Today’s modern conventional farming is heavily dependent on synthetic chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farming is a method of crop production that has been in utilization since the early history of agriculture. “Natural farming” appeared as a relatively new term however its principles are similar to those in organic farming. It was proposed by Mokichi Okada, a Japanese philosopher, more than 60 years ago, when chemical agriculture began (Xu 2001).
Definition of natural farming
Natural farming is a style of agriculture that uses processes that seek to harness the power of nature, farm in harmony with rhythm of seasons in order to grow plants (Kimura 2014).
Natural farming is not a widely researched field however there is a number of famous advocates such as Mr Masanobu Fukuoka (1978), Mr Akinori Kimura (2010) and Mr Subash Palekar.
In general, natural farming follows 4 general principles proposed by Fukuoka (1978) in his book: One straw revolution.
(a) No cultivation, that is no plowing or tilling
(b) No chemical fertilizer or compost
(c) No weeding by tilling or herbicides
(d) No dependence on chemicals of any kind
The four general principles of natural farming overlaps with definitions of sustainable agriculture (Harwood 1990): Sustainable agriculture is a system that can evolve indefinitely towards greater human utility, greater efficiency of resource use and a balance with environment which is favorable to human and most other species. In fact Fukuoka’s book title: One straw revolution was born from the idea of recycling straw and husk from rice back into rice fields postharvest hence recycling biomass of system.
History of topic and examples of implementation in horticultural system
There are several t...
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...ility of natural farming. A total redesign of how our food should be grown is required and new technology is required. It seems like a herculean task but I like to remind myself that people has been manufacturing tools since beginning of civilization but it takes one Ransom Olds to think of the assembly line to revolutionize manufacturing processes.
In conclusion I feel natural farming could play a major role in sustainable horticulture. It fits perfectly in the people, planet and profit philosophy. Natural farming focus is to farm in harmony with nature, producing food that is safe and healthy for all to eat and with lower overhead cost, generates a nice profit for the farmers. Although many challenges stand in the way of implementation of natural farming in the large scale, however I believe they can be overcome by investment, research and ingenuity of farmers.
After reading McKibben and Hurst’s articles in the book Food Matters, both authors present arguments on “industrial farming”, and although Hurst provides a realistic sense on farming, McKibben’s suggestions should be what we think about.
Animal and plant husbandry due to human growth has transformed into factories that pump out foodstuffs in higher quantities than imaginable centuries in the past. This is done through the use of monocultures, which produce one single crop in high quantities, and factory farming, compact animal lots that grow the animal as quickly as possible for slaughter. The shift to monoculture farming and factory farming was due to the rapid increase in population and advancements in farming technology, for example pesticides. In recent years the focus has shifted to escaping factory farming through organic farming. Organic farming produces foodstuffs without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or any other artificial factors. Organic farming focuses on natural development of organisms. Author Michael Pollan in his essay “The Animals: Practicing Complexity” describes his time at an organic farm and describes Polyface Farm as profitable, efficient, cheap,
The Old Order Amish and Wes Jackson’s natural systems both reflect the ideas of sustainability. Both alternatives rely on diversity that provide them with many advantages. It reduces the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides because the wide variety of plants provide different benefits to help other plants. Plant diversity and manure from farm animals allows the farm to “rely…on local inputs to maintain necessary relationships and dynamics” (189). The farms the Amish and Jackson talk about are small and would allow for animals to live on the farm and benefit from it, whether it be harnessing their power for work or providing habitat. Both alternatives also rely less on machinery and more on human labor, shifting from nonrenewable
6. "Organic Farming." US Environmental Protection Agency. 29 July 2009. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. .
Today’s economy and the environment are hurting due to the lack of nurture we have been providing. Conventional farming rules the world of agriculture, but not without a fight from organic farming. Organic farming is seen as the way of farming that might potentially nurture our nature back to health along with the added benefit of improving our own health. With her piece “Organic farming healthier, more efficient than Status Quo,” published in the Kansas State Collegian on September 3, 2013, writer Anurag Muthyam brings forth the importance behind organic farming methods. Muthyam is a senior at Kansas State University working towards a degree in Management. This piece paints the picture of how organic farming methods
As Biello deliberates in his essay, “Will Organic Food Fail to Feed the World”, organic farming is difficult to practice, while applying conventional farming will fit more seamlessly in third world countries. “Organic farming”, he notes, “is a
“And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So God made a farmer.” Agriculture has provided food for the U.S. for hundreds of years and at one time was one of America's main industries. When someone hears the term farm or farmer, they think of all kinds of livestock , crops and a tractor. But, that is not what the term farm or farmer really means in today's world of grain, hog, cattle, sheep, chicken, horse , and many other types of farms. Rarely do you find what most people think of a farm.
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between organic and non organic food? Some may say there aren’t any differences in the food itself, but the real difference lies in the means of producing the food. The controversy here is the environmental effects of different farming methods. Some believe that organic farming methods are better than conventional farming methods and some believe the opposite. There are many factors to determine which method is better but we are here to investigate the environmental aspect of the question. In short organic farming is a method of farming where the techniques used are less damaging to the environment by not using synthetic chemical fertilizers and herbicides and limiting the amount of pesticides. Conventional farming is the method of farming that uses synthetic fertilizers pesticides and herbicides to ensure the production of higher yield crops. Conventional farmers often use genetic mutated seeds to cut the cost of chemical pesticides and increase the size of the fruit to be harvested. There are many pros and cons to both sides of this issue but after researching I will say that I believe that organic farming is definitely the way to go. Not only is it better for your own personal health through the consumption of the products derived from the methods used, it is also less damaging to the environment in many ways.
As we stroll the aisles of our local supermarkets we see all kinds of food products, but does it ever occur to you how fresh or natural these products maybe. Organic farming prohibits any use of artificial chemicals, growth hormones, or antibiotics in the production of its crops and livestock. Organic farming has existed for centuries, but after the industrial revolution factory farming was arising. Organic farming does not allow the use of any pesticides in its crops or livestock production, but also helps sustain a good economic flow in rural communities. Although there are many benefits of organic farming, there is a lack of credibility some farmers provide within the distribution of their products and some argue that there’s no difference
The twentieth century brought significant changes to our planet. Humanity increasingly relies on fossil fuels and chemicals to grow what nourishes us: our food. At the same time, the world has become an urbanized place. More than half of the world’s people now live in urban areas (UNFPA, 2007). We have become disconnected from nature and natural processes. However, there is a new awareness of how to live in balance with the earth cropping up across the globe. Sustainability has become a way of life. There are now many organizations dedicated to promoting sustainable practises. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is one of these organizations.
“Sustainable agriculture involves food production methods that are healthy, do not harm the environment, respect workers, are humane to animals, provide fair wages to farmers, and support farming communities” (Table, 2009). Local farming methods do not always use sustainable methods. Researching about the methods local farmers use is important in the decision to buy locally.
For years organic farmers and conventional farmers have feuded over which is superior. Organic farmers argue that their product is more eco-friendly because they do not use the synthetic chemicals and fertilizers conventional farmer’s use. Conventional farmers argue that their product is healthier and yields more. People tend to have stereotypes regarding the two types of farmers. Organic farmers are usually thought of as liberal, hippy, tree-huggers while conventional farmers are usually thought of as right-wing, industrialists. Obviously, some do adhere to this stereotype, but a majority of these farmers are normal, hardworking people. Although these farmers, both believe in their methods, one is no better than the other. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but there is no true superior method of crop farming.
Agriculture is one of the most ancient forms of art and science that ties human development and well-being to natural resources and ecosystems. (Fritz J. Häni, 2007) Sustainable Agriculture is the production of food, fibre, plant and animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities and animal welfare. (Sustainable Agriculture - The Basics, 2015) Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site – specific application that over the long term will:
As agriculture has become more intensive, farmers have become capable of producing higher yields using less labour and less land. Growth of the agriculture has not, however, been an unmixed blessing. It, like every other thing, has its pros and cons. Topsoil depletion, groundwater contamination, the decline of family farms, continued neglect of the living and working conditions for farm labourers, increasing costs of production, and the disintegration of economic and social conditions in rural communities. These are the cons of the new improved agriculture.
Farming has evolved from providing food only for your family to providing food for your whole community. This aspect really kicked off in Europe during the middle ages when a new crop rotation plan emerged. Crop rotation is necessary. If every year the same crop is grown on the same soil the plants will keep taking the same nutrients needed for its survival. Previously the farmers used the Roman system, which is a two crop rotation. With this system the soil never had a break, there was always a crop being grown (“Feeding” par. 8). The new crop rotation plan was a three crop rotation. This system is very different from the Roman system. Every third year the field will lay fallow being used for pasture. When the field is used for pasture, the animals waste is spread out all over the field while they graze...