Organic farming overview in Australia Assignment

Organic farming overview in Australia - Assignment Example The second set of methods to control weeds, pests and diseases include crop rotation; use of natural pesticides; careful crop choice and planning; increase of genetic diversity; use of resistant crops; engage good cultivation practices; and encourage important pest-eating predators. Lastly, organic farming also entails good animal husbandry and the careful use of water resources (Rigby & Caceres, 2001). Organic farming provides long-term benefits to the environment and people, which represents the main aim of engaging in organic farming. The first aim is increasing soil fertility in the long-term, and the use of organic materials helps strengthen the potential of the soil. Second, organic farming helps control both diseases and pests without causing harm to the environment, while third, organic farming ensures that the water used remains safe and clean for consumption (Rigby & Caceres, 2001). ... The essence is that organic farming has several benefits, especially in terms of reduced costs (Rigby & Caceres, 2001). Organic farmers strive to do their best to produce food from the environment using systems that are close to those that naturally exist, and work on the premise of a closed agricultural circuit. For instance, soil fertility that results from manure use and the soil formation of the said organic matter plays the role of a fertilisation agent by reducing the loss of nutrients and water, and lessening erosion (Taus, Ogneva-Himmelberger & Rogan, 2013). Furthermore, farm inputs such as fodder and manure should in principle be produced within the farm or the neighbouring ones so that the need for external inputs is reduced. In essence, the use of hand works as opposed to mechanisation has reduced environmental effects, for instance the practice of mechanical control of weeds as opposed to the use of herbicides (Taus, Ogneva-Himmelberger & Rogan, 2013). Organic farming gre atly contributes to sustainable development, coupled with increased economic activities with some important added value. Scientific papers have been written the world over concerning organic farming, and the statistics they provide show an increased volume of global sales of organic food and drink. Research reveals there was a 43% increase, equivalent to USD25.5 billion, between 2002 and 2005 (Taus, Ogneva-Himmelberger & Rogan, 2013). Despite the fact that organic farming is practised in a number of countries, studies show that uptake is concentrated in North America and Europe, and they also stand out as areas with greater supply and demand. According to the World of Organic