Organic Agriculture notes PDF

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Organic Agriculture  Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. It combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.  Specific by IFOAM as 4 guiding principles: Health, Ecology, Fairness and Care  Health/Ecology = using agro-ecological methods such as recycling of nutrients and organic matter for improvement of soil health and enhancing functional diversity to minimise pests and disease in crop production. Also the proper management of the health and welfare of livestock.  The global food system is not sustainable due to the lack of food security for large population, the distribution and use patterns of food.  Producing organic products for high value markets can provide small hold farmers with access to knowledge and technology.  Organic food and fibre has a huge potential for benefitting a large number of small hold farmers in Asia and Africa. Principle

Key words

Health Organic agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible

Ecology Organic agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them.

Prevention, immunity, resilience, regeneration, interdependence between soil, plant and animal health.

Recycling efficient resource use, ecological balance, genetic and agricultural diversity, habitats, functional biodiversity.

Fairness Care Organic Organic agriculture agriculture should should build on be managed in a relationships that precautionary and ensure fairness responsible with regard to manner to protect the common the health and environment and welling being of life current and opportunities. future generations and the environment. Socially and Technology ecologically just assessment, and use of natural risk aversion, resources and acknowledgement environment, of limited allowing understanding of livestock to ecosystems, express natural respect for behaviour. practical experience and indigenous knowledge.

 Livelihood security is framed via the capabilities, assets, and activities required for a means of living. It is sustainable when people can cope with and recover from stress and shocks, maintain or enhance their capabilities and assets and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the next generation.

 The main limitations of smallholder farming in developing countries is poverty and social exclusion along with lack of access to land and productive resources.  Organic agriculture includes both certified and non-certified food systems.  Certified systems must be managed according to organic standards and principles and are subject to regular independent inspections.  Non-certified organic still follow the principles and standards of organic agriculture but are no certified. Possible contribution of organic agriculture on four dimensions of food security in relation to smallholders Food security dimensions

Certified organic agriculture

Physical availability of food (level of food production)

Focus on cash crops, moderate change in management and food crop yields. Increased house hold income, reduced production cost, improved market access with price premium.

Economic and physical access to food

Food utilisation (diversity of the diet)

Stability of the other three dimensions over time

Diversified food purchases, inclusion of protein rich legumes in the cropping pattern leads to increased diversity of diet, improving health by avoiding chemicals. Higher income and reduced debts to capital building and secure purchasing power. Increased resilience towards economic shocks in the family. But dependent on export markets and demand in the industrialised world.

Non-certified organic agriculture Focus on food crops, changed management, intensified land use, yield increase. Increased income through reduced production cost and improved local market access with little or no price premium. Diversified food purchases, inclusion of legumes in the cropping pattern leads to increased diversity of diet, improving health by avoiding chemicals. Little capital building to still economically vulnerable....