Bilal Ahmad Dar
Though with the fast rising population growth rate in Kashmir, the prevalent conventional farming is considered a viable option in order to meet the food requirements, yet it too casts a lot of negative effects not only on the human and animal health but also life of the soil. Since the traditional methods of farming involve usage of high doses of fertilizers and chemicals to have particularly off-season crops and enhance per acre yields, this gravely disrupts the natural cropping mechanism. Ultimately, the produce, which is full of chemicals and pesticides, gets very short shelf life. This unhealthy farming trend has, of court, created room for the organic farming, which is a technique used in farming without the use of any chemicals or synthetics. Through this option, farmers can produce crops which have the highest nutritional values with least impact on nature. Crop rotation, green manure, use of natural fertilizers and biological pest control form the crux of organic farming. Repeated experiments prove that this strategy enhances the fertility of the soil, prevents soil erosion and at the same time protects the humans and animal kingdom from the side-effects of chemicals and synthetics. Many of the farm products, like, vegetables, fruits, herbs, meat, milk, eggs, etc. are produced organically by some farmers. Through this kind of farming, life of the soil can be ensured not only for the current generation, but also for the future generations. A French study reveals that the nutritional quality and micro-nutrients are present in higher quantities in organically produced crops. The micro-nutrients promote good health. Organically grown food tastes better too. The overall cost of cultivating the crops reduces as the farmers use green manure or worm farming to replenish the lost nutrients of the soil. While chemical fertilizers cause the plant to ripen fast. When the crop does not get water it withers and dies, which is not the case with organic crops. The government needs to promote and encourage organic farming in the state in the wake of rising ratio of human as well as animal diseases in addition to declining quality of agriculture lands. However, in order to increase the food quantities, policies should be made to convert more lands cultivable. At the same time, the authorities should devise an effective campaign to create awareness among the farmers as well as stakeholders so that transitional phase from conventional to organic farming gets started.
Organic farming has four principles which includes principle of health, care, fairness and ecology. The first principle which is most important and has its unique characteristics about health of animal, humans, soil and crop. It enhances the health of soil, crop, animals as well as humans. We all know that health is wealth. It also enhances the health of ecosystem and microorganisms in the soil to human beings. The next principle is about care and precautionary measures. Basically, it is a living system that responsible for internal and external demands and conditions .It is stated that precautionary measures and responsibility are the important in technology, management and development choices in organic agriculture. The principle of fairness aims to grow or produce a sufficient supply of quality products. Natural and environmental resources that are used for production and consumption should be managed in a way that is socially and ecologically just and should be held in trust for future generations. It also includes fair systems of production, distribution, and trade that are open and account for social costs and real environment. It reduces inputs by reuse and efficient management of materials and energy is maintained and enhances environmental quality and also conserves resources. It should attain ecological balance through the farming system and maintenance of agriculture diversity.
Conclusion: The benefits of organic farming are uncountable. It increases farmer’s profit. The input costs are low because of recycling of products. Synthetic products increase the chances of diseases in animals and humans. No doubt the yield is low in organic farming but products are safe for all. The soil health is improved by activity of beneficial insects and microorganisms. It saves the farms environment for future generation.
( The author has completed post doctoral research from the School of Business Management, Jaipur National University Jaipur . Views are his own [email protected])
