Concept of Organic Farming

• Organic farming systems do not use toxic agrochemical inputs (pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers). Instead, they are based on development of biological diversity and the maintenance and replenishment of soil productivity.
• Organic farming describes two major aspects of alternative agriculture:

❑ Substitution of manures and other organic matter for inorganic fertilizers.

❑ Biological pest and disease control instead of chemical control.

• Organic farming is one of several ways to sustainable agriculture and many of the techniques used (intercropping, crop rotation, ploughing, mulching, integration of crops and livestock etc.) are practiced under various agricultural systems.
• What makes organic farming unique is that almost all synthetic inputs are prohibited and soil health improving agronomic practices are mandated.