Organic Agriculture

MANGALAYATN UNIVERSITY ORGANIC FARMING THE START-UP FOR HEALTHY LIFE AGRICULTURE ADMISSION 2022-23

Organic farming Organic farming can be termed as an agricultural method using a biologically tested fertilization primarily acquired from plants and animal waste. It is aptly said that “necessity is the mother of invention”. The same applies to organic farming as this has been initiated as a means to curb hazardous environmental effects arising from the incessant use of synthetic fertilizers, chemically formulated insecticides, and pesticides to protect crops. It works wonders by repairing, maintaining, and improving the cycle of ecological balance. Numerous merits are attached to organic farming. The foremost benefit is that it is quite economical as it uses natural products abundantly available such as animal and plant waste without incurring heavy costs on pesticides, insecticides, HYV seeds, and fertilizers. Secondly, it promotes high returns on investments. Since local as well as cheaper inputs are put to use, it raises the profitability ratio multiple times. As awareness about organic farming is rising at a fast pace across the globe, it is attracting demand and, thereby, generating additional incomes. The added advantage of organic products is that their nutritional value is high and they do not pose any threat to our environment. system and pest control

FOOD QUALITY As the name suggests, food quality is the total addition of attributes and properties of a product that have been established as acceptable to consumers. variety of attributes includes nutritional content, appearance (shape, size, color, consistency, and gloss), flavor, texture, and ethical production to name a few. Generally, the

HUMAN HEALTH Human importance measuring the economic development of an economy. Organic foods can be counted as better products to measure the human health index. The latest study has shown organic products to be having a better amount of nutritional content in contrast to conventional products being inorganically. health is it of helps utmost as in food produced

FOOD QUALITY AND ORGANIC Studies have highlighted the fact that food products produced organically tend to have a higher amount of nutritional content making them a super choice not to miss out. Data shows dairy products being produced organically tend to have a higher amount of omega-3 fatty acids as compared to products. Another study highlights the fact that children consuming organic products have development. conventional dairy better cognitive

CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF THE TERM ‘ORGANIC FOOD’ With trailblazing technology available, information passes around in a fraction of seconds. Consumers are becoming well aware of health issues and want to combat problems in an organic way. Organic word is connoted with chemical-free production of food products so that we can ensure safety, as well as the impact on human health, can be well taken care of.

FOOD QUALITY AND ORGANIC PRINCIPLES Food quality is of supreme importance as human health is concerned. That is why the concept of organic farming is becoming more relevant with each passing day. Four guiding principles are invariably followed in the cultivation as well as production of environment-friendly organic products. They are as follows: 1. Principle of health 2. Principle of Ecology 3. Principle of Fairness 4. Principle of Care

PRINCIPLE OF HEALTH The principle of health is about taking care of the health of nature at large. Be it humans, animals, or the environment, all should bloom in good health. Soil protection is our social responsibility as everything depends upon it. If the quality of soil is good in terms of fertility without any chemicals, this, in turn, would automatically lead to high-quality food.

PRINCIPLE OF ECOLOGY The principle of ecology elaborates on balancing the environment using eco-friendly methods of farming. Soil, water, air, land, climate, and biodiversity ought to be taken care of so as to ensure health benefits to humans to the maximum extent. Ecology includes our environment, animals, plants and trees, and humans. Their balance needs to be sustained for better living conditions.

PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS The principle of fairness is of high importance as it is based upon taking care of every human involved in the process of organic agriculture. From production consumers, all are entitled to fair treatment. This is aimed to provide conducive living conditions to all. Even animals should be given fair treatment in terms of living conditions, and in the same way, our mother earth should be given fair treatment. to distribution, traders to

PRINCIPLE OF CARE Taking care of our planet is primarily our responsibility. Not only for today, but we also need to be mindful of using all of the natural resources for future reference as well. The principle of care works on the agenda of giving due care to the environment so that it helps protect the environment for future generations as well.

PESTICIDES Pesticides are chemicals used in the agricultural process to keep away every unwanted vegetation that can harm crop production in any way. It includes a wide variety of chemicals such as pests, insects, bacteria, fungi, rats, and mice to name a few. They help control, kill, and repel this unwanted vegetation to keep our crop yield safe and sound. But the dark side of using them is its harmful effects that get through the crops and reach our table when we consume pesticides laced food. It needs to be curbed to keep our living conditions healthy and safe.

FOOD POISONING Every coin has a flip side and in the same way, organic farming has its own set of pros and cons. Studies show that organic farming is tainted with the problem of the transfer of unseen pathogens. Pathogens such as shigella or salmonella that mostly grow in the stomachs of animals get transferred into organic productslike leafy vegetables, fruits, as well as root vegetables.

GMOS GMOs refer to genetically modified organisms having traits such as herbicide tolerant (HT), genetically tolerant (GE), or BT crops. In other words, an organism that has been genetically modified by injecting cells or genetic material from another species to produce the hybrid quality of organisms. GMOs are strictly prohibited to be used in organic farming. A farmer doing organic farming is not allowed to sow GMO seeds. The same goes for organic animals. They can’t be given genetically modified food to consume.

ANTIBIOTICS Antibiotics are life-saving medicinesthat play a pivotal role in the treatment of diseases for humans as well as animals. They help cure diseases and illnesses primarily caused by unseen microorganisms. They help treat, control and prevent diseases inconventional areas of farming. Their use is restricted only when animals have severe diseases and can’t be cured organically.

FOOD ADDITIVES Food additives arethose substances primarily serving the purposeof adding appearance, enhancing taste, and preserving flavor. Technically, they do not come in the category of food but are generally added for the purpose of preservation. There isa list of food additives widely used in food items color additives, anti-cake agents, emulsifiers, dough strengtheners, fat replacers, fat replacers, leavening agents, pH control agents, and humectants.

NITRATE Nitrates are inorganic chemicals used to protect crops from damage. Agricultural practices usingnitrates as components cause environmental pollution. The use of nitrates is strictly prohibited and it is also seen the overuse of nitrates leads to pollution in rivers. It is the need of the hour to switch over to organic farming in order to prevent erosion of fertile soil of arable lands.

PRIMARY NUTRITION Primary nutrition is an essential part required by the plants in order to grow at an optimum level. they are commonly known as macronutrients required in large quantities by plants. Elements such as carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and oxygen come under this category. These plant nutrients are responsible for the proper growth and development of the plants. In agriculture practice, it is important to see these nutrients are provided in proper quantities so that agricultural output can be maximized.

SECONDARY NUTRITION Secondary nutrition alsoplays an important role in the development and growth of plants but is required in lesser amounts in contrast with primary nutrition. They boost chlorophyll 11 formation as well as protein synthesis. Generally, sulphur, calcium, and magnesium are considered secondary in nature. They also help to correct soil problems of plants alkaline in nature.

OBSERVED HEALTH EFFECTS Organic farming is undoubtedly the better way of farming in contrast tothe conventionalmethod of farming. This process of the chemical-free method provides numerous health benefits. Resultant high yield crops ensurehealth benefits to the maximum extent. It has been observed that the food produced organically hasa low percentage of traces of cadmium and nitrates present. having 0% chemical content

RECOMMENDATIONS Since agricultural farming is imperative in nature and its modified form of organic farming is best for practical applications. Numerous problems arising from the conventional methods can be avoided such as soil degradation, climate change, water pollution, and biodiversity loss among others. It is highly recommended to use this method worldwideso as to avoid negative externalities tothe environment. Governments are subsidizing the organic sector and promoting it to be used extensively.

TO CONSUMERS Consumers using organic products are making a wise choice as they are keeping away from the negative externalities of the environment. It has been observed that the cognitive skills of growing children respondbetter. It has also been seen those animalsconsuming organic products give out the best quality dairy products.

TO FARMERS Organic farming can bring in better quality results and that is why farmersopting for this method should go for mulching, composting as well as making use of bio-fertilizers. This will certainly help in promoting the healthy growth of crops and will also nourish soil making it more fertile. Vermicomposting is yet another excellent method to go for as it introduces vital nutrients naturally into the soil.

TO RESEARCHERS It is the social responsibility of researchers to provide bona fide informationabout different practices involved in organic farming so that no misinformation Misinformation can lead to many undesirable and harmful effects. So, it is better to avoid it at every cost. This will act as a precursor to facilitatingdynamic change in otherwise along- standingagriculture system gets circulated.

TO GOVERNMENTS Government can play the most crucial role in promoting awareness among people at large about the pros and cons of using agricultural products produced using organic farming methods. Subsidizing is one such method to be promoted for the sustainable growth of organic farming. Government can also impart education to farmers on using tools and practices to increase their yields using eco-friendly methods.

SOLUTION FOR SOIL AND FOOD QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS: - The soil, as well as food quality, can be improved using various methods such as varied crop rotation, carbon-based amendments, and covering up the crops to help build and maintain soil fertility. Such practices are meant to improve the physical properties of soil and multiply the growth of soil microbes. A recent study underscores the fact thatorganically produced products have a higher content of phytochemicals, rhizosphere microbial groups, and a lower quantity of nitrogen available.

Agriculture Admission CONTACT https://www.mangalayatan.ac.in/ info@mangalayatan.ac.in +91-8252-200-200, 8252-300-300 NH-30, Mandla Road, Near Sharda Devi Mandir, Richai, Barela, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh- 483001

Organic Agriculture - best for healthy life