Appreciating organic farming
AFTER Appreciating Climate Change (1st of a series), we are now tackling Organic Farming because, scientists tell us, and I, as a disciple of organic farming for 50 years, am convinced myself, that organic farming has a big, big role to play in what citizens can do to fight climate change, and in a manner, that is very much intelligent.
I first learned about organic farming more than 50 years ago when I read about trash farming. I began writing about organic farming in the mid-1960s —the very first individual to do so in the Philippines, including in the Philippines Free Press. UP Los Baños professors only began mentioning it many, many decades later.
Today, many are talking about organic farming – but not quite knowledgeably. Organic farming applies to Agriculture and the related scientific fields of Forestry and Horticulture. To simplify: Agriculture is growing field crops; Forestry is growing tree crops; and Horticulture is growing farm &garden crops; except for Animal Husbandry in Agriculture, they all concern the growing of crops.
You really have to appreciate the philosophy of organic farming to help you grow an organic farm or garden produce, teach or write about the subject with confidence.
“What is the essence of organic farming?” What follows are several technical answers; we will study them to come up with our own clear understanding of the subject. It cannot be that you will understand immediately; you have to think through. Here are the results of my Google searches:
About materials used Essentially, organic farming makes use of compost, manure, peat moss, and other natural fertilizers in the cultivation of farms or gardens (Anonymous, 19 January 2003, “Organic Farming,” PhilStar Global, philstar.com).
Yes, organic farming involves both farms and gardens. But, no, Sir! The natural fertilizers do not constitute the essentials of organic farming, no matter how good those natural fertilizers are. Next reference, please.
About quality of the ecosystem Organic farming is a farming technique that sustains, enhances and maintains the quality of the ecosystem. Consequently, organic farming does not have harmful and deteriorating effects on the ecosystem ( toppr.com).
Among other things, the author does not explain what is meant by the “quality of the ecosystem” – what is the “ecosystem” anyway? For the moment, let us use the word “environment” as equivalent to “ecosystem” – now, what are those harmful and deteriorating effects on the environment? Not listed. Next reference, please.
About health of the land Organic agriculture originated as a response to a growing awareness that the health of the land is linked to the health and future of the people. It is a holistic