Organic farming is an approach to achieving a green and clean environment. It is highly dependent on the outside local conditions rather than on the utilization of inputs like fertilizers, pesticides. Organic farming is the combination of science, advanced technology, and innovation of the traditional system of production. It has the natural ways of cultivation rather than chemical inputs, which minimize crop pollution and degradation of the environment.
Organic farming has emerged as a necessity, but it comes with a few disadvantages
DISADVANTAGES OF ORGANIC FARMING :
Although organic farming is good for ecological health and a viable farming option but it can’t be done by every farming initiative or in adverse conditions. It has a vast concept and is practiced almost by every developed nation and developing one, as it helps in removing carbon imprint and aids in futuristic farming facilities. Organic farming is one of the environmentally friendly options, but it may produce greenhouse gas emissions if not done with a proper mechanism. There are many disadvantages of organic farming, which, if not taken care of, can affect the environment adversely.
1. ORGANIC FOOD IS RELATIVELY MORE EXPENSIVE
One of the greatest disadvantages of organic farming is more expensive than traditionally produced food.
2. HIGH COST OF PRODUCTION
The cost of production is much higher as it requires more manual labour. It is often viewed as inefficient marketing, as distribution, along with production, is minimal compared with the traditional form of farming.
3. INSUFFICIENT SUBSIDIZATION PROCESS
The subsidization offered to farmers is limited and numbered; it will always be risk-oriented in organic agricultural practices, in weather changes, or crop failure
4 . IGNORANCE, INSUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE, OR SKILLS
The organic farmers are deprived of knowledge and skills. During a certain stage of crop failure, they are unable to protect it, and require intensive knowledge mechanisms to protect that crop.
5. LOWER YIELD THAN CONVENTIONAL METHOD
The organic output produced is insufficient to meet the increasing food demand of the ever-increasing population of developed and developing nations. It is unable to produce surplus food, which is required to fulfill the demand of the economy.
If the farmer is ignorant about the crop’s health, then it may perish, and the value of the crop will be reduced.
you can also read this: Exploring the advantages of organic farming for soil health and biodiversity
CHALLENGES IN ORGANIC FARMING
1) There are number of marketing challenges in front of organic farming: As the organic food are more expensive as compared with the commodity food or commercial product, to overcome this challenge many communities are forging groups of food cooperatives with the help of local farmers and markets by giving small amount of fee, the consumers can “prepay” for the organic food and can consume after the completion of the growing season.
2) Huge startup cost: Beyond the certification cost, which is required to begin with organic farming. There are start-up costs that are supposed to be considered before beginning. Few soil amendments are needed, that as rock dust, which seems to be expensive for a few farmers as compared with the traditional form of farming.
3) Utilization of synthetic chemicals: It is a common notion that organic foods are free of synthetic chemicals, but there are, with few exceptions to the rule. The farmers who can apply natural pesticides but haven’t worked with pest control are permitted to use the synthetic products under specific conditions.
This entails that some organic food materials are exposed to chemical fertilizers and chemicals that are possessed in the conventional crops.
ORGANIC FARMING PROBLEM
Organic farming is one of the most prevalent; pointing out the flaws of organic farming is essential for environmental reasons and human consumption.
It needs more land to grow crops organically, as organic farms have lower yields in comparison with conventional farms. To maintain a competitive market, the organic farms need to take more space, making the carbon footprint of an organic farm similar to that of a traditional one. Is the idea of deforestation viable for making the idea of organic farming a reality?
There are many problems associated with organic farming. As you are aware of the land use issues with the organic produce, it may need huge space to meet the same amount of yield as compared with the traditional form of farming output.
It needs more water, which interrupts the natural habitat. Which may emit more greenhouse gas. To equate the sustainable with the idea of organic farming, we need viable utilization of resources, farmlands, and the techknow-how of the farmers. In the recent past, we have witnessed a confusing interrelated terms.
ORGANIC FARMING SOLUTIONS:
The best farming method and the most convenient is the confluence of conventional and organic agriculture. It is the most divergent approach, which needs considerable time, resources, knowledge, and adherence to a single concept of sustainability in every form. It mainly questions the most triggered part of organic farming, as to how to increase the yield.
Organic farming requires patience of nurturing; it’s needed to carve upon working with nature and not against it.
Organic farming solution needs investment in soil health, respecting and counting on biodiversity, investing in regenerative practices, and long-term well-being for the planet.
(I) Fertilizers are necessary for the quantity and quality of crop yield. An Indian startup develops vise organic develops organic solutions. The soil carbon is the increase in the organic carbon ratio in the soil
(ii) The French start-up NOX develops hermetic bags for crop protection
(iii) Noocity- Portuguese startup Noacity provides corporate organic farming services
(iv) Carbon Robotics develops autonomous weeders
(v) Nutrienvisus- Develops organic plant yield good category of supplements, the sustainability farming solutions rely upon organic principles, but there is a ca influx of organic and inorganic inputs to produce biological soil.
CONCLUSION
Organic farming goes through several barriers that hinder its appropriate adoption, which include limited access to organic inputs, higher production costs, complicated certification processes, and difficulties in accessing organic markets.
To enhance the influence of organic farming practices, the farmers need to overcome various barriers to organic farming. Different forms of supportive policies are there to bring about radical changes and alter various impediments in front of stable, sustainable organic farming by providing subsidies, tax incentives, and regulatory measures in favour of organic practices. The organic farming will be much easily accessible to the farmers, which will lead to a more stable and environmentally friendly agricultural system.