organic farming

organic farming

 organic farming, agricultural system that

uses ecologically based pest controls and

biological fertilizers derived largely from

animal and plant wastes and nitrogen-

fixing cover crops. Modern organic

farming was developed as a response to

the environmental harm caused by the use

of chemical pesticides and synthetic

fertilizers in conventional agriculture, and

it has numerous ecological benefits.

Organic agriculture shares many techniques used by other sustainable agricultural approaches (eg8 intercropping, crop rotation, mulching, integration of crops and livestock). However, the use of natural

inputs (non synthetic), the improvement of soil structure and fertility and the use of a crop rotation

plan represent the basic rules that make organic agriculture a unique agricultural management system.

According with the Guidelines of Organically Food Produce of the Codex Alimentarius (2007), an

organic production system is designed to:

Enhance biological diversity within the whole system;

Increase soil biological activity;

Maintain long-term soil fertility;

Recycle wastes of plant and animal origin in order to return nutrients to the soil, thus minimizing

the use of non-renewable resources;

Rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems;

Promote the healthy use of soil, water and air as well as minimize all forms of pollution that may

result from agricultural practices;

Promote the careful processing methods agricultural products in order to maintain the organic

integrity and vital qualities of the product at all stages;

Become established on any existing farm through a period of conversion, the appropriate length

of which is determined by site-specific factors such as the history of the land, and type of crops

and livestock to be produced.