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MASTER’S SEMINAR
Introduction
Organic vegetable production is a farming method that involves raising
vegetable crops by using organic waste such as animal wastes, plant wastes,
crop wastes, farm wastes, and biological materials to keep the soil alive. The
primary goal of organic vegetable production is to optimize health and
productivity of the interdependent communities of plant, soil, people and
animals. Organic farming is an age old practice in Indian agriculture which is
based on the minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that
restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. However in the process of
modernization, particularly after green revolution the consumption of chemicals
namely fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators etc., has increased substantially
in the production system. Excessive application of fertilizers, pesticides and
synthetic hormone causing severe damage to the soil and environment as well as
harvested produce. The residues of pesticides and fertilizers that persisted in the
soil destroy the beneficial microorganisms, earthworms and other soil habitat.
There are ample evidences to show that agrochemical based high input
agriculture is not sustainable for long period due to gradual decline in factor
productivity with adverse impact on soil health and quality. These are some
definition given by different scientists.
Lampkin (1990): Organic Farming is a production system which avoids or
largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, growth
regulators and live stock feed additives.
US Department of Agriculture: A system that is designed and mailed to
produce agricultural products by the use of methods, and substances that
maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products until they reach the
consumer.
According to Codex Alimentarius (Food code) Commission (CAC): Organic
agriculture is a holistic food production management system, which promotes
and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles
and soil biological activity.
Funtilana (1990): Organic Farming is giving back to the nature what is taken
from it.
According to the National Organic Standards Board of the US Department
of Agriculture (USDA) organic farming is a system which avoids or largely
excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones,
feed additives etc) and to the maximum extent feasible relies upon biological
system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection.Organic agriculture is
therefore often termed as knowledge based rather than input based agriculture.
2. Principle of ecology
Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles,
work with them, emulate them and help sustain them. This principle roots
organic agriculture within living ecological systems. It states that production is
to be based on ecological processes, and recycling. Nourishment and well-being
are achieved through the ecology of the specific production environment. For
example, in the case of crops this is the living soil; for animals it is the farm
ecosystem; for fish and marine organisms, the aquatic environment. Organic
farming, pastoral and wild harvest systems should fit the cycles and ecological
balances in nature. These cycles are universal but their operation is site-specific.
Organic management must be adapted to local conditions, ecology, culture and
scale. Inputs should be reduced by reuse, recycling and efficient management of
materials and energy in order to maintain and improve environmental quality
and conserve resources. Organic agriculture should attain ecological balance
through the design of farming systems, establishment of habitats and
maintenance of genetic and agricultural diversity. Those who produce, process,
trade, or consume organic products should protect and benefit the common
environment including landscapes, climate, habitats, biodiversity, air and water.
4. Principle of care
Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible
manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations
and the environment. Organic agriculture is a living and dynamic system that
responds to internal and external demands and conditions. Practitioners of
organic agriculture can enhance efficiency and increase productivity, but this
should not be at the risk of jeopardizing health and well-being.
Consequently, new technologies need to be assessed and existing methods
reviewed. Given the incomplete understanding of ecosystems and
agriculture, care must be taken. This principle states that precaution and
responsibility are the key concerns in management, development and
technology choices in organic agriculture. Science is necessary to ensure that
organic agriculture is healthy, safe and ecologically sound. However,
scientific knowledge alone is not sufficient. Practical experience,
accumulated wisdom and traditional and indigenous knowledge offer valid
solutions, tested by time. Organic agriculture should prevent significant risks
by adopting appropriate technologies and rejecting unpredictable ones, such
as genetic engineering. Decisions should reflect the values and needs of all
who might be affected, through transparent and participatory processes.
B. Conversion period
The interim period required for the establishment of organic management
system and soil fertility are termed as conversion period. For vegetable crops
the minimum conversion period of 12 months are required before to the start of
production cycle. Based upon past use of ecological and land situations, the
certification agency might reduce or extend the minimum period for conversion.
The time between the start of organic management and certification is called
conversion period.
D. Soil Preparation
The production of organic vegetables requires some long-term outlook for soil
preparation. Soil must be friable, porous and well drained with good organic
matter content as the soil organic matter releases the nutrient and have a good
water holding capacity. For weed control soil solarization is preferred.
E. Planting
Location size and the problems in size mainly determine the methods used for
planting. Raised beds are laid in smaller sites to minimize the compaction, to
hold organic matter and for ease of harvest. For larger sites tractors and other
equipment’s are used in one or other way. Vegetable production mainly relies
on the clean cultivation where old crops residues have been turned into the soil.
This is done to avoid the allelopathic effect of the previous crop residues.
F. Irrigation
The successful vegetable cultivars are determined by water application at the
correct time and at correct growth stage. Drip and sprinkler method of irrigation
are most commonly used in vegetables.
G. Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is a common practice in organic vegetable production that
involves growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same piece of
land over time. It is used to manage pests, diseases, and soil fertility, and is an
important component of organic farming systems. Here are some key aspects
and benefits of crop rotation in organic vegetable production:
Pest and disease management: Crop rotation can disrupt the life cycles of
pests and diseases, reducing their populations and preventing build-up of pest
pressure. Different crops have different vulnerabilities to pests and diseases, so
rotating crops can break the cycle of pests and diseases that are specific to
certain crops. This can help reduce the use of synthetic pesticides in organic
production and promote natural pest control methods.
Nutrient management: Crop rotation can help manage soil fertility by
optimizing nutrient cycling. Different crops have varying nutrient requirements,
and rotating crops can help balance nutrient uptake and reduce nutrient
imbalances or depletion in the soil. For example, legume crops, such as peas or
beans, can fix nitrogen from the air and improve soil fertility, while other crops
can take up nutrients left behind by previous crops, reducing the need for
external inputs.
Weed management: Crop rotation can help control weeds by interrupting their
life cycles and reducing their population density. Different crops may have
different weed suppressive abilities, and rotating crops can help reduce weed
pressure and minimize the need for herbicides or manual weeding. Additionally,
some crops, such as cover crops, can be used as a natural weed management
tool when included in a crop rotation plan.
Soil health: Crop rotation can promote soil health by improving soil structure,
increasing soil organic matter, and enhancing microbial diversity. Different
crops have varying root systems and residue characteristics, and rotating crops
can help maintain a balanced soil ecosystem, which is important for long-term
sustainability of organic vegetable production.
H. Weed Control
Effective weed management in organic vegetable production is the most
challenging aspects to incorporate locally available organic manure to maintain
fertility in the soil. The competition of weeds for high organic vegetable
production should be suppressed during the critical period of crops. Crop
rotation is an effective for suppressing weeds in vegetable production. Also, in
addition to the different mechanical methods viz., use of black plastic mulch,
deep ploughing in summer, hand weeding different cultural practices such as
composting of manures and cover cropping with other crops are the simplest
method to reduce weed pressure in organic vegetable production.
I. Nutrient Management
The nutrient management in the organic farming mainly depends upon the
nutrients that are been derived biologically as the use of the synthetic fertilizers/
chemicals are abandoned. The uses of organics have been practiced. Green
manuring is the incorporation of the living biomass into the soil to supply
nutrients. The crops used in the methods are turned as green manure crop. The
nature of green manuring crop should be non-woody, fast growing and short
duration in nature. The manure prepared using cow urine, dung and farm waste
in the backyard space is termed as farm yard manure. Soil fertility, soil organic
matter and crop yield increases with the application of crop residues. Vegetable
crop generates a huge quantity of crop residues after the harvest of their
economic part. The nutrients that are embedded in residues are a potential
source of the organic nutrition. They can also be used to produce vermi-
compost.
K. Contamination control
Contamination control is an important aspect of organic vegetable production to
ensure the integrity and quality of organic crops. Organic certification standards
prohibit the use of synthetic chemicals, genetically modified organisms
(GMOs), and irradiation in organic production, which means that organic
farmers need to use alternative strategies for managing contamination risks.
Here are some key considerations for contamination control in organic
vegetable production:
M. Market suitability
Market research is an essential part for organic vegetable production, which
selection of crop and variety is generally depending on the consumers. It is also
important to find out which vegetable is required in the market at particular time
and when it is required because sometimes vegetables may be undersupplied. It
will be possible to fill the seasonal gap in restaurants vegetables for example
cherry tomato, yellow capsicum and red capsicum. Some processing factories
are preferred cultivars for processing and for the fresh-food market.
M. Documentation
Documentation is an important component of organic certification, as it
provides evidence of compliance with organic standards and helps establish
traceability and transparency in the organic production process. The specific
documentation requirements may vary depending on the organic certification
program and the country or region in which the organic production is taking
place. However, here are some common types of documentation that may be
required for organic certification:
Conclusion
Thus in countries like India, the adoption of pure organic farming is possible
partially, especially for exporting to International market. On the other hand,
adoption of the Integrated Green Revolution Farming is one of the options for
adopting Organic Farming in a large scale. The basic of green revolution are
increased use of the external inputs, developing high yielding and hybrid
varieties, farm mechanization that limits the damage to human health and
environment. For this purpose, some of the organic techniques have been
developed and combined with some high input technology for creating
integrated systems like INM (Integrated Nutrient Management), IPM
(Integrated Pest Management) and biological control methods that reduces the
chemical needs. Further researches on some proper technology (time saving and
less cost) for organic vegetable production are needed in near future.
References:
APEDA, National Programmee for Organic Production(NPOP). Present
status in India. www.apeda.com/organic html