Principles and Standards of Organic Farming

ORGANIC FARMING

Organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic agro-chemicals and relies on crop
rotations, crop residues, animal manures, composts, legumes, green manures and on-
farm wastes to maintain the soil productivity and to supply plant nutrients to the crops.
Disease and insect-pest management is done by using biopesticides.

Basic organic standards

• Conversion from chemical to organic farming requires a three year conversion
  period during which all the practices should be organic.
  •A buffer zone must be created around the organic field to avoid any contamination
  or run off from the adjoining chemical fields.
  •Seed should be from the organic produce and should not be treated with any
  chemical. Genetically modified (GM) crops are not allowed. The cultural practices
  of organic crops like seed rate, sowing time and spacing may be same as that of
  conventional crops, if otherwise not mentioned.
  •Herbicides should not be used for weed control and weeds should be managed by
  cultural practices/methods and need based weedings.
  •Chemical fertilizers, pesticides and growth regulators are prohibited.