Why should we opt organic farming?

Milan Jyoti Konwar

Rising health care costs, unemployment, an economy struggling to recover from the ongoing recession, environmental degradation and the need to address climate change are among the most serious problems facing the world today. Organic farming is comprised of an integrated suite of practices that provide these benefits in addition to producing food, fiber and feed. Studies conducted over the past decade have called for the agricultural industry to be responsive to changing climate and environmental conditions. Hence, there is an increasing need for substituting the intensive cultivation practices with various environment friendly options. Organic farming is one of the eco- friendly options.

What is organic farming and why is it important? Organic farming is agriculture that makes healthy food, healthy soils, healthy plants and healthy environments a priority along with crop productivity. Organic farmers use biological fertilizer inputs and magement practices such as cover cropping and crop rotation to improve soil quality and build soil organic matter. B increasing the amount of organic matter in the soil, as ture does on a forest floor; organic farmers enhance the soil's ability to absorb water, reducing the impacts of droughts and flooding. Improving soil organic matter also helps it to absorb and store carbon and other nutrients needed to grow healthy crops which, in turn. are better able to resist insects and diseases.

Who Benefits from Organic Farming?

The benefits of organic farming are widespread and important to multiple sectors of society. Organic foods can help protect what's most valuable to people - their health, rating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals is a solid investment in preventative care. Preventing disease is much more cost efficient than treating disease. Organic foods can play an important role in keeping people healthy. In addition to the health benefits, the organic industry is important in many other ways. For investors, the organic agricultural sector is one of the few sectors with consistent growth over the last decade. During the current economic downturn, the growth of the organic industry has outpaced the food industry, as a whole. Organic products are increasingly important to consumers ho are committed to reducing their carbon footprints and their impacts on the environment. More and more people are making their purchasing decisions based, at least partially, on environmental considerations. For families, organic products are important in protecting and enhancing the health of their children. Young bodies in particular are more susceptible to the impacts of pesticides, fungicides and other synthetic chemicals used in non- organically grown fruits and vegetables. So many parents are willing to pay a premium for organic products that the term "gatekeeper moms" has become part of the industry lexicon. For educators, the many economic, health and environmental benefits of organic farming offer opportunities to integrate organic farming practices into their agricultural programs to attract students. Demand for organic foods and materials such as cotton for clothing is strong and projected to increase in the near term. It is imperative that future farmers be trained in organic practices.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

It's time the many benefits of organic agriculture are acknowledged by more members of the public, law- makers, businesses, and all aspects of society. A new unified policy to support organic farmers and the organic food industry is needed. Over the past decade, modest public resources have been directed toward organic farming to fund research and data collection, offset small percentages of certification costs, enforce organic standards and ensure fair access to conservation programs for farmers. The resources allocated to date, however, are a small fraction of the investment needed to realize organic farming's tremendous potential.

Organic Farming Systems Benefit the Environment, Human Health, and tiol Prosperity

Organic farming provides numerous benefits for people and the planet. Although findings show that more money needs to he allocated for organic research, here's what we do know:

ORGANIC FARMING IMPROVES SOIL AND WATER AND QUALITY.

•    Organic farming builds soil organic matter

•    Organic farming reduces nitrate leaching into waterways

•     Organic farming contributes to better water quality

•    Organic farming increases the ability of soil to hold water for crop use

    ORGANIC FARMING ENHANCES BIODIVERSITY AND POLLITOR HEALTH

•    Organic farming enhances pollitor populations.

•    Organic Farming Enhances Bird and Beneficial Spider Populations

•    Organic Farming Enhances tural Enemy Populations

ORGANIC FARMING SEQUESTERS MORE CARBON, SLOWING CLIMATE CHANGE

•    Organic farming stores carbon

•    Organic farming can reduce total greenhouse gas emissions

•    Organic farming has lower energy use

ORGANIC FARMING REDUCIS TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURE

•    Lower Pesticide Residues Found in Organic Foods

•    Organic Farming Reduces Pesticide Exposure to Farm Workers and Their Families

•    Organic Food is More Nutritious Than Non-Organic Food

Hence, organic farming practices are required for Health and Prosperity. The increase of organic farmers and acreage, through low- or no-cost changes to the current agricultural system outlined above, will support a thriving economy, people and planet.