Chapter 2. Organic Farming as a Potential Approach for Sustainable Agriculture

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Sukanta Rana¹ and Jatindra N. Bhakta²
¹Department of Zoology, Raniganj Girls’ College, Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, India
²Laboratory of Environmental and Bioresource Technology, Department of Ecological Studies and International Centre for Ecological Engineering, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, India

Part of the book: Research Advancements in Organic Farming

Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.52305/IKOK0802

Abstract

Organic farming is a chemical-less and ecosystem based agriculture practice that ensures the development of a nation in a holistic way. Organic sources of persistent nutrient supply and nutrient recycling are the driving forces for sustainable production in agriculture. Besides, it conserves soil, water and biodiversity and provides safety food and secures human health. It prevents climate change and stabilizes crop yield throughout the year. Crop yield is satisfactory (70-98% of conventional practices) and farmers are profited by 33-59%. Organic products have a great demand in global market and have a very high price premium (5-244% higher compared to chemical products) due to limited supply. Organic farming is the best practice for healthy ecosystem services. Several technologies must be integrated with the organic farming to reduce labour and product cost. Various advanced technologies have been developed by the researchers to produce the organic fertilizer and nutrients for sustainable agriculture and organic products in recent years. In this field, a comprehensive information is insufficient so far. The present chapter has focused to briefly discuss the significance of organic farming for sustainable agriculture.

 Keywords: organic farming, biodiversity conservation, safety and healthy food, high profit, sustainable development


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