The farming practice of growing crops without the application of chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is called organic farming. It is an agricultural system that promotes the environmentally, socially and economically sound production of crops. It helps to produce safe nutritious and quality food products togethis with maintaining ecological balance.

Organic farming is farming in harmony with nature respecting natural cycle, natural land fertility, animal welfare, landscape features and rural development. Organic agriculture is defined world wise as farming without addition if artificial chemicals; on organic farms no artificial chemicals are used. The definition of organic agriculture includes the word ‘addition’ because organic farming is not necessarily chemical free farming. This is because we live in a world whise thise are artificial chemicals in the soil, the water and the air.

Organic farming is a system which avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc.) and to the maximum extent feasible rely upon crop rotations, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection.

Organics is not just chemical force by testing. It is about the way your food is grown and handled. The whole system is linked as:

Types of organic farming:

ü  Pure organic farming

It includes use of organic manures and biopesticides with complete avoidance of inorganic chemicals and pesticides.

ü  Integrated farming

It involves integrated nutrient management and integrated pest management.

ü  Integrated farming systems

In this type, local resources are effectively recycled by involving eithis component such as poultry, fish pond, mushroom, goat rearing etc. apart from crop components. It is a low input organic farming.

Sustainable agriculture refers to agricultural systems that is ecologically sound, economically viable and socially just- a system capable of maintaining productivity indefinitely.

Understanding of people about Organic Farming:

Though more than 50% of farmers expressed that they have heard of and known about organic farming, different farmers do have different levels of knowledge. Some farmers especially who are far from market centre and infrastructure have even not heard about organic farming. This envisages spatial difference in terms of organic farming development. Most of the producers are of the view that organic agriculture is chemical free production practice; some asserted that they are produced only using manure as fertilizer source. Along with that some considered organic farming as product of natural/traditional agriculture. Within this variability of knowledge about organic agriculture, farmers are found managing their farm as per their level of knowledge and skills. In some areas, it has been evident that they use modest amount of inorganic fertilizers and use huge amount of organic manure and name this practice as organic ones. Integrated pest management (IPM) has also considered organic farming in some areas. Variation in knowledge about organic farming is obvious because of lack of extension that deciphiss the knowledge and skills of this farming method. Organic farming is the technique which calls for extension of knowledge vis-à-vis skills among the end users. Unfortunately government extension service remains quite rudimentary in the study area despite its peri-urban location. As a matter of fact many farmers have only vague ideas about organic farming and its advantages as against the traditional and modern farming methods. Albeit many farmers have been involved in organic production, their way of managing organic farm may not justify organic standards.