By using chemical fertilizers that enrich the soil with only the major minerals like Potassium, Phosphorus etc instead of more than fifteen that the soil really needs, we are in fact depleting the soil more than enriching it. Over a period of time, the soil is robbed of its fertility and is unable to yield the same crop for the same quantity of fertilizers. That sets off a vicious cycle of adding more and more fertilizer to the soil by the season and depleting it like never before.
Organic farming systems use a variety of natural processes to enhance the health of crops and the soil and reduce the incidence of pests, diseases and weeds, thereby minimizing the need for chemical inputs.
Sustainable Crop Rotations: Effective crop rotations are fundamental to both fertility and pest and disease control in organic farming. Rotations provide an obstacle to pest and disease life cycles by removing crops for prolonged periods of time.
Maintenance of Biodiversity: Crop rotation also creates a more diverse ecosystem which helps to build populations of a pest’s natural predators. The encouragement and enhancement of biological cycles within the farming system is one of the fundamental principles of organic agriculture. Avoiding biocides, maintaining diverse habitats and supporting microbiologically rich soils all encourage inherent biological protection within the system.
Optimum Crop Health and Vigour: Microbial activity within the soil is vital to provide the range and quantity of nutrients required by the crop, enabling the plant to maximize its ability to combat pest and pathogen attack. A number of studies have found pest densities to be higher on crops fed with inorganic nitrogen fertilizer compared to those fed with compost and manure.
Composting and Good Hygiene: Composting serves two important purposes: it builds and maintains organic matter levels in the soil (enhancing soil microbial communities) and removes pests, weed seeds and pathogens. The role of compost in suppressing disease is also becoming more apparent. Good crop hygiene, such as the removal and destruction of crop debris, is important to clear potential reservoirs of pests and diseases.
According to the Economic & Social Research Council, Global Environmental Change Programme, 1999, pollution of air and water is found to be reduced on organic farms, soil health improves, and the number and variety of wild species, such as plants, butterflies and spiders is enhanced.
Not just this, animal welfare is taken very seriously under organic standards. Going organic is the best way to live in harmony with nature and protect this planet.