Organic Farming Requires Great Deal of Research to Determine Proper Balance between Crop Production and Pest Control

 

Organic farming is the farming of plants or animals that don't need any chemical pesticides, herbicides or other chemical fertilizers. Many countries are aiming to keep the yield of a crop to the same level as it would have grown naturally without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. In March 2021, Japan’s The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry unveiled a draft of a new strategy to promote environment-friendly approaches in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industries, including a goal of reducing the usage of chemical pesticides by half from the current level by 2050.

In organic farming, there is no use of insecticides, chemical fertilizers or other unnatural pesticides. It relies on the use of natural resources such as manure from animal castings, insects like termites and snails, and natural composts made from plant waste for pest control. Organic farmers grow crops in places without synthetic pesticides or herbicides because they know the risks these chemicals can bring to both the crops and the people who eat them. Organic farmers also avoid using chemical fertilizers and other chemicals that could potentially contaminate water and air. They also try to prevent soil erosion by using conservation tillage, and building raised beds along the edges of the fields.

Organic agriculture requires a great deal of research to determine the proper balance between crop production and pest control and to ensure the health of the environment. Organic agriculture uses biological and chemical methods of pest control, and for crop monitoring, although not as extensively used as the chemical methods. Organic farming is becoming more popular because it is more cost-effective than conventional farming. However, there are many challenges to organic farming, such as elevated costs of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as possible contamination of groundwater by farm chemicals. Organic farmers must also protect their livestock from harmful pesticides and insecticides and follow strict regulations on water runoff from their fields.

Organic farming has become very diverse. Organic farmers can choose to raise all or some animals, while some specialize only in dairy production or focus on poultry or sheep production. Organic farmers have more freedom in choosing for their products, because they do not have to rely on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farmers have to be concerned about animal welfare, because they have to take into account the level of stress animals are exposed to on a daily basis.