Prof. Sunita L. Thakkar [Subject: Economics] International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences Vol. 1, Issue:2, April 2013 (IJRHS) ISSN:2320-771X 101 Online & Print International, Refereed (Reviewed) & Indexed Monthly Journal www.raijmr.com RET Academy for International Journals of Multidisciplinary Research (RAIJMR) Organic Farming: Advantages, Disadvantages and Future PROF. SUNITA L. THAKKAR DNP ARTS & COMMERCE COLLEGE, DEESA Gujarat (India) Abstract: Now-a-days a lot of attention is being given to the organic farming. The world has come across disastrous consequences of GM food. In my research paper, I am going to discuss the basics of organic farming. I will also discuss the advantages, disadvantages and future of organic farming. Keywords: Organic, Cultivation, Nutrition, GM Crops 1. What is organic farming? Organic farming is natural farming. In organic farming natural method of farming is used. Organic farming works in co-operation with nature rather than against it. It involves using techniques to achieve good crop yields. It is tried to achieve without harming the natural environment or the people who live and work in it. Following methods and materials are used in organic farming: 2. A modern approach to farming The meaning of Organic farming is not going ‘back’ to traditional methods. However many of the farming methods used in the past are still useful today. In organic farming the best of these methods is chosen and it is combined with modern scientific knowledge. Organic farmers do not completely rely on nature. Instead, they use all the knowledge, techniques and materials available to work with nature. In such a way the farmer creates a healthy balance between nature and farming. In such a balance crops and animals can grow and thrive. 3. The Global World of Organic Agriculture As per the details released at BioFach 2010 at Nuremberg, The organic agriculture is developing rapidly worldwide. Statistical information is now available from 160 countries of the world. The main results of the latest global survey on organic farming are summarized below: • Almost 1.4 million producers worldwide manage 35 million hectares of agricultural land. • Oceania (12.1 million hectares), Europe (8.2 million hectares) and Latin America (8.1 million hectares) are the largest areas of organically managed agricultural land. • Australia, Argentina and China are the countries with the most organic agricultural land. • Falkland Islands (36.9 percent), Liechtenstein (29.8 percent) and Austria (15.9 percent) has the highest shares of organically managed agricultural land. • India (340’000 producers), Uganda (180’000) and Mexico (130’000) are the countries with the highest numbers of producers. • Africa has more than one third of organic producers. • If we see globally, compared to the data from 2007, in all regions the organic agricultural land area increased, almost by three million hectares in total, or nine percent. • In developing countries about one-third of the world’s organically managed agricultural land – 12 million hectares is located. • Latin America is at first place, with Asia and Africa in second and third place. • Argentina, China and Brazil are the countries with the largest area under organic management. Prof. Sunita L. Thakkar [Subject: Economics] International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences Vol. 1, Issue:2, April 2013 (IJRHS) ISSN:2320-771X 102 Online & Print International, Refereed (Reviewed) & Indexed Monthly Journal www.raijmr.com RET Academy for International Journals of Multidisciplinary Research (RAIJMR) 4. Organic Farming: Advantages a) Nutrition The basic purpose of farming is to provide food for human beings and animals. If the farming is done organically, it dramatically improves the mineral content of the food produced. The modern conventional methods use plenty of fertilizers. On the other hand organically nourished plants provide a better quality food to people and animals alike. b) Poison-free One of the important benefits of organic food is that it is free of contamination with health harming chemicals. Because of the toxic chemicals in industrialized societies there has been a profound upward trend in the incidence of diseases. c) Food Tastes Better Animals and people have the sense of taste which allows them to discern the quality of the food they eat. No surprise that organically grown food tastes better than that conventionally grown. The tastiness of a grown fruit and vegetables is directly related to its sugar content, and which in turn is a function of the quality of nutrition that the plant itself has enjoyed. d) Food Keeps Longer Organically grown plants are nourished naturally. And therefore the metabolic integrity of their cellular structure is superior to conventionally grown plants. And it directly affects its storage. Organically grown foods can be stored longer and the latter’s susceptibility to rapid mould and rotting is not seen in organically grown foods. e) Grower Benefits Most diseases and insect pests are resisted by a healthy plant grown organically in properly balanced soil. US doctor and soil nutrition pioneer Dr Northern who conducted many experiments to test the hypothesis during the 1930’s proved it. f) Lower Input Costs Expensive agrichemicals are not used in organic farming. Additionally, the greater resistance of their organically grown crops to pests and the diseases save farmers significantly in expensive insecticides, fungicides and other pesticides. g) Drought Resistance Drought tolerance is an important benefit of organically grown plants. As such plants are grown organically and naturally, they can manage easily in sudden changes of nature such as drought and floods. h) Added Value There is a continuous increase of consumer interest in the organically grown food. They are even ready to pay premium prices for it as they recognize the greater food value of the organic grown food. 5. Organic Farming: Disadvantages a) Productivity Superior productivity is the chief purpose of farming. By massive inputs of chemicals and machinery, in a very short term the yield is possible. However, over the longer time frame, productivity advantages vanish away. In organic farming soil health is given importance. Whereas industrialized agriculture thrashes the land. Prof. Sunita L. Thakkar [Subject: Economics] International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences Vol. 1, Issue:2, April 2013 (IJRHS) ISSN:2320-771X 103 Online & Print International, Refereed (Reviewed) & Indexed Monthly Journal www.raijmr.com RET Academy for International Journals of Multidisciplinary Research (RAIJMR) b) Cultivation Organic farmers usually use the method of cultivation to remove weeds prior to sowing. While their counterparts have the benefit of sowing by direct drilling of seed into soil which is herbicide treated. c) GM Crops Organic growers do not use genetically modified food crops. Such GM crops are engineered to tolerate herbicides and even resist pest. Directorate-General for Agriculture of the European Commission declared a report which claims that productivity gains attributed to GM crops are usually negligible. The main advantage is convenience only. Additionally, GM crops may be associated with harm to both human health and the environment. d) Time No doubt, in organic farming a greater interaction between a farmer and his crop is required for observation. In addition, timely intervention and weed control are also important elements. And therefore it is more labour intensive and time consuming method than chemical/mechanical agriculture. Naturally a farmer can produce more crop using industrial methods than by solely organic methods. e) Skill To farm organically it requires more skill. An organic farmer does not have a convenient chemical fix on the shelf for every problem he encounters. He has to engage careful observation and greater understanding the problem rather than simply putting a plaster over its effect. 6. Future of Organic Farming The social and economic viability and sustainability of organic farming just keeps getting better and better. A steep increase in the area of organic land has been observed in most parts of the world. Even consumers are increasingly demanding organic food. All the above factors make organic farming the future of farming. References 1. Subba Rao, I. V., Soil and environmental pollution – A threat to sustainable agriculture. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci., 1999, 47, 611–633. 2. Pretty, J., The real costs of modern farming. Agric. Syst., 2000, 65, 113–136. 3. Woodward, L. (1996) Can Organic Farming Feed the World? Elm Farm Research Centre, Newbury, UK. 4. Albert, H. (2000) An Agricultural Testament, Other India Press and Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, Goa. 5. Alvares, C., Shiva,V., Ismail, S., Lakshmi, K.V., Mathen, K. and Bernard, D. (1999) (Eds) The Organic Farming Reader, Other India Press, Goa, pp. 84;171.