Unit-I.-INTRODUCTION-TO-OA.pdf

INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIC AGRICULTURE (AGRI_40) Ashley King L. Alviar Mariano Marcos State University College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development DAS - Faculty  Vision...

INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIC AGRICULTURE (AGRI_40) Ashley King L. Alviar Mariano Marcos State University College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development DAS - Faculty  Vision A Premier Philippine University by 2028 Mission To develop virtuous human capital and sustainable innovations in a knowledge – driven global economy. College Goals An excellent college of agriculture, agribusiness, food science and technology, forestry, environmental science, development communication, and rural development for inclusivity and sustainability. College Objectives ▪ To produce professional, job-market competitive graduates through ethically- innovative learning and student-support systems; ▪ To advance socially-acceptable and culturally-compatible knowledge and economically-viable technologies via interdisciplinary research; and ▪ To empower development partners by synergizing community engagements.  UNIT ONE: Introduction to Organic Agriculture History of Organic Organic Agriculture Agriculture vs. Sustainable Agriculture Definition of Principles of Organic Organic Agriculture Agriculture 3 4 History of Organic Agriculture Sir Albert Howard (1873 – 1947) - England - Studied at Cambridge University - Father of Organic Agriculture - 1899-1902, he is one of the mycologists in Imperial Department of Agriculture for the west Indies - He teach Agricultural science at Southeastern Agriculture College - 1905, he observed the methods of cultivation adopted by local farmer and peasants - Learn and promoting composting methods that return nutrients to the soil - India for 26 years, director of Agricultural Research Centers - 1940, created a book “An Agricultural testament” and published in 5 US 1943 History of Organic Agriculture Lord Walter Northbourne (1986 – 1982) - Walter Ernest Christopher James, the 4th Baron of North Bourn of Kent England - Studied at University of Oxford - Agriculturists (Agronomist), Educator, Translator and writer in both Agriculture and Comparative Religion - 1940, he wrote a book “Look to the Land” quote/unquote organic farming to the world as well as the concepts to managing a farm. - He introduce the word “organic farming” 6 History of Organic Agriculture Lady Eve Balfour (1899 – 1990) - English farmer, Educator, Organic pioneer and founding figures in the organic movement - 1st women studied Agriculture at English University, graduating from the University of Reading - Her ideas inspired the formation of the Soil Association in England with other farmers scientists and nutritionists - 1920, began farming at Holly Greene Suffolk England - 1939, she launched the “Holly experiment” 1st long term, side-by-side scientific comparison of organic and chemical based farming - 1943, published the organic classics The Living Soils. A book combining research and initial findings at Holly - 1946, co-founded and 1st President of the Soil Association an International Organization promoting sustainable agriculture that still exists today 7 History of Organic Agriculture Jerome Irving Rodale (1898 – 1971) - Playwriter, Editor, Author, Publisher and American Businessman - He advocated a return to sustainable agriculture & organic farming in the US - Founded a publishing Empire with several magazines and many books on health and wellness - 1942, published Organic Farming and Gardening magazines - 1945, “pay dirt” with an introduction by Howard introduced Organic farming concepts to a wide audience to increase interest in organic gardening and farming in the US. - Popularized “organic” that grown without any pesticides applied 8 History of Organic Agriculture Franklin Hiram King (1848 – 1911) - Author of Farmers of Forty Centuries - 1848, he was born on a farm near Whitewater Wisconsin - 3 years as Science Teacher in Berlin Wisconsin - He published his 1st book “A Scheme for Plant Analysis” in 1876 - Cornell University, studied for 2 years, studied bird or what they ate, also studied chemistry and physics - 1888, he was called as the chair of the Agriculture Physics at University of Wisconsin - He published “Drainage Ventilation of Buildings”, developed the cylindrical silo and the physics in agriculture - 1901–1904, he was the chair of division of Soil Management with the USDA. 9 History of Organic Agriculture Rudolph Steiner (1861 – 1925) - During last decades on the 19th century, became respected and well published scientific literary and philosophy scholar - His work on golf scientific writings - He began develop his earlier philosophical principles into an approach to methodological research of psychological and spiritual phenomena - His multifaceted genius has led to innovation and holistic approach es in medicine, science, education - He’s the founder of Waldorf School, special education, philosophy, religion, economics, and agriculture - He’s the founder of Biodynamic Agriculture - Early 1920’s, series of lecture on the spiritual foundations for the renewal of agriculture which inspired the development of biodynamic agriculture 10 History of Organic Agriculture Dr. William Albrecht (1888 – 1974) - Foremost authority on the relation of soil fertility and to human health - He earned 4 degrees from the University of Illinois - He went on to be Emeritus professor of soil at the University of Missouri - He saw the direct link between soil quality and food quality - He developed the base level requirements for soil nutrients and still being use 11  UNIT ONE: Introduction to Organic Agriculture History of Organic Organic Agriculture Agriculture vs. Sustainable Agriculture Definition of Principles of Organic Organic Agriculture Agriculture 12 Definition of Organic Agriculture “Organic Agriculture is holistic production management system which promotes and enhances Agro-ecosystems health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activities” -FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, 1999 “Organic Agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems, and people. It relies on ecological process, biodiversity, and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefits the shared environment and promote fair relationship and good quality of life for all involved” -IFOAM General Assembly, 2008 THE PRIMARY GOAL OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IS TO OPTIMIZE THE HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF INTERDEPENDENT COMMUNITIES OF SOIL LIFE, PLANTS, ANIMALS AND 13 PEOPLE. Aims of Organic Agriculture To maintain long-term fertility of the soil To reduce the input cost To effectively utilize the natural resources To avoid all forms of pollution caused by agricultural techniques To provide quality foodstuff 14  UNIT ONE: Introduction to Organic Agriculture History of Organic Organic Agriculture Agriculture vs. Sustainable Agriculture Definition of Principles of Organic Organic Agriculture Agriculture 15 Organic Agriculture vs. Sustainable Agriculture Organic Agriculture PROHIBITS the use of synthetic inputs wherein Sustainable Agriculture Does Not Sustainability aims to balance between what is taken out of the soil with what is return to it, without relying on outside inputs. This is not necessarily a concern of organic farming Organic agriculture constitute only a small percent of farms with a minor impact on the environment. Sustainable agriculture aims to make positive changes on all farms In the future, large organic farms hat rely on machinery and automation, and purchased inputs, will have similar sustainability issues that large conventional farms nowadays 16  Organic Agriculture and Sustainable Agriculture Advantages Disadvantages - No chemicals additive - Expensive food items - Does not use GM food - High product cost items - Rarely subsidized farming - Healthy food method - Use natural fertilizer - Insufficient knowledge and - Eco-friendly method of skills cultivation - Crop susceptible to illness - Low yield https://rb.gy/02rpzf 17 https://rb.gy/av20ds  UNIT ONE: Introduction to Organic Agriculture History of Organic Organic Agriculture Agriculture vs. Sustainable Agriculture Definition of Principles of Organic Organic Agriculture Agriculture 18 Principles of Organic Agriculture Health Fairness Ecology Care 19 Principles of Health - Wholeness and integrity of living systems. Physical, Mental, Social and Ecological well-being - The role of organic agriculture, whether in Farming, Processing, Distribution, or Consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings - Organic agriculture is intended to produce high quality, nutritious food that contributes to preventive health care and well-being. In view of this, it should avoid the use of fertilizers, pesticides, animal drugs and food additives that may have adverse health effects. KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF HEALTH Immunity Resilience Regeneration 20 Principles of Fairness - Characterized by Equity, Respect, Justice and Stewardship of the shared world, both among people and in their relations to other living organisms - Should conduct human relationships in a manner that ensures fairness at all levels and to all parties - farmers, workers, processors, distributors, traders and consumers. Organic agriculture should provide everyone involved with a good quality of life and contribute to food sovereignty and reduction of poverty. It aims to produce a sufficient supply of good quality food and other products - Insists that animals should be provided with the conditions and opportunities of life that accord with their physiology, natural behavior and well-being 21 Principle of Ecology - Nourishment and well-being are achieved through the ecology of the specific production environment. For example, in the case of crops this is the living soil; for animals it is the farm ecosystem; for fish and marine organisms, the aquatic environment - Should attain ecological balance through the design of farming systems, establishment of habitats and maintenance of genetic and agricultural diversity. Those who produce, process, trade, or consume organic products should protect and benefit the common environment including landscapes, climate, habitats, biodiversity, air and water - Organic farming, pastoral and wild harvest systems should fit the cycles and ecological balances in nature. These cycles are universal, but their operation is site-specific. Organic management must be adapted to local conditions, ecology, culture and scale. Inputs should be reduced by reuse, recycling and efficient management of materials and energy to maintain and improve environmental quality and conserve resources 22 Principle of Care - This principle states that precaution and responsibility are the key concerns in management, development and technology choices in organic agriculture - Practitioners of organic agriculture can enhance efficiency and increase productivity, but this should not be at the risk of jeopardizing health and well-being. Consequently, new technologies need to be assessed, and existing methods reviewed. Given the incomplete understanding of ecosystems and agriculture, care must be taken - Science is necessary to ensure that organic agriculture is healthy, safe and ecologically sound. However, scientific knowledge alone is not sufficient. Practical experience, accumulated wisdom and traditional and indigenous knowledge offer valid solutions, tested by time 23 24