Handbook of Organic Farming

Description

Organic farming is an alternative agricultural system which originated in reaction to rapidly changing farming practices. Organic farming continues to be developed by various organic agriculture organisations. It relies on fertilisers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure and bone meal while placing emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting. Biological pest control, mixed cropping and the fostering of insect predators are encouraged. In general, organic standards are designed to allow the use of naturally occurring substances while prohibiting or strictly limiting synthetic substances. Basically, naturally occurring pesticides such as pyrethrin and rotenone are permitted while synthetic fertilisers and pesticides are generally prohibited. However some synthetic substances that are allowed include copper sulphate, elemental sulphur and Ivermectin. Genetically modified organisms, nano-materials, human sewage sludge, plant growth regulators, hormones, and antibiotic use in livestock husbandry are prohibited. Reasons for advocation of organic farming include real or perceived advantages in sustainability, openness, self-sufficiency, autonomy/independence, health, food security and food safety, although the match between perception and reality is continually challenged.
This book explores the various facets of this field and acts as a useful guide for both the people of the academic as well as industrial arenas.