Principles of Organic Farming

Description

Principles of Organic Farming is a practical oriented text about organic crop management that provides background information as well as details of ecology-improving practices. This book is meant to give the reader a holistic appreciation of the principles and importance of organic farming and to suggest ecologically sound practices that help to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture. This book is intended as a professional basic textbook for undergraduate level students and will specifically meet the requirement of the students of organic farming being taught in all the agricultural universities across the globe. In addition, the purpose of this work is to spread the basic concepts of organic farming in order to; guide the production systems towards a sustainable agriculture and ecologically safe, obtain harmless products of higher quality, contribute to food security, generating income through the access to markets and improve working conditions of farmers and their neighborhoods. Note: T&F does not sell or distribute the hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This title is co-published with NIPA. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Foreword Preface Table of Contents Chapter 1: Exordium Definition Concepts of organic farming Objectives of organic farming Key Principles of Organic Agriculture Principle of health Principle of ecology Principle of fairness Principle of care Benefits of organic agriculture 1. Provides multifunctional benefits 2. Biodiversity 3. Recycles plant nutrients 4. Employ, natural and biological control of pests and diseases 5. Integrates animal husbandry into the production system 6. Improves and conserve soil conditions 7. Lower negative environmental impacts 8. Better Water Quality 9. Stable soils – less prone to erosion 10. Carbon sequestration Sustainability of organic farming The organic agriculture techniques are known to be ecologically sustainable by: Social sustainability Economic sustainability Organic versus conventional farming Components of organic farming Organic conversion challenges A. Climate-related challenges to conversion B. Social and cultural challenges to conversion C. Economic challenges to conversion Which crops to grow during conversion? Criteria for crop selection during conversion Characteristics of an ideal organic farm a. The ecological goal b. The social goal c. The economic goal Prospects of organic farming Chapter 2: Scenario of Organic Farming Historical Perspective of Organic Farming Agriculture during the sangam age Agricultural Implements Land Preparation Crops and Varieties Seeds and Sowing Cropping Systems Weed Management Soil Fertility Irrigation Management Plant Protection Harvesting and Threshing Developmental Era of Organic Farming Era of Emergence (1924–1970) - Pre-World War II Era of Development Post-World War II (1970–1990) Era of Growth – Twenty first century World Scenario of organic farming Organic agricultural land Global market Africa Asia Europe Latin America and the Caribbean North America Oceania Indian scenario Tamil Nadu scenario Organic farming in Tamil Nadu Chapter 3: Government Initiatives and Research Institutes Government Initiatives and Research Institutes Government Initiatives to Promote Organic Farming i) National Project on Organic Farming ii) Capital Investment Subsidy for Setting up of Organic InputsProduction iii) National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSHF) iv) Network Project on OrganicFarming by ICAR v) National Horticulture Mission vi) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna vii) ICAR Contribution in Promoting Organic Farming viii) Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) Objectives GoI Budget 2018-19 – Operation Green Agencies and institutions related to organic farming Chapter 4: Biodiversity and Organic Farming The diversity of agro-ecosystems a) Genetic Diversity b) Species diversity c) Ecosystem diversity Methods of measuring Biodiversity Important uses of biodiversity Consumptiveuse value Social values Source of Food and Improved Varieties Drugs and Medicines Aesthetic and Cultural Benefits Megacenters of biodiversity and hot spots India’s biodiversity Threats to biodiversity a) Habitat Loss and Fragmentation b) Disturbance and Pollution c) Introduction of Exotic Species d) Extinction of Species Conservation of biodiversity A. In situ Conservation Strategies B. Ex-situ Conservation Strategies Biodiversity conservation in India Provisions of Act. Functions of Authority Agrobiodiversity What is happening to agrobiodiversity? 100 years of agricultural change:Trends and figures related to agrobiodiversity Organic agriculture and biodiversity Conservation of cultivars and livestock breeds Enhances Pollinator Populations Enhances Bird and Beneficial Spider Populations Enhances Natural Enemy Populations Enhances soil biodiversity Chapter 5: Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Risk Minimizing Measures following GAP a) Pre-planting Measures i. Site Selection ii. Manure handling and field application iii. Manure storage and sourcing iv. Timely application of manure v. Selection of appropriate crops b) Production measures i. Irrigation water quality ii. Irrigation Methods iii. Field sanitation iv. Worker facilities and hygiene c) Harvest Measures i. Clean harvest Aids ii. Worker hygiene and training d) Post-harvest Measures i. Worker hygiene ii. Monitor wash water quality iii. Sanitize packing house and packing operations iv. Pre-cooling and cold storage v. Transportation of produce from farm to produce Chapter 6: Organic Sources of Plant Nutrients & Its Management Properties of a fertile soil Essential plant nutrients Soil organic matter Identifying sources of biomass Feed the Soil Approach Manures Farmyard manure Improving the value of farm yard manure Sheep and Goat Manure Poultry Manure Concentrated organic manures Other Concentrated Organic Manures Compost Why composting is necessary? Advancing of Composting The Phases of Composting Process Methods of composting The Benefits of Using Composts to Agriculture A. Improves the Physical Properties of Soils B. Enhances the Chemical Properties of Soils C. Improves the Biological Properties of Soils Economic and Social Benefits of Composting Vermicomposting Materials for preparation of vermicompost Selection of suitable earthworm Steps for vermicompost preparation Coir pith composting Sugarcane trash composting Collection of trash TNAU biomineralizer Crop residue composting Compost enrichment Tricho-composting Biofertilisers Working Principles of Bio-fertilizer Application of Biofertilizers Seed treatment Seedling root dip Main field application A. Nitrogen fixers Rhizobium spp. Uses Methods to use Azospirillum Uses Methods to use Seed treatment For transplanted crop Seedling root tip For trees Azotobacter Blue Green Algae Uses Method of application Azolla Uses Method of application B. Phosphate solubilizers C. P Mobilizing Biofertilizers Mycorrhizal fungi Uses Method to use AM Inoculation Advantages of Using Biofertilizers in Agriculture Multi varietal seed technique (Navathaniyam) 1. Cereals: Any four crops under this category 2. Pulses: Any four crops under this category 3. Oilseeds: Any four crops under this category 4. Green manures: Any four crops under this category 5. Spices and condiments: Any four crops under this group Green manuring Benefits of using green manuring Erosion Deposition of Sediment Compaction Soil aggregation at the surface Infiltration Improved soil moisture Soil Crusting Nutrient Loss or Imbalance Adding organic matter to the soil Organic Matter Biological Activity Ameliorating problem soils Fertility improvement of soils Improvement in crop yield and quality Improvement of soil tilth Disease control Addition of Nitrogen Types of green manures Legumes Non Legumes Selecting which green manures to use Green manures Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) Sesbania speciosa Sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) Manila agathi (Sesbania rostrata) Wild indigo (Tephrosia purpurea) Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) Pillipesara (Phaseolus trilobus) Gliricidia (Gliricidia maculata) Karanj (Pongamia glabra) Calotropis (Calotropis gigantca) Panchagavya – An effective on farm input Method of preparation Modified panchagavya Method of preparation Methods of application As foliar spray Through Flow/irrigation system As Seed/seedling treatment For seed storage Enriched Panchagavya (for one acre quantity required 200 kg) EM – Technology in organic farming How to use EM EM-1 formulation EM-5 formulation for control of insects and pests Fermented Plant Extracts (FPE) Application of EM formulations EM- Bokashi Biogas slurry applications Conservation Tillage No-Till Strip-Till Agro-industrial wastes Types of agro-industrial wastes Agricultural residues When Crop Residue Incorporated in to Field it Helps in Improving Crop residue management Mulching Animal feed Composting Crop Rotation Chapter 7: Organic Crop Protection Insect management Components of organic insect management 1. Preventive practices 2. Habitat diversification Intercropping system Trap cropping Ecological engineering Ecological engineering for pest management Above ground Ecological engineering for pest management – Below ground 3. Cultural practices Crop rotation Organic manure Depth and Timing of Seeding Water Management Tillage Summer ploughing Companion Planting Biofumigation 4. Physical control A. Manipulation of temperature B. Manipulation of moisture C. Manipulation of light D. Manipulation of air E. Use of irradiation Use of greasing material Bird perches Rope method Use of effigies Use of Abrasive dusts 5. Mechanical control Mechanical force Mechanical exclusion Appliances in controlling the pests 6. Biological control Techniques in biological control Important conservation measures are Qualities of a Successful Parasitoid in Biological Control Programme Trichogramma Predators and Predatism Insect predator qualities Predatism Beneficial insects Scavengers Red Ants for control of tea mosquito Rearing of red ants Wild birds The black-kneed capsid Lacewings Ladybird beetle Carabid beetles Mites and spiders Wasps Microbial control Properties of Bt 7. Farmers wisdom in pest management Community level practices 8. Use of plant products / botanicals Use of Cycas flowers Five leaf extract In a mud pot, any five of the below mentioned plant leaves pound well To this add Turmeric rhizome extract Cow dung extract Fermented curd water Herbal Pesticide formulation Neem-cow urine extract PUSH-PULL strategy for insect pest management How push-pull strategy works Benefits of push-pull strategy Disease management What Organisms Causes Disease? What types of symptoms can you expect from these organisms? Principles of Plant Disease Control 1. Preventive practices 2. Cultural Control A healthy crop Choice of tolerant or resistant crops and varieties Field hygiene and sanitation Eradication of alternate and collateral hosts Choice of geographic area Dry areas Disease History Soil Drainage Selection of field Crop rotation Manures Mixed cropping Soil amendments Plant spacing Irrigation Amount of irrigation Soil pH Rouging Compost application 3. Physical methods Hot water treatment Mulching 4. ITK in disease control Weed management in organic farms What Weeds are doing in my field beyond competition? Weeds are an indicator of a soil’s health 1. Weed Management during Transition 2. Preventive methods: Preventing or denying establishment or entry of a new weed species into an area 3. Cultural or Agronomic methods Field Preparation Pasturing Sowing time and density Planting in narrow rows Planting direction Plant density Planting Method Stale seed bed Cover Crop Intercropping Crop rotation Choice of crops and varieties Water management techniques Pre-germination of weeds Planting to moisture Buried drip irrigation 4. Eradicative method (Physical method) Deep digging Hand weeding Hand hoeing Digging Mowing Cutting Dredging and Chaining 5. General techniques 6. Mulching Living mulch Organic mulches Pebble mulch 7. Mechanical methods 8. Thermal weed control methods Flamers Freezing Infrared Weeders Soil solarization 9. Biological methods Bioherbicide approach 10. Naturally occurring bio herbicides Allelopathy in bio-control programmes What other factors might need to be taken into account? 11. ITK’s in weed management 12. Navathaniyam Control of Nut grass weed in the crop field 13. Recent approaches 14. Herbicide / Kalaikolli Nematode management The nematode control methods are 1. Regulatory control Exclusion 2. Cultural control Selection of healthy seed material Adjusting the time of planting Fallowing Deep summer ploughing Manuring Flooding Trap cropping Antagonistic crops Removal and destruction of infected plants Use of resistant varieties 3. Physical control Heat treatment of soil Hot water treatment of planting material Washing process Seed cleaning 4. Biological control For the control of Root knot nematodes: Meloidogyne incognita & M. enterolobii Predacious fungi Non-constricting rings Endozoic fungi Rodent and bird pests management Rat control Eli viratti (Rat control) Eli kattuppaduthuthal (Rat control) Neekalpoduthal (Rat control in rice field) Rat control method in coconut Extract of Ipomoea fistulosa Rat control in field Birds perching sticks Prevention of Rodents Control of Field Rats Using Mud pots Paravaithangi (Bird perch) Tying palmyra fronds Tying unused recordable tapes Tying polythene sheet and beating drums Use of small flags Inverted coconut fronds Owl perches Bird scaring in maize using tin and stick Wild boar control Chapter 8: ITK’s in Organic Farming Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) Rational and Principles of ITK’s Soil and water management Preparatory cultivation Manures and manuring Weed management Pest and disease management Storage Pest Management Rainfall Chapter 9: Organic Crop Production Techniques General guidelines for Organic Crop Production Choice of crops and varieties Conversion period Diversity in crop production Manurial Policy Pests, diseases and weed management Pest and disease control Weed control Contamination control Soil and water conservation Organic Crop Production Techniques Rice Pulses Redgram Blackgram Cowpea Banana Mango Vegetables Brinjal Cucurbits Snake Gourd Ribbed Gourd Bitter Gourd Pumpkin Bottle Gourd Cabbage Tuber crops Radish Beetroot Carrot Potato Aromatic crops Red Oleander Pepper Cardamom Garlic Coconut Ginger Chapter 10: Integrated Organic Farming System The following strategies should be followed for adoption of integrated organic farming 1. Site Selection/land consolidation 2. Cooperative/community approach 3. Availability of organic inputs 4. Selection of crops and cultivars 5. Quality of organic inputs 6. Cropping system approach 7. Developmental and promotional activities 8. Certification and accreditation 9. Sales and marketing 10. Subsidize organic inputs and produce 11. Develop organic farming clusters of villages 12. Increase public awareness and build capacity Design of integrated farming system model Before you start your design Characteristics of an ideal integrated organic farm The ecological goal Important environmental goals are: The social goal Important social goals include The economic goal Important economic goals include Strategies to improve long-term productivity of the integrated organic farm Integrated organic Farm Model using 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) land Challenges Benefits of integrated organic farming system Usefulness of Organic Farming in the context of System Approach Chapter 11: Organic Certification and Legislation of Organic Food Purpose of certification The certification process National Programme on Organic Production National Standards for Organic Production (NSOP) Conversion Requirements Crop production Food processing and handling Packaging Labelling Storage and transport General requirement for certification Application for certification Review of application Scheduling of inspection Verification during inspection Continuation of certification Fair trade Appeal Initiating organic farming 1. Development of organic farming practices 2. Imparting training on organic farming 3. Identification of areas and villages for organic farming 4. Facility creation for organic farmers 5. Organic certification Participatory Guarantee System Guiding Principles for Organic Participatory Guarantee System In tune with the international trends and IFOAM’s PGS Guidelines, 1. Participation 2. Shared Vision 3. Transparency 4. Trust 5. Horizontality National networking Advantages of PGS over third party certification system Limitations of PGS Operational Structure Organic Food Regulations in India Objectives India Organic Logo- Certification mark of NPOP PGS-India Organic Logo- Certification mark of PGS-India Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017 Salient Features of the Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017: Chapter 12: Post Harvest Management of Organic Produces Maturity index for fruits and vegetables a) Skin colour b) Optical methods c) Shape d) Size e) Aroma f) Fruit opening g) Leaf changes h) Abscission i) Firmness j) Juice content k) Sugars m) Acidity Planning for Postharvest Quality Influence of Pre-harvest Factors on Postharvest Quality a) Soil Factors b) Nitrogen c) Phosphorus and Potassium d) Calcium e) Soil Texture f) Irrigation g) Insect Pests h) Selection of Vegetable Varieties i) Other Production Considerations Harvest Handling Harvesting time Local weather conditions could affect the harvesting time Harvesting technique and operations Fruits Plucking methods vary according to the kind of produce being harvested: Vegetables Flower structure vegetables Root and tuber crops Post-harvest transport Field and farm transport Transport from the farm Postharvest handling Packing and packaging materials Cardboard and paper Plastic Glass Metal Storage Storage potential Organs of survival Edible reproductive parts Fresh fruits and vegetables Recommended storage temperatures Marketing What is value addition? What is value added agriculture? Need for value addition Market forces for product differentiation and value addition Horticulture as a mean for value addition Value addition as new product development Some of the areas of achievement Choice for value addition Chapter 13: Problem Soil Reclamation Multi Varietal seeds sowing techniques Crop mixture for sowing Under normal soil conditions Under inert / dead soil conditions Methodology Soil management Different methods for soil conservation Problem soils Physical problems Slow permeable soils Management Excessively Permeable Soils Management Sub soil hardening /hard pan Management Surface crusting Management Fluffy paddy soils Shallow soils Saline soils Management of saline soils 1. Crop management 2. Soil/cultural management 3. Fertilizer Management 4. Irrigation management Sodic soils Reclamation of sodic soils Physical Biological Chapter 14: Organic Agriculture and Climate Change The emission reduction potential of Organic Agriculture The sequestration potential of Organic Agriculture Mitigation Adaptation Annexures Annexure 1: Certification Agencies In India Annexure 2: Traditional Crop Varieties Annexure 3: Traditional Livestock Breeds Index