Organic Farming

Adaptive farmer-friendly system

The success of organic agriculture systems is premised on nurturing the soil which then feeds the plants whilst maintaining the integrity and health of the environment in which the plants grow. Increasing soil organic matter content and below ground biodiversity buffers the crops from external variables making for resilient systems that are productive in diverse environments, including drought-prone areas.

 Amongst the benefits of organic farming systems are:

Low input costs for the farmers

Organic farming makes use of locally available resources which can be augmented by organically produced or naturally occurring inputs. Benefits from the ecological functions proffered by predators, beneficial microorganisms lead to naturally-occurring or induced resistance of the crops to pests and diseases thus saving farmers significantly from external inputs. Fertilizers are either created in situ by green manuring and leguminous crop rotations or on-farm via composting and worm farming. Weeds are nature’s way of healing and restoring damaged soils. When farmers work on building soil life, the improved conditions results in healthy crops that can compete with weeds. In addition, the mulches that are inherent in organic farming systems suppress weeds.

Consumer benefits

• Nutrition

Living high organic matter content soils that have a diversity of microbes and fauna yield not only nutrient-dense crops but crops that have assimilated beneficial phytochemicals. Thus, organically-grown crops are not only nutritious but have rich flavours, taste and great keeping qualities.

• Clean crops

A major benefit to consumers of organic food is that it is free of contamination from toxic pesticide residues because these are not applied to the crops.

.• Food keeps longer

.Grower benefits

• Disease and pest resistance
• Weed competitiveness
• Lower input costs
• Drought resistance