HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY

Role of Organic Farming in Producing High Value Agricultural Products, Creating Job Opportunity with Various Possible Organic Inputs and Sources

Prepared By Ayele Akuma

Avoid usage of Synthetic chemical inputs

College of Agriculture and Environmental Science School of Natural resource Organic Farming Management &Environmental Science
Nutrients rich yield

Concept of Organic Farming

inputs

Avoid usage of Synthetic chemical inputs

Natural and farm resources

pest control

Environment & Local farming system

Organic Farming

Biological diversity

Nutrients rich yield

Organic Farming -- Benefits -- Why

Improves soil structure Low input cost Natural controls of pests and diseases

Prevents the soil erosion Premium quality product Pollution free approach Making available all the essential nutrients.

About one million people suffer from pesticides poisoning. 20000 die every year due to the toxic effect of the chemicals used in agriculture. The crop loss due to pest is still 15000 crores.

Objectives of Organic farming

To develop a sustainable agriculture system To develop self-sufficient agriculture system To work within natural system and cycles. To encourage and enhance biological cycles

Methods
Crop rotation

Mulching Composting Agro forestry Green Manure Biofertilizers

Integrated pest management

Crop Rotation
Crop rotation means having times where the fertility of the soil is being built up and times where crops are grown which remove nutrients Crop rotation also helps a variety of natural predators to survive on the farm

Composting
Compost is organic matter (plant and animal residues) which has been rotted down by the action of bacteria and other organisms, over a period of time Compost improves the structure of the soil Compost improves soil fertility by adding nutrients and by making it easier for plants to take up the nutrients already in the soil Compost improves the soil's ability to hold water Provide nutrients for plants but do not improve soil structure

Mulching
Mulching means covering the ground with a layer of loose material such as compost, manure, straw, dry grass, leaves or crop residues. How to use mulches Always apply mulches to a warm, wet soil Care should be taken as to the thickness of the mulch applied To clear an area of land of persistent weeds a layer of 10cm or more can be used.

o o o

Green manures
Green manures, often known as cover crops, are plants which are grown to improve the structure, organic matter content and nutrient content of the soil They are grown for their green leafy material which is high in nutrients and provides soil cover

Green manures o Improve the ability of the soil to hold water o Control soil erosion o Improve soil structure o Improve soil fertility

Photosynthesis: CO2 + H2O carbohydrates (CHO) + O2

Major Cause: Nutrient Deficiency In Soil

Nutrients are taken up primarily by the roots in the form of an aqueous solution in the soil

1. Soils may be naturally low in nutrients 2. Deficient due to nutrient removal by crops 3. When high yielding varieties are grown (In order to obtain high yields, Fertilizers are needed).
FERTILIZERS Chemical Fertilizers (Conventional Farming) Biological Fertilizers (Organic Farming)

Biofertilizers What is Biofertilizer?

Biofertilizers are :
Biofertilizers includes selective microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, algae which are capable of fixing atmospheric N or convert insoluble phosphate and other salts in the soil into forms available to plants.

Why Biofertilizers???
Disadvantages of chemical fertilizers: The chemical fertilizers are used for better crop yield which are also providing N,P. But use of these fertilizers in excess of recommended levels in order to ensure high yields(generally farmers do),cause environmental pollution. These environmental contamination & over supply of nutrients can lead to negative consequences on humans and animals. - Ingestion of nitrate can be toxic to humans. It cause eutrophication.

Advantages
1. Biofertilizers are supplements to chemical fertilizers. 2. They are cheap & can help to reduce fertilizer consumption. 3. They provide biological nitrogen directly to plants 4. They help in solubilization & mineralization of other plants nutrients like phosphates. 5. Stimulates plant growth by secreting growth hormones.

Advantages contd
6. On an average crop yield increases by 10-40 percent with their use. 7. They control and suppress soil borne diseases 8. Keep soils biologically active 9. They improve soil properties and maintain soil fertility. 10. They are eco-friendly and pollution free.

Legume root nodules

Advantages of Biofertilizers
Renewable source of nutrients Sustain soil health Supplement chemical fertilizers. Replace 25-30% chemical fertilizers Decompose plant residues, and stabilize C:N ratio of soil No adverse effect on plant growth and soil fertility. Secrete fungistatic and antibiotic like substances

Comparative overview of chemical fertilizer and Biofertilizers

Factors production Process Raw materials and energy budget Chemical fertilizers Industrial, centralized chemical Fossil fuel & others imported, based on nonrenewable energy sources, energy intensive Biological fertilizers Biological, small scale or decentralized Biological Atmospheric nitrogen for nitrogen fixers, unavailable P for PSM and VAM, Organic residues for compost decomposing organisms.Indigeous and local, based on renewable energy sources very low energy bill. About 90% efficiency. Losses due to leaching, fixation are negligible.

Efficiency

40-45% for nitrogenous fertilizers for upland crops and less than 33 % for rice,25-33% or phosphatic fertilizers. Heavy N losses due to leaching, volatization and denitrification.P availability decreased due to fixation. For nitrogen- nil or low Exists due to discriminate use

Effect on subsequent crop Pollution effect

Residual effect for nitrogen Pollution free

Targeted Shelf life Accessibility Irrigation Cost Soil health

All crops long Affordable section More useful to irrigated field High cost Indiscriminate use deteriorates the soil health

Rhizobium: legumes, BGA-Azolla: Rice, Azotobacter, Azospirillum : Most cereals, cotton, sugarcane Short for bacteria, long for BGA Small and marginal farmers Useful for both irrigated and dry land farming Low cost Improves the soil health

Problems with Biofertilizers

Microbial fertilizers are supplementary to chemical fertilizers but not substitute to it. Specific fertilizer are to be used for specific crops. Efficiency of microbial fertilizer is markedly dependent on soil character Shorter self life(6 month). Sensitivity to temperature. More chance of contamination

Types of biofertilizers
Nitrogen fixers 1. Symbiotic: Rhizobium, Frankia 2. Non symbiotic: Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Blue green algae, Azolla, Acetobacter Phosphate supplier 1. Phosphate solubiliser: Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Aspergillus 2. Phosphate absorber: V.A.Mycorrhiza (VAM fungi)

Legume inoculation

Types of biofertilizers
Sulphur supplier 1. Thiobacillus novellus, Aspergillus Organic matter decomposer and microbial cell mass. 1. Cellulose decomposer, Lignin decomposer.

Components of Biofertilizers
Biofertilizers are basically composed of two components; microorganisms and carriers.
A. Micro-organisms

A number of micro-organisms fix atmospheric nitrogen or solubilize soil phosphorus

B. Carrier

Carrier is the bulky component of a biofertilizer, which preserves the microorganisms alive till they are applied.

Where we get Biofertilizers?

These can be prepared in
Laboratory Fields

Root Nodules

BIOFERTILIZER ORGANISMS

RHIZOBIUM AZOTOBACTER

PSB
BLUE GREEN ALGAE

AZOSPIRILLUM VA-MYCORRHIZA

Preparation and Application of Inoculum

Seed Inoculation Liquid inoculation Granular inoculation Rhizobium-inoculant mixed with compost Green manure form and dual crop form (Azolla)

Inorganic V/s Organic farming

Inorganic Farming
Against Nature

Organic Farming
Harmony with Nature

Soil structure destroyed More chemical residues present in crops Low quality produce

Soil structure improves

No chemical residues

Premium quality

Highly fluctuation in yield

Satisfactory and reliable yield

Statistical data - Important facts

Currently 32.2 million hectares of agricultural land are managed organically and the value for organic foods in global market $26 billion US dollar, and is expected to grow to 102 billion US dollars in 2014. Today, 395 organizations certification services. worldwide offer organic

Many of the certification organizations also operate outside of their home country.

Organic Food Markets

World Top ten domestic markets for organic food Million Euros
17835

5800 3041 2065 1500 1284 1023 1000 905 868

Source: www. fibl.org/IFOAM Survey 2010

Export
Global Market Annual Growth =15-20% USA =11-13 BN US $ Japan =350-450 MN US $ Europe =10-11 BN US $ Ethiopia Both domestic and export market Starts from export market driven Started in year 1996( Sesame, Mandura Mandura) ) Main products exported( coffee, Sesame and Honey) Coffee take the largest share

Organic farming Progress

Large number of companies, NGOs, farmer organisations and government agencies promoting organic agriculture 12000 certified organic farms 210 projects 200000 ha certified organic land Wide range in different Countries Government policies to support organic farming Good chances on the export market; domestic market coming up

Organic Producers
Individual farmers Farmer groups NGO projects Companies Estates

Major Products produced by Organic Farming

Type Commodity Spices Products Tea, Coffee, Rice, Wheat Cardamom, Black pepper, white pepper, ginger, turmeric, vanilla, mustard, tamarind, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace chilly Faba Bean, Groundnut, pea, Red Gram, Black Gram, lentil etc. Mango, Banana, Pineapple, Grape, passion fruit, Orange, Cashew nut, walnut Cabbage, Garlic, Onion, Tomato, Potato, lettuce Sesame, castor, sunflower Cotton, herbal extract

Pulses Fruits Vegetables Oilseeds Others

Prospects of Organic Farming

Growing Demand Health Conscious Selling of organic produce at premium Rising Income levels Awareness among farmers Rising demand for exports Socio-cultural environment Keep farmer community healthy

Core principals to Organic Farming

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Soil Organic Matter Soil Organisms Bacteria & Fungi Organic Fertilizers Natural Predators Balance Diversification

Effect of Organic farming

Long-term productivity of the land Food security and stability Environmental impact Social impact

Constraints & Challenges

Government Support Lack of Financial support Undefined Market structure Consumer awareness Training Certification cost Low yield in early stages Labour Intensive

Constraints

&

Challenges

Transition time to organic Policy Initiatives Marketing of produce Infrastructure and Funds for scientific studies

Organic farming Disadvantages

Productivity Skill Cost

Recommendations
Provide financial incentives Research and technology development Incentive campaign

Conclusion

Market development

Availability of quality organic manure to the farmers

EAT ORGANIC

DREAM ORGANIC

LIVE ORGANIC