Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adopted to local conditions rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good equality of life for all involved. Organic farming systems do not use toxic agrochemical inputs (pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and fertilizers). Instead, they are based on development of biological diversity and the maintenance and replenishment of soil productivity. Organic farming describes two major aspects of alternative agriculture:

1.  Substitution of manures and other organic matter for inorganic fertilizers.

2. Biological pest and disease control instead of chemical control.

Objectives of Organic Agriculture

-Reuse , recycle and reformation of inputs

-Fairness among all the components of the agro ecosystem

-Land, soil and watershed management

-Minimization of waste and pollutants from the agriculture production -system

-Proper livestock management

-Conservation and utilization of biodiversity

-Documentation and utilization of indigenous and traditional knowledge, skill and techniques.

-Production of safe, healthy and nutritious food.

Characteristics of Organic Farming

▪ Long term soil fertility management through the management of organic matter. 

▪Use of leguminous crops as a source of biological N fixation.

▪ Use of compost and crop residues as a good slow release nutrients sources and have high amount of organic matter.

▪ Adoption of cultural practices such as natural predators, manual weed control and crop rotations.

▪ Avoiding highly intensive livestock production by ensuring sufficient space to meet their needs.

▪No use of chemical fertilizers or synthetic drugs.

▪No use of GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

▪Prevention from soil erosion

▪ Promotion of biodiversity.

Constraints

• Yield losses during transition phase.

• Organic farming is labor intensive.

• Lack of adequate technical support.

• Lack of convincing research data.

• Availability of organic inputs locally.

• Problems of plant protection.

• Certification is costly & difficult.

• Absence of organized market.