All About Types of Organic Farming, Principles, Methodologies - 24 Mantra Organic

Organic farming has touched new heights in the past few years. With the rise in growing awareness, conscious consumers are also looking to get to the roots and understand the core of organic farming. To satisfy this thirst for knowledge, here is a comprehensive post that covers everything about organic farming. Read about everything from the guiding principles to the types of organic farming here!

What is organic farming?

Organic farming is an agricultural practice that makes use of natural fertilisers and biological pest control derived from plant or animal waste. It was in response to the rampant use of chemicals, synthetic products, and toxins introduced into the environment in the aftermath of the Green Revolution. Hence, the different types of organic farming attempt to undo the damage and reinstate ecological balance.

Advantages of organic farming

The many advantages of organic farming include:

• Organic farming promotes genetic diversity.
• Since organic farming boosts yield, it makes optimum use of a scarce resource like land.
• Organic farming discourages the use of expensive fertilisers and pesticides, and as such, are more affordable to the farmers.
• The use of local and readily available inputs paired with a high yield offers a rewarding return on investment for the farmers.
• Organic farming is sustainable and eco-friendly as it does not involve the use of humanmade artificial products.
• Since organic farming makes use of natural fertilisers, the crops and products obtained through organic farming are nutritionally superior.
• Given the high demand for organic products across the nation and the globe, the high export value increases the income generated from it.

Limitations of organic farming

Currently, the different types of organic farming are plagued with the following limitations:

• Lack of awareness and infrastructural support can be detrimental to the growth potential of organic farming.
• Due to the lack of chemicals, the overall shelf-life of organic products is shorter.
• During the off-season, farmers may not have a lot of options in organic farming.

Guiding Principles Of Organic Farming

The following four principles govern all types of organic farming:

• Principles of Health (of the people, ecosystem, and communities)
• Principles of Ecology (by correcting the balance of the environment, nature, or ecosystem)
• Principles of Fairness (through setting up good relationships between humans, nature, and quality of life)
• Principles of Care (by caring for the environment today, tomorrow, and in the future)

Techniques and Methodologies Commonly Used in All Types of Organic Farming

Regardless of the types of organic farming, they all make use of the following techniques:

Soil Management

Soil management involves the use of natural fertilisers for replenishing the nutrients of the soil after every subsequent cropping season. Organic farming also uses crop rotation patterns to increase the fertility of the soil.

Weed Management

In organic farming, weed management discourages the use of chemical weedicides. However, pulling out the weeds mechanically require a lot of labour and is inefficient. Hence, organic farming recommends the use of natural weedicides by mowing or cutting and mulching.

Crop Diversity and Crop Rotation

Organic farming promotes intercropping, which allows the cultivation of different crops to meet market demands and revive the soil.

Biological Pest Control

Naturally, as all types of organic farming avoid the use of chemicals, farmers are educated to use living organisms for pest control. For example, the unrestricted growth of water hyacinth can be controlled through weevils.

Green Manure and Composting

Organic farming emphasises the introduction of plant or animal-based products that are nutritionally dense. These fertilisers and manures are often composted to make the nutrients more readily available to the microbes present in the soil.

Types Of Organic Farming

There are basically two main types of organic farming, which are:

Pure Organic Farming

Pure organic farming is one of the rarer types of organic farming. It is because of the fact that pure organic farming primarily depends on organic manure, fertilisers, and biopesticides for the cultivation of crops. It strictly forbids any kind of inorganic chemical or pesticides that may affect the yield, positively or negatively.

Integrated Organic Farming

Integrated Organic Farming is one of the types of organic farming that combines the best of organic farming with nutrient management and integrated pest management. In this type of farming, producers grow crops using natural resources, as they would in pure organic farming. However, to enhance its nutritional value and to protect the crops from pests, they will make use of additional inputs.

Now, you have an in-depth understanding of organic farming, the types of organic farming, and all the techniques and methodologies used. It must have become clear by now that organic farming is better for your health, farmers, and overall ecology. So make the smarter choice by using organic products!

Try 24 Mantra Organic’s range of products and savour the taste of organic goodness.