Organic Food Production Values Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Organic Food Production Values - Essay Example Any substance that is formulated or manufactured by a chemical process, or by a process that results in a chemical change in a substance extracted from a naturally occurring plant animal or mineral source, is termed a synthetic material. The main emphasis of organic farming is to minimize air, soil and water pollution. Animal and crop wastes, botanical, biological or non-synthetic pest control methods are used in organic farming. When required only permissible synthetic material that can be quickly broken down by oxygen and sunlight are used. Alternative methods to increase soil fertility such as crop rotation, tillage and cultivation practices, cover crops, and natural products such as natural fertilizers and pesticides are used. To be used for organic farming, a plot of land has to be free from the use of prohibitive substances for a minimum period of three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Organic farming, therefore, takes a long start-up period. â€Å"Organic foods are produced according to certain production standards. For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. For animals, it means they were reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.† (Wikipedia) The Biodynamic Movement founded by Rudolf Steiner is the main concept behind organic farming. Conceived in the 1920s, biodynamic agriculture is the oldest consciously organic approach to agriculture. Biodynamic agriculture is stricter in its requirements for on-farm self-sufficiency, in terms of manure, compost and animal feed, than other types of organic farming.