Today, the mode of practice of Agriculture is shifting from the conventional mode to the non-conventional mode, science is developing better ways of practicing Agriculture. The non-conventional mode of Agricultural practice (Organic farming) seems to be better in a number of ways. Some say it’s cheaper, some say it’s more hygienic but the fact remains that the non-conventional mode of Agricultural practice (Organic farming) is safer in terms of health effects.
THE DEBATE FOR ORGANIC FARMING
First, it is note-worthy to say that the human body is designed in a way that it can tolerate exposure to chemicals for a while, but when the concentration rises above the threshold, adverse effects become imminent.
According to a recent report, it was gathered that there are three different ways a person can come in contact with chemicals: through Inhalation, Ingestion and through the Skin.
When it comes to Agriculture, there some ways in which chemicals might be used for farming which include use of insecticides to control insects, use of herbicides to control weeds, use of dewormers to control intestinal parasites. Also inorganic chemicals have been reported washed into sources of human drinking water and the results were not palatable.
Some of these insecticides and herbicides might be wrongly used whish may pose danger to human health. This is not to say a risk is posed every time they are used.
Now, due to increased awareness on health and its safety, it has become necessary to look for better ways of practicing Agriculture such that there will be less risks on human health. Thus: the introduction of Organic farming.
WHAT IS ORGANIC FARMING?
Different definitions will try to do justice to this definition, but I would define Organic farming as ‘’ the use of natural methods, techniques, plant and animal products to carry out Agricultural practices in ways totally harmless to man’’
In some form of Organic farming, no chemicals are used, some others use little chemicals such as Ivermectin, sulphur, copper sulphate.
HOW IS ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICED?
Today, instead of using herbicides to control weeds, cover crops can be used, modifying planting time can also be effective,
Manure from human, animal and industrial waste can be converted to compost and used in place of inorganic fertilizers,
In the control of leaf defoliators like caterpillars in vegetable production, extracts from plants like Neem plant have been used over time and have proved very effective,
In animal production, Probiotics have been developed to help control the use of antibiotics due to the resistance of some microbes towards some antibiotics.
The list seem endless as we speak, these are just some of the few examples at our disposal as at the time of writing this article.
Although less than 2% of world farmers have subscribed to Organic farming, those who have done that have nothing to regret.
Some countries have implemented the use of Organic farming, they include:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech republic, Denmark, Macedonia, the United kingdom, Estonia, Ireland, Malta, Luxembourg, Portugal, Sweden, China, Israel, Taiwan, Argentina, Canada, Tunisia, Ghana, Japan and a host of other countries have either totally or partially implemented the use of Organic farming. As of now, close to 50 countries have either totally or partially implemented the use of Organic Farming.
The future looks very bright for Organic farming and it will be a thing of joy when the whole world fully embrace it.
THE DEBATE FOR ORGANIC FARMING
First, it is note-worthy to say that the human body is designed in a way that it can tolerate exposure to chemicals for a while, but when the concentration rises above the threshold, adverse effects become imminent.
According to a recent report, it was gathered that there are three different ways a person can come in contact with chemicals: through Inhalation, Ingestion and through the Skin.
When it comes to Agriculture, there some ways in which chemicals might be used for farming which include use of insecticides to control insects, use of herbicides to control weeds, use of dewormers to control intestinal parasites. Also inorganic chemicals have been reported washed into sources of human drinking water and the results were not palatable.
Some of these insecticides and herbicides might be wrongly used whish may pose danger to human health. This is not to say a risk is posed every time they are used.
Now, due to increased awareness on health and its safety, it has become necessary to look for better ways of practicing Agriculture such that there will be less risks on human health. Thus: the introduction of Organic farming.
WHAT IS ORGANIC FARMING?
Different definitions will try to do justice to this definition, but I would define Organic farming as ‘’ the use of natural methods, techniques, plant and animal products to carry out Agricultural practices in ways totally harmless to man’’
In some form of Organic farming, no chemicals are used, some others use little chemicals such as Ivermectin, sulphur, copper sulphate.
HOW IS ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICED?
Today, instead of using herbicides to control weeds, cover crops can be used, modifying planting time can also be effective,
Manure from human, animal and industrial waste can be converted to compost and used in place of inorganic fertilizers,
In the control of leaf defoliators like caterpillars in vegetable production, extracts from plants like Neem plant have been used over time and have proved very effective,
In animal production, Probiotics have been developed to help control the use of antibiotics due to the resistance of some microbes towards some antibiotics.
The list seem endless as we speak, these are just some of the few examples at our disposal as at the time of writing this article.
Although less than 2% of world farmers have subscribed to Organic farming, those who have done that have nothing to regret.
Some countries have implemented the use of Organic farming, they include:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech republic, Denmark, Macedonia, the United kingdom, Estonia, Ireland, Malta, Luxembourg, Portugal, Sweden, China, Israel, Taiwan, Argentina, Canada, Tunisia, Ghana, Japan and a host of other countries have either totally or partially implemented the use of Organic farming. As of now, close to 50 countries have either totally or partially implemented the use of Organic Farming.
The future looks very bright for Organic farming and it will be a thing of joy when the whole world fully embrace it.
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