Organic farming presentation rrrrrrrr

BEFORE GREEN REVOLUTION

In traditional India only organic farming was practiced.

No chemical fertilizers and pesticides were used.

Only organic techniques where natural pesticides and natural manures were obtained from plant and animal products were used.

BEFORE GREEN REVOLUTIONCONT.

During 1950s and 1960s, the ever increasing population of India lead to a food scarcity.

• The government was forced to import food grains from foreign countries.

And also forced to increase the food grain production of India to increase the food security .

To increase the food grain production

was introduced in 1960’s

Under the leadership of

M.S. Swaminathan…

POSITIVE SIDE OF GREEN REVOLUTION

Increased the Country’s food production

Attained self sufficiency

‘Food deficit’ to ‘food surplus’

Export of food products

Higher income

NEGATIVE SIDE OF GREEN REVOLUTION

Reduction in Natural fertility of soil

Destruction of soil structure

Erosion and soil loss

Killing of beneficial microbes and insects

Ground water pollution and depletion

Atmospheric pollution

• With introduction of green revolution, use of chemical fertilizers although contributed 40% of crop production, continuous use of chemicals in agriculture seriously jeopardized the soil health and environment.

• The scientists have realized that the ‘Green Revolution’ with high input use has reached a plateau and is now sustained with diminishing return.

• So to maintain the natural balance we have to search another alternative method.

One of the alternative method is

FARMING

What is Organic Farming?

Organic farming is the production of crops and livestock without the use of synthetic chemicals and inorganic fertilizers.

OBJECTIVES To work with natural systems rather than

dominating them. To encourage and enhance the biological cycles. Production of poison-free food for better quality. Maintenance of soil organic matter and soil

fertility. Recycling of nutrients. Sustainability and soil health.

PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC FARMING

BENEFITS

Sustainable agricultural production,

Restoration of soil fertility,

Production of quality foods,

Avoidance of pollution of soil,

Water and air including low cost technology.

Supply of nutrients Nutrients are applied through organic manures including

• FYM, • Compost, • Dung of various animals, • Poultry manure, • Green manure and• Crop residues in farm fields.

SUPPLY OF NUTRIENTS THROUGH ORGANIC MANURES

NITROGEN - N- fixing legumes, animal wastes and by products.

PHOSPHORUS - Organic manures – release organic acids – act as chelating agent- P fixation reduced..

POTASSIUM - Organic manures –cation exchange capacity .

MICRO NUTRIENTS - Organic manures- release organic acids - It act as a chelating agent - increase the availability of micronutrients such as Ca , Mg, S, Mn, Cu and Zn.

DISADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FARMING

LOWER PRODUCTIVITY   An organic farm cannot produce as much yield as a conventional or industrialized farm.

REQUIRES SKILL An organic farmer requires greater understanding of his crop

ORGANIC FARMING AND CHEMICAL FARMING

Both having it’s own advantages and disadvantages…

Now it becomes a great debatable question whether to use organic or inorganic farming.

With the increase in population our compulsion would be not only to stabilize agricultural production but to increase it further in sustainable manner.

POLICY RECOMENDATIONS

The linking of the sources of production to the market for the same.

A concerted effort by the government in the policy level, active participation of the private sector and participation of the general public is needed for boosting the demand for the organic agricultural products.

Organic agro products should be included in the price policy of the govt.

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS CONT.

Technology should also be harnessed in a big way to provide this age-old format of agricultural production with the desired level of improvisation and adaptation.

Investment in R&D is must and should be initiated by the govt.

Certification procedure should be made simple and affordable for even small and marginal farmers .