Organic farming is the use of agricultural production systems that depend on green manure, compost, biological pest control, and crop rotation. It aims to produce healthier plants, animals and poultry free of chemicals.
Organic-based agricultural production systems encourage the resource cycle to preserve biodiversity and promote ecological balance. The use of green manure, cover crops, animal manure and ground cover crops to disrupt pests and diseases, so as to increase soil fertility, and maximize the biological activity of the soil become a major aspect of organic farming.
In other words, in organic agriculture the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, herbicides, or pesticides is not used at all. Thus, the aim of organic farming is to produce fiber, grains, vegetables, flowers, fruits, food, and animal products in agriculture, such as milk, eggs, and meat in the best natural way.
Unlike other agricultural practices, organic farming has better performance in terms of water and soil conservation, maintaining ecological balance, and utilizing renewable resources. Conversely, this concept also has its drawbacks. The following advantages and disadvantages of organic farming, including:
The Advantages of Organic Agriculture
- High nutritional value
Products produced from organic farming contain very high nutritional content because they do not contain modified ingredients. Compared to conventional agricultural food products. Another factor that makes the products produced very nutritious is because plants are given sufficient time to develop and get the best natural conditions in the growth process.
The vitamin and mineral content of organic food products is always high because soil health conditions offer a mechanism that is very suitable for plants to access soil nutrients. Plus, healthier food means that it can support better health for people’s lives.
- Taste quality
Apart from nutrition, the structure of minerals and sugars in organic foods is much better because plants are given more time to develop and are finally ready for harvest. The use of natural and environmentally friendly agricultural production techniques is the reason for better taste in organic food products. It is generally reported that the taste of organic vegetables and fruits is of higher quality compared to those grown conventionally.
- Able to improve health
Products from organic farming offer the safest products to consume compared to other food products on the market. The product has a high nutrient content but minimal chemical content also does not contain modified ingredients. So it is healthier for the body and minimizes the risk of diseases such as infertility, cancer, to immune deficiency.
- Environmental resilience
Achieving environmental sustainability is the dream of every nation in the world. This can partly be achieved by implementing organic agriculture. Research reveals that organic farming can provide impressive mechanisms for promoting ecological harmony, biodiversity, and an environmentally sustainable biological cycle.
For example, the main purpose of organic agriculture is to manage and conserve soil, promote the nutritional cycle, ecological balance, and biodiversity conservation. In addition, organic farming production methods are also far more energy efficient compared to traditional agriculture. The use of natural methods as a substitute for chemicals also saves the world’s water sources and soil from contamination and pollution.
- Food security
Demand for food supplies is always disproportionate. That is because the effects of climate change and poor agricultural practices are causing crop yields to be bad. This condition can trigger a shortage of food supplies that can cause food insecurity problems.
A recent study in Science-Digest states that the concept of organic farming can intensify crop production especially in poor countries. Where input for conventional agriculture is very expensive, so the concept of organic farming can contribute to increasing food security.
This is due to the fact that plants grown organically are far more resistant to pests and diseases, and more tolerant of drought. Compared to conventional agricultural products.
- Toxic free organic products
In the process of tillage until the planting process, organic farming does not depend on chemicals to repel pests and diseases or fertilize plants. All processes are done naturally, so that it will not harm consumers.
Aspects such as the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and artificial growth hormones begin to decrease even if they are not used at all because everything is done organically. For this reason, food products from organic farming are free from chemical contamination that can endanger health.
- Lower production costs
In organic farming it almost does not involve the use of expensive agrochemicals. In addition, organic plants also have better resistance to pests and diseases. When it is combined together, it will greatly save the cost of using fungicides, pesticides, and insecticides which are quite expensive. Instead of using chemical fertilizers, organic farming relies more on compost fertilizers for more affordable costs.
Lack of Organic Agriculture
- Reduced productivity in the long run
The goal of contemporary world agricultural production is superior productivity. While organic agriculture promises to increase and healthier production, it only benefits in the short term. Because, large inputs such as machinery and chemicals are not visible.
Conversely, in the long run, productivity gains will diminish. Because soil health and fertility decline over time in the concept of organic farming, so too is the result and this happens when the soil reaches a point where it can no longer turn existing topsoil into soil fertility.
As a result, productivity began to decrease and farmers were forced to increase it by adding chemical inputs. It takes time for the soil to regenerate and recover after the growing season in organic farming. Therefore, when land is used for a longer period of time, it cannot produce enough products that can support the living needs of the world’s population.
- Take longer
It takes commitment and patience, because to grow organic plants effectively requires a heavy struggle. In organic farming requires high interaction between a farmer and his crops or livestock. From the start of treatment of plants or livestock to be free of pests organically and in the process it is quite time consuming.
Farmers must spend most of their time carefully managing their crops and livestock to get the best results. In contrast to conventional agriculture which is shorter with abundant yields.
- Need Skills
More skills are needed to farm organically than conventional farming which relies on chemicals. This is closely related to the fact that the definitive aspect of organic farming maintains the use of natural inputs and careful observation of the production process. Thus, only those who have the skills are able to successfully develop organic farming successfully.
- Lack of subsidies for farmers
Unlike conventional farmers, farmers who are involved in organic farming are almost certainly not getting adequate subsidies. This makes organic farmers more vulnerable, especially in financial terms, especially when there is bad weather which can make the entire harvest fail.
- Many organic farmers still use organic pesticides and fungicides
Some organic farmers may still use pesticides and fungicides that are approved for organic production. Although these substances are derived from natural ingredients, they still have the potential to endanger health and the environment at large. Moreover, because of the natural label, so its use sometimes exceeds the capacity allowed. So that the side effects also become large.
