Organic farming

What is organic farming?

Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones.
Organic production is a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock and people. The principal goal of organic production is to develop enterprises that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment.
Our definition of organic farming recognizes the direct connection between our health and how the food we eat is produced. Artificial fertilizers are banned and farmers develop fertile soil by rotating crops and using compost, manure and clover.
Strict regulations, known as ‘standards’, define what organic farmers can and cannot do – and place a strong emphasis on the protection of wildlife and the environment.
Taking its name from the organic matter that farmers use as an alternative to synthetic fertilisers, organic farmers take a holistic, principled approach that respects and harnesses the power of natural processes to build positive health across the ecology of the farm.
Organic farming methods offer the best, currently available, practical model for addressing climate-friendly food production. This is because it is less dependent on oil-based fertilisers and pesticides and confers resilience in the face of climatic extremes. It also stores higher levels of carbon in the soil, and as a result if organic farming was common practice in kenya, we could offset at least 23% of agriculture's current greenhouse emissions.

The general principles of organic production,  include the following:

• protect the environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, optimize biological productivity and promote a sound state of health
• maintain long-term soil fertility by optimizing conditions for biological activity within the soil
• maintain biological diversity within the system
• recycle materials and resources to the greatest extent possible within the enterprise
• provide attentive care that promotes the health and meets the behavioural needs of livestock
• prepare organic products, emphasizing careful processing, and handling methods in order to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the products at all stages of production
• rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems 

how it is practiced

In organic farming:

• artificial chemical fertilisers are prohibited – instead organic farmers develop a healthy, fertile soil by growing and rotating a mixture of crops, adding organic matter such as compost or manure and using clover to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere
• pesticides are severely restricted – instead organic farmers develop nutrient-rich soil to grow strong, healthy crops and encourage wildlife to help control pests and disease
• animal welfare is at the heart of the system and a truly free-range life for farm animals is guaranteed
• a diversity of crops and animals are raised on the farm and rotated around the farm over several seasons, including fallow periods. This mixed farming approach helps break cycles of pests and disease and builds fertility in the soil
• the routine use of drugs, antibiotics and wormers is banned – instead the farmer will use preventative methods, like moving animals to fresh pasture and keeping smaller herd and flock sizes
• genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are banned

importance 
 1.Organic farming techniques improve the soil.
This is of vital importance because soil is at the heart of all food production. Whereas conventional,
chemical-intensive methods deplete soil, organic principles add life to the soil and healthy soil
produces healthy food.
2. Organic foods are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The vast majority of prepared and processed conventional foods contain GMOs. Many consumers
remain skeptical of this new technology, as the long term health and ecological implications are
largely unknown.
3. Organic foods are not irradiated.
Irradiation damages the quality of food and a diet high in irradiated foods has not been proven safe
over the long term.
4. Biodiversity is improved.
Diverse systems are more resilient as they are less prone to disease and infestations. Irradiation
using radioactive materials is an environmental and health hazard.
5. Organic farming does not use synthetic pesticides.
Synthetic pesticides are not only a danger to personal health, but are a threat to farm workers, local
ecosystems, waterways and the surrounding communities.
6. Waterways are not contaminated by chemical runoff from conventional farms.
This includes pesticide runoff, as well as nutrient and pathogen runoff associated with the raising of livestock
in an industrial manner.
7. Reduced reliance on chemical and agribusiness corporations is better for farmers.
As agribusiness corporations concentrate and consolidate power at both the input and output ends, they
have been able to amass huge fortunes at the expense of farmers. Organic
agriculture gives farmers and farm communities another option.
8. Animal cruelty.
Organically raised animals are raised more ethically. While conventionally raised chickens are subjected to
life in a battery cage, organic chickens have the ability to stand up, walk around and access sunlight. Pigs,
turkeys and cows have access to pasture, fresh air and sunlight.
9. Organically raised animals are not given antibiotics.
The overuse of antibiotics in factory farms has contributed to pollution problems and outbreaks of many
deadly diseases, including Lysteriosis, E-Coli, antibiotic-resistant MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcusaureus).
10. We pay the cost one way or another.
Whereas organic farming internalizes the cost of growing food and treating animals well (this is why it costs
a bit more at the checkout), conventional farming tends to externalize these costs. The air, soil and water
pollution, the proliferation of disease from factory farms, the loss of soil and farm communities costs a lot of money.

by nicklykipkorir