Question

‘Organic farming is not new to India and has been in use since ancient times. Organic farming mainly means growing crops without the use of synthetic inputs.’

1. Why does organic farming emphasis on shunning the use of synthetic inputs?
2. What is used in place of these inputs?

Answer 1

1. • To protect and rebuild soil health and biological activity rather than disrupt it, organic systems rely on living soil organisms to make nutrients available to plants.
   • To prevent pollution of soil and groundwater and to avoid toxic chemical residues in food and the environment (synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, and feed additives are excluded).
   • To sustain long‑term fertility and agro‑ecosystem health by working with natural cycles (avoiding the short‑term gains but long‑term degradation that can follow heavy synthetic use).
2. • Organic wastes and manures: crop residues, animal dung, farm and off‑farm organic waste (compost made from vegetable/fruit waste, dry leaves, etc.).
   • Biological inputs and techniques: biofertilisers, green manures, and legumes for biological nitrogen fixation.
   • Cultural and mechanical practices: crop rotation, cover crops, residue recyclin,g and other on‑farm agronomic methods to maintain fertility and control pests.
   • Natural/organic pest controls: botanicals (e.g., neem extracts), encouraging natural predators, resistant varieties, and integrated biological methods instead of synthetic pesticides.