Organic agriculture
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| This article is part of the Food theme. Alimentation |
Organic agriculture, or Organic farming is based on the respect of natural local environments and aims at preserving them in a sustainable way while producing healthy food. In 2008 by the World Board of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements issued this official definition[1].
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[edit] Description
In itself, the phrase is pleonastic, natural growth processes being by nature organic. In fact, the phrase has come into usage only recently to mark the opposition with the 20th C. agricultural systems that have recourse to synthetic chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides) in order to increase productivity ; some consider this purely economic logic as dangerous and unsustainable.
Organic agriculture covers a wide range of notions to take into account all the aspects of production ; basically, it hugely modifies the existing economic systems, which is why its progress is slow : different production systems such as (chemical Vs natural), trade systems (short circuit Vs supermarket chains).
Because of its norms, organic agriculture is bound to work on a local scale whereas conventional agriculture works on a global scale, for trading as well as for farmers' intrants (supplies).
[edit] The theory
Basically, the idea of organic agriculture is linked to a notion of system (it's useless to nurture the plant only, the whole system of air-water-soil-plants-animals-wildlife must be managed without strain) and of respect for all the natural ways of living of the various elements (feed a cow with grass, not with concentrated animal by-products).
This is why no, or few, synthetic products are used in organic agriculture, whether it be to fight against pests or blights or to provide nutrients. Some synthetic chemicals such as pheromones can be used in some given cases if other solutions can't be more beneficial for the environment.
[edit] The various trends in organic agriculture
[edit] Permaculture
Permaculture is a sustainable agricultural production system, quite energy-efficient (in terms of fuel consumption as well as manual or mechanic labour) and definitely respectful of living beings and ecological communities. See Permaculture.
[edit] Biodynamic agriculture
Biodynamic agriculture dates back from the 1920's. It originates from the work of Rudolf Steiner. It takes into account the relations between natural elements and is based on the following principles :
- Recycling all the organic products in the soil thanks to farming techniques, using all the manure and wastes.
- Composting : all organic matter is transformed thanks to preparations containing medicinal plants (milfoil, camomile, oak tree bark, dandelion or valerian) which provide nutritious manure to the soil. Slow melting minerals can also be added : rock powder, limestone...
- Growing vegetal products that are adapted to the local area and rotating crops (for a good equilibrium between fodder, green manure and vegetables).
- Stimulating landlife using infinitesimal quantities of dynamic preparations that will heal the soil.
- Respecting subtle processes and interactions between different biotopes, taking account of vegetal and animal life (associated plants...) and of the environment in the broadest sense of the word. The position of the Sun, of the Moon and of the other planets are key factors.
- Preserving cultures thanks to autoregulation, crop rotation, soilwork and other dynamic actions when need be.
- Maintaining or managing the landscape to preserve biodiversity in the area : trees, hedges, wetlands, alfalfa, forest edges....
- Raising cattle that are adapted to the land and to the climate to preserve diversity (the number of animals and the choice of species depend on the surface and the nature of the land).
The Demeter label is a guarantee the products are issued from biodynamic agriculture. In 2004, 2700 farms amounting to 23 000 square acres were dedicated to biodynamic agriculture in the world. Learn more at Biodynamic agriculture.
[edit] Natural agriculture
Natural agriculture is a sustainable agricultural technique (developed by Masanobu Fukuoka) that requires very little energy (whether it be manual, mechanic work or fuel) and is respectful of living being and ecological communities. The yields are quite comparable to those of mechanic farming (as shown by this comparative study[2]).
It is based on 4 main principles (no ploughing, no pesticides, no chemicals and no weeding), as explained in Natural agriculture.
[edit] Conservation agriculture
[edit] The basic principles
In traditional organic agriculture
[edit] Nurture the soil, not the vegetables
[edit] Soil work
- No tilling, but surface aeration : tilling implies bringing underground micro-organisms to the surface, and so, killing them (limy land can be slightly hoed and aerated).
- Compost manure instead of composting it.
- Never let the soil bare : cover it with green nutrients or fresh compost before winter.
N.B. : green nutrients such as mustard, vicia or rye must be mown, then let to rot on the surface before being turned over. They bring humus. Beans and peas can be used as nutrients : spread the leaves on the surface and let the roots in place to supply the soil with nitrogen.
[edit] Crop rotation and association of plants or flowers
- Mind plant and vegetable families and their respective needs ;
- Some require more compost :
- Tomatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, for instance
- Roots and bulbs need less
- Peas and other legumes still less
- Tomatoes can be grown on the same patch
- Never plant patatoes after tomatoes
- Some require more compost :
- A fair knowledge of plant associations is needed ;
[edit] Work with the moon and mind several factors
See Moon cycles and Biodynamics.
[edit] Use plants as nutrients
- Nettle fertilizer
- Russian Comfrey : it'll bring potash to potatoes and valuable vitamins to rabbits and hens.
- Rhubarb
- Slug fertilizer (diluted in water)
[edit] Organic means to fight against insects or pests
- To protect seedlings from slugs :
- Fill a cup with ale to attract slugs and also useful insects!
- Put a row of marigolds to attract slugs
- Make a barrier against slugs with sawdust, ash or Rhine sand, ect.
- Spread a light slug dilution
- Bordeaux mixture is allowed
- Fresh compost (deprived of mollusk eggs, of germs or of spores) is preferable to keep off slugs and snails that have a taste for sprouts and will also prevent moisture.
- "Trap" harmful insects and limit their impact :
- green glass bottles (so as not to trap bees) filled with water and sugar or honey
- glue tape strips impregnated with pheromones
Mind you don't trap useful insects (pollinators)!
Beware of anti-slug grains that are not organic : they harm the soil and mustn't be put in contact with it.
- Protect a potato field from Colorado beetles : plant ricin around it (careful, it's toxic for pets), you can also put repulsive plants such as flax or hemp .
- Avoid monocultures and rely on the benefits of plant associations, e.g. :
- Some plants are true tools for the gardener :
- The fragrance of Lamiaceae (plants belonging to the mint family : lavender, sage, rosemary, mint) has a repulsive effect on insects.
- Other plants act as insecticides : derris (rotenone), some chrysanthemums (pyrethrins) : yet be cautious as they are also harmful to bees and butterflies and even to man.
- Others still can attract and trap aphids.
- Another option is using black soap (Marseille soap or soft soap).
- Soap cleans the leaves after infestation, it takes away the fumagillin (fungus, black soot) that forms because of the honeydew left by greenflies or scale insects for instance.
- Soap is also a "natural insecticide" that stops parasites.
- Spray, let sit for a while, then you may clean the leaves with a wet sponge (especially for house plants).
- Remember to apply the treatment immediately before watering the soil, soap can sometimes slightly burn the leaves.
- This can be repeated every 3 weeks.
- In any case, we must realize that if a plant becomes victim of parasites or fungus, it means it is already weak (because of lack of nutrition or a wrong place). Just as with humans, healthy food keeps away diseases, the same is true with plants.
[edit] Plant associations
[edit] Legislation
[edit] European rules and regulations
In Europe, the first regulations for organic agriculture came into effect in 1992 (rule n° 2092/91) ; in 1999 it was followed by regulations concerning production, labelling and inspection of breeding farms (rule n° 1804/1999). In 2004, the European Commission launched a plan for action to develop methods of organic farming. The basic rules are a total ban on chemical fertilizers and pesticides or on synthetic weed killers. The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is also strictly forbidden. Organic products are sold under protected brands and labels on the European level.
It's important to highlight the fact that these regulations give a guaranty as to the means of production but not as to the products' quality in itself. However, the rate of pesticides, the weight of of dry matter or the amount of micronutrients clearly point to a better phytosanitary quality as a rule, not to mention tastiness, even though no studies have been led on that aspect.
Organic agriculture has been legally protected in the UK since 1973 and the Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS) regulates the production in accordance with the European legislation.
[edit] See also
[edit] Internal links
[edit] External links
- IFOAM : International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
- In Europe : Organic Farming, the European Commission
- Short circuit : The Short Circuit Foundation
- Demeter : biodynamic agriculture
- UK standards
[edit] Bibliography
- Tomorrow's Table by Pamela C. Ronald ; ISBN 9780195301755
- Going Organic: Mobilising Networks for Environmentally Responsible Food Production by S Lockie, K Lyons, G Lawrence and D Halpin ; ISBN 9781845931322
- Sustainable food production and ethics by Werner Zollitsch, Christoph Winkler, Susanne Waiblinger and Alexander Haslberger ; ISBN 978-9086860463
- Silent Spring by Rachel Carson ; ISBN 0618249060
[edit] References
- ↑ http://www.ifoam.org/growing_organic/definitions/doa/index.html
- ↑ http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=1964683
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