as compared to conventional agriculture. These advantages are
counter balanced by higher food expenses for consumers and normally lower yields. Organic
farming which is an integrated production management system that encourages and boosts
health of agro-ecosystem, as well as biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological
activity is therefore very essential. Several studies have revealed that organic farming
techniques can generate higher yields as compared to conventional techniques.

Keywords: Organic Farming, Organic Agriculture, Biofertilizers.

INTRODUCTION
Organic farming in our country is not most recent and is being practicing from earlier days. It
is a technique of agriculture which predominantly considered at cultivating the ground and
raising crops in a way, that keep the soil active and in well health by means of organic wastes
materials of crop, animal and farm wastes, aquatic wastes, etc. and other biological materials
along with biofertilizers with useful microbes to discharge nutrients to crops for better
sustainable production to make the environment eco-friendly and pollution free [1]. Organic
farming is a method that keep away from the use of synthetic inputs (like fertilizers,
hormones, pesticides, feed additives etc) and to the maximum extent reasonable rely upon
crop residues, crop rotations, off-farm organic waste, animal manures, mineral grade rock
additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and protection of plant (Figure 1) [1].

Fig. 1. Basic Steps of Organic Farming [1]

Choudhary Publishing Media (Page 1-6) 2021. All right Reserved Page 1
 Indian Journal of Organic Farming
Volume 1 Issue 1

Demand for Organic Agriculture

As the population grows, our responsibility is not only to stabilize agricultural production, but also to
grow steadily. Scientists have concluded that the "green revolution" that consumes resources has
stalled, so it is necessary to maintain the natural balance of life and property at all costs. Of course,
this will be more relevant in the current environment. An era when non-renewable agrochemicals
made from fossil fuels are becoming fewer and fewer. In the future, this will also become very
expensive in our currency [2].

Objectives
1. Augment genetic diversity.
2. Encourage extra utilization of herbal pesticides.
3. Make sure the proper soil cultivation on the proper time.
4. It is helpful in maintaining the soil health.
5. Manage Weed, Pests and diseases of crop plants.

Key Features [3]

1. By using legumes, nitrogen fixation in soils is carried out.
2. Weed and pest control based on techniques such as biological diversity, crop rotation,
organic manures, natural predators, and suitable thermal, biological, and chemical
intervention
3. Not directly, crop nutrients can be used by means of soil microorganisms
4. Defending quality of soil by means of organic material and hopeful biological activity
5. Concern for the better environment and conservation of natural surroundings and flora
and fauna.
6. Nurturing the farm animals and taking care of nutrition, health, housing, rearing and
breeding.

Types of Organic Farming [4]

1. Pure Organic Farming
• It occupies the use of organic manures and bio-pesticides with total evasion of inorganic
chemicals and pesticides.

2. Integrated Organic Farming

• It occupies integrated pest management and integrated nutrient management.
• It is the kind of agriculture in which development of crops from natural resources having
the whole nutritive value and deals with to avoid the crops from the pests.

3. Integration of Diverse Agriculture Systems

• Integration of diverse agriculture systems occupies numerous other components of
agriculture like mushroom production, goat rearing, poultry, and fishpond all together
with usual crop components.

Techniques [5]
1. Crop Rotation: It is the method to grow a variety of crops in the same region, according
to the diverse seasons, in a sequential method.
2. Green Manure: It refers to the dying plants that are uprooted and turned into the soil to
make them act as a nutrient for the soil to increase its quality.

Choudhary Publishing Media (Page 1-6) 2021. All right Reserved Page 2
 Indian Journal of Organic Farming
Volume 1 Issue 1

3. Biological Pest Control: With this method, we use living organisms to control pests with
or without the use of chemicals.
4. Compost:-Highly rich in nutrients, it is a recycled organic matter used as a fertilizer in
the agricultural farms.
5. Management of Soil
• Soil management is the soul of organic farming. It’s a well-known fact that after
taking one crop, the soil of the farm loses most of its nutrients and its fertility goes
down.
• To process of recharging the soil with all the necessary nutrients is called soil
management. In organic farming the nutrients are recharged in the soil through natural
ways to increase the soil fertility.
• For this purpose, animal waste is increasingly used to recharge the soil with the
necessary nutrients. The bacteria present in animal waste make soil fertile once again.
6. Management of Weeds
• Organic farming focuses on removing the weeds from the soil during the crop
production. Weeds are unwanted plants that grow in the agriculture fields
simultaneously with the crops and they suck most of the nutrients present in the soil.
As a result the production of the crops gets affected. To get rid of weeds the farmers
follow the below mentioned techniques
• Mulching and Cutting or Mowing: Mulching is a process in which the farmers use
plant residue or plastic films on the surface of the soil which blocks the growth of the
weed while cutting or mowing helps in removal of the growth of the weeds in the
farms.
Principles of Organic Farming [6]
1. Principle of ecology in farming based on cycles for sustainability and living ecological
systems.
2. Principle of fairness in relation to general environment and life opportunities.
3. Principle of care that emphasizes preventive and answerable approach of working organic
agriculture to defend the environment for present and upcoming generations.
4. Principle of health for soil, plants, human, animals, and planet as one and inseparable.

Organic Agriculture in Conserving the Environment [7]

1. It uses inputs that don't leave toxic residues in the soil and general environment.
2. It promotes biodiversity of crops and animals to ensure complete and sustainable
ecological systems with each species accompaniment the other for the general good of
nature and man.
3. It has a well-built support that fights for a sustainable agriculture which tries to reproduce
nature as closely as possible. It promotes reusing of biodegradable materials.

Choudhary Publishing Media (Page 1-6) 2021. All right Reserved Page 3
 Indian Journal of Organic Farming
Volume 1 Issue 1

Constraints in Organic Farming [8]

1. Lack of knowledge and understanding
2. Lack of good marketing policies
3. Scarcity of biomass
4. Insufficient agricultural infrastructure
5. High input expenditure of agriculture
6. Improper marketing of organic contribution
7. Disorganized farming policies
8. Lack of monetary support
9. Incapability to meet the export requirement
10. Lack of good quality of manure
11. Very little yield
12. Lack in legislative policies to encourage organic farming.

Merits and Demerits of Organic Farming [9]

Merits
1. Farmers are in good health.
2. Farmers can decrease their production costs since they do not require purchasing costly
chemicals and fertilizers.
3. Smaller quantity of residues in food.
4. It can decelerate global warming.
5. Long lasting, organic lands save energy and guard the environment.

Demerits
1. Organic food is more costly as farmers do not get as much out of their land as compared
to conventional farmers.
2. Marketing and distribution is not well-organized as organic food is produced in lesser
amounts.
3. Production expenditures are high as farmers require more workforces.

Limitations of Organic Farming [10]

1. Organic manure is not richly available and on plant nutrient basis it may be more costly
than chemical fertilizers if organic inputs are purchased.
2. Production in organic farming turns down specially at some point of first few years, so
the farmer have to take delivery of first-class charges for organic produce.

Choudhary Publishing Media (Page 1-6) 2021. All right Reserved Page 4
 Indian Journal of Organic Farming
Volume 1 Issue 1

3. The guidelines for organic production, processing, transportation and certification and so
forth are past the know-how of everyday Indian farmer..
4. Marketing of organic produce is likewise now no longer well rationalized.

Certified Organic [11]

1. It is a term given to products produced according to organic standards as certified by one
of the certifying bodies.
2. There are numerous certification bodies operating in our country.
3. A farmer desire to be certified organic must apply to a certification body appealing an
self-sufficient scrutiny of their arable farm to make sure that the farm meets the organic
standards.
4. Farmers, processors and dealer are each required to sustain the organic reliability of the
produce and to keep a document trail for inspection points.
5. Goods from certified organic arable farms are labelled and encouraged as “certified
organic.”

Organic Sikkim [11]

1. India’s first 100% organic state Sikkim has succeeded the ‘Oscar for best policies’,
conferred through the Food and Agriculture Organization for the world’s paramount
policies encouraging agro-ecological and sustainable food systems.
2. Sikkim strikes 51 nominations from 25 diverse nations of the world to triumph the Future
Policy Award 2018.
3. The Chief Minister of Sikkim Pawan Kumar Chamling received the award from the
Deputy Director of UN’s FAO Maria Helena Semedo in Rome on October 15th. The
Future Policy Award renowned the state’s leadership and political will to lead by
example.

Proposed Policy Framework in Organic Farming [12]

1. Inclusion of tremendous natural farming data in coaching and schooling establishments
e.g. colleges and colleges
2. Increased studies each at public, community, and personal establishments
3. Development of neighborhood natural markets and client education
4. Legislation in parliament
5. Policy recommendations from the Ministry of Agriculture favoring natural agriculture
and suitable farming systems
6. Setting up neighborhood natural certification bodies 7. Value addition that complies with
natural standards

Choudhary Publishing Media (Page 1-6) 2021. All right Reserved Page 5
 Indian Journal of Organic Farming
Volume 1 Issue 1

The Role of Government in Organic Farming [13]

1. Formulation of agricultural policies that identify and support organic farming
2. Assist capacity building to organic agricultural groups through financial support of
training workshops on organic farming.

CONCLUSION
Organic agriculture can be a possible substitute production method for farmers, but there are
numerous challenges. Organic farming yields additional healthy and safe food. The status of
organic food is increasing considerably as customer seeks the organic foods that are thought
to be better and safer. Accordingly, organic food possibly guarantees food protection from
farm to serving dish.
REFERENCES
1) https://agritech.tnau.ac.in/org_farm/orgfarm_introduction.html
2) Weidmann, Gilles (2010). "The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics & Emerging
Trends 2010" (PDF). FiBL and IFOAM.
3) AmadouBinta BA and Barbier B. Economic and Environmental Performances of Organic
Farming System Compared to Conventional Farming System: A Case Farm Model to
Simulate the Horticultural Sector of the Niayes Region in Senegal. J Horticulture.
2015;2:152.
4) Bagchi A, et al. Organic Farming Practice for Quality Improvement of Tea and Its Anti
Parkinsonism Effect on Health Defense. J PhysChemBiophys. 2015;5:178.
5) Willer, Helga (February 10, 2016). "Organic Agriculture Worldwide 2016: Current
Statistics" (PDF). FiBL and IFOAM Organics International.
6) Willer, Helga (February 10, 2016). "Organic Agriculture Worldwide 2016: Current
Statistics" (PDF). FiBL and IFOAM Organics International.
7) Paull, John & Hennig, Benjamin (2016) Atlas of Organics: Four Maps of the World of
Organic Agriculture, Journal of Organics. 3(1): 25-32.
8) S. Chandra and S. K. Chauhan, “Prospects of organic farming in India,” Indian Farming,
vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 11–14, 2004.
9) H. L. S. Tandon, “Fertilizers and their integration and organics and bio-fertilizers,” in
Fertilizers, Organic Manures, Recyclable Wastes and Bio-Fertilizers, H. L. S. Tandon,
Ed., pp. 32–36, FDCO, New Delhi, India, 1992.
10) P. K. Chhonkar, “Organic farming myth and reality,” in Proceedings of the FAI Seminar
on Fertilizer and Agriculture meeting the Challenges, New Delhi, India, December 2002.
11) https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/sikkims-state-policy-organic-farming-and-sikkim-
organic-mission-india
12) P. K. Sofia, R. Prasad, and V. K. Vijay, “Organic farming tradition reinvented,” Indian
Journal of Traditional Knowledge, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 139–142, 2006.
13) Stanhill, G., The comparative productivity of organic agriculture. Agriculture.
Ecosystems & Environment, 30(1–2), pp. 1–26, 1990.

Choudhary Publishing Media (Page 1-6) 2021. All right Reserved Page 6