When we talk about Organic farming, it does not mean going ‘back to the traditional farming methods. A technique in which the cultivation of land takes place in a sustainable manner using natural resources. But it also does not mean that man-made chemicals are not used. As in many organic farming methods, man-made fertilizers and pesticides are used not to improve crop production but to improve soil fertility.

India has been granted diverse climatic conditions i.e from temperature to subtropical and tropical climates. As a result, India is the second-largest producer of fruits and is able to produce almost all kinds of fruits.

Although all types of fruits are being cultivated in India, however, predominantly subtropical and tropical fruits like banana, mango, and citrus fruits are being produced in large quantities.

Among tropical fruits, maximum production is attributed to bananas, followed by papaya, pineapple, and sapota.

As far as subtropical fruits are concerned maximum production is of mango, followed by citrus fruits, guava, grapes, and litchi.

Among temperature fruits most prominent are apple, pear, and walnut followed by peach and plum.

THE NEED FOR ORGANIC CULTIVATION

Growing awareness among consumers for sale and healthy, chemical residue-free food, especially, the items required for raw consumption such as fruits and salad vegetables has resulted in demand for organically grown residue-free fruits and vegetables.

Fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are the most preferred organic commodities.

Organic agriculture including horticulture seeks to produce healthy, good quality food in an ecologically responsible way. The organic management systems are designed to avoid the need for agrochemicals and to minimize damage to the environment and wildlife. Organic growers the world over use sustainable management practices to maintain optimum natural futility and biological activity in the soil and to enhance the farm environment by encouraging farm wildlife. This helps to support plenty of natural predators, thereby preventing pests and diseases from reaching damaging levels. A healthy organic soil ensures sustained availability of nutrients through an intricate biological process. Recycling of biomass keeps it rich in organic carbon and precious biological life and the combination of all such natural processes helps produce crops that yield better in quantity and quality and is able to resist pests and disease.

Principles of organic agriculture

1. Principle of Health

2. Principle of Ecology

3. Principle of Fairness

4. Principle of Care

While conventional farming aims on achieving maximum yields by increasing the supply of nutrients and decreasing losses through a reduction in pests, diseases, and weeds, organic agriculture offers a holistic way of farming through a whole system approach. Besides the production of commodities of high quality, organic, agriculture aims at conservation of natural resources, maintenance of soil fertility, ensuring clean water, and rich biodiversity. The art of organic agriculture is to make the best use of ecological principles and processes under defined standards to achieve sustainability, high quality, and optimum productive system.

Avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

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Organic farming negates the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides by improving soil fertility by using composts, natural minerals, cover crops, and recycling organic material. Organic agriculture is not just the exclusion of synthetic inputs and substitution by organically acceptable inputs. Simple input substitution may fulfill the requirement of certification standards, but it will not guarantee sustainability and long-term productivity with an intact resource pool. Organic farming begins with the right selection of site, selection of high-quality cultivators, planting of a healthy sapling, and good soil management for nutrient cycling, productivity, and tilth. It also involves an integrated approach to pest management to minimize losses from insect pests, diseases, and weeds.