Organic farming in India is a method of farming that aims at cultivating the Indian land and raising crops in such a way that preserves soil health, enhances biodiversity, and avoids the use of synthetic inputs like chemical fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. Organic farming is not only beneficial for the environment but also for consumers who demand safer and more nutritious food.
According to FiBL survey 2021 India holds a unique position among countries practicing organic agriculture. India is home to 30% of total organic producers in the world having 2.30 million ha.
One of the key aspects of organic farming in Indian agriculture practice is soil management. Soil is a living entity that contains millions of microorganisms and other organisms that contribute to its fertility and productivity. Soil management is the process of maintaining and improving soil quality by using organic wastes, biofertilizers, cover crops, crop rotation, no-till farming methods, and other natural practices.
Soil management is essential for organic farming in India because it can help to overcome some of the major challenges faced by Indian farmers, such as soil degradation, nutrient deficiency, water scarcity, pest and disease infestation, climate change, and low profitability. By adopting soil management practices, Indian farmers can improve the soil’s organic carbon content, water-holding capacity, nutrient availability, biological activity, and crop yield.
This is the first step to assess the soil condition and identify the soil type, texture, structure, pH, organic matter content, nutrient status, and microbial population. Soil sampling can help to determine the appropriate soil amendments and inputs required for organic farming in India.
This is the use of organic wastes such as crop residues, animal manures, composts, vermicompost, green manures, and biochar to enrich the soil with organic matter and nutrients. Manure-based fertilizer can improve the soil’s physical properties, enhance microbial activity, increase water retention capacity, and supply essential macro and micronutrients to the crops.
Cover crops are grown between or along with the main crops to protect the soil from erosion, weed invasion, water loss, and temperature fluctuations. They can also fix atmospheric nitrogen, suppress pests and diseases, improve soil structure and fertility, and provide organic matter and mulch to the soil.
These are solutions or extracts made from organic materials such as cow urine, cow dung slurry, fish emulsion, seaweed extract, plant extracts, etc. that are applied to the soil or foliage of the crops to provide nutrients and growth promoters. Liquid organic fertilizers can enhance nutrient uptake efficiency, soil moisture content, and crop quality.
These methods avoid or minimize tillage or plowing of the soil to preserve its natural structure and reduce soil disturbance. No-till farming methods can reduce soil erosion, water loss, weed growth, and greenhouse gas emissions, and increase soil organic matter, microbial diversity, and crop yield.
This is the use of physical methods such as hand weeding, hoeing, mulching, flaming, mowing, or solarization to remove or suppress weeds without using chemical herbicides. Mechanical weed control can prevent weed competition, soil contamination, and crop damage, and improve soil aeration, water infiltration, and nutrient cycling.
Indian agricultural practice of growing different crops in a planned sequence on the same piece of land helps to break pest and disease cycles, improve soil fertility, diversify income sources, and optimize resource use efficiency. Crop rotation can also help to maintain soil organic matter, prevent nutrient depletion, and enhance crop quality and yield.
It includes the use of various methods to fight natural enemies such as predators, parasitoids, pathogens, or beneficial insects to control or reduce pest populations without using chemical pesticides. Biological pest control can reduce pest damage, soil pollution, and human health risks, and increase biodiversity, crop resilience, and profitability in Indian agricultural practice.
One of the most important factors for maintaining organic soil health is choosing quality seeds. Quality seeds are those that are certified organic and adapted to the local Indian climate and Indian soil conditions. Quality seeds can help improve soil fertility, crop yield, pest resistance, and biodiversity. They can also reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides that can harm the soil and the environment.
To buy seeds online, you should look for reputable sources such as BadiKheti which offer organic seeds from the best agricultural brands and manufacturers that follows all the necessary rules and regulation depicted by the Indian government. You may ask for seed information such as germination rate, purity, variety name, and origin. You should avoid buying seeds that are old, damaged, or contaminated with diseases or weeds. You should also store your seeds properly in a cool, dry, and dark place to preserve their viability and quality.
Having an understanding of how to buy quality seeds is important as it is an investment in your organic soil health and your future harvests. By choosing quality seeds, you can ensure that your soil is rich in nutrients, organic matter, and beneficial microorganisms that support plant growth and health. You can also enjoy the benefits of growing healthy, tasty, and nutritious crops that are good for you and the planet.
By implementing these soil management practices, organic farmers in India can achieve sustainable farming that can meet their economic, social, and environmental goals.
If you are interested in learning more about organic farming in India or want to buy seeds online for your organic farm, you can visit BadiKheti online portal for agriculture products. We are a leading agriculture market in India that offers wide range of agricultural products and seeds for various crops.
BadiKheti also has an agriculture app that you can download on your smartphone to access our services anytime and anywhere. We are committed to promoting organic farming in India and providing quality products and services to Indian farmers.
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