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Defining organic agriculture
Within this overall framework of sustainable agriculture, organic agriculture is one form of agriculture that can be equated to an
“organisational principle”. The main approach of organic agriculture is to manage a mixed farm, as much as possible, like an
organism within a closed system. Since site-conditions are individual properties by definition, a farm can be conceived as an
individual entity. Compared to other types of agriculture, organic agriculture depends more on specific site-conditions and is
therefore forced to combine the best adapted elements to an holistic approach.
The aims and principles of organic production are:
• nearly closed cycles of nutrients and organic matter within the farm;
• predominantly farm-produced manure and compost;
• if needed, slowly soluble minerals for fertilising only (P/K);
• if possible, self-produced seeds;
• weed control by crop rotation, cultivation, thermal methods and competition effects;
• pest control based on homeostasis and inoffensive substances, use of predators promoted by structures like hedges,
flowering plants, etc.;
• lasting fertility due to efficient “reproduction of soil organic matter”;
• encouraging and enhancing biological processes (N2 fixation);
• for animal welfare, appropriate housing systems and suitable feeding with farm grown crops (10-15% of daily ration in dry
matter can be imported).
The aims and principles related to social implications of organic agriculture are:
• within the national economy, optimum input to output ratio regarding material and energy;
• within the household economy, stable monetary results;
• within the market system: fair trade and prices; regional mixed production; transparent consumer-producer relationship;
quality of produce; and satisfaction to work in harmony with laws of nature;
• minimised negative impacts on producers, consumers, and environment;
• maximum conservation of soils, water, air and wildlife.
Organic agriculture relationship with environmental quality is enhanced through mix of crop and livestock farming that creates
diversified production systems. Flora and fauna needs are fulfilled, and diverse landscapes are maintained, through wide crop
rotation with flowering forage legumes, linked with hedgerows, pasture, shading trees, and other biotops.
Organic agriculture aims at building soil fertility and vitality within a more or less closed system and the systematic target-oriented
organization of nutrient flows is far more important than avoidance of synthetic inputs.
In brief, the main principle of organic agriculture is to feed the soil rather than plants and to be “bio-intensive” instead of “chemio-
intensive”. It promotes environmentally, socially and economically sound production of food and fibres. These systems take local
soil fertility as a key to successful production. By respecting the natural capacity of plants, animals and the landscape, it aims to
optimise quality in all aspects of agriculture and the environment. Organic agriculture dramatically reduces external inputs (and
therefore dependence on exogenous resources) by refraining from the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides and
pharmaceuticals. Instead, it allows the powerful laws of nature to increase both yields and disease resistance. Organic
agriculture adheres to globally accepted principles, which are implemented within local social-economic, geo-climatical and
cultural settings. Therefore, IFOAM stresses and supports the development of self-supporting systems at local and regional
levels.
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