Philosophy of organic agriculture: background, history and modern concept

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-44
Author(s):  
Veronika T. Turchanova ◽  
Stanislav N. Nekrasov
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Green Revolution ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Modern Concept ◽  
Organic Movement ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Literary Sources ◽  
Background History

The purpose of the work is to reveal the concept of organic agriculture in a temporary aspect. Methodology and objects of the research are a comparative analysis of literary sources: the works of foreign and domestic scientists in the field of organic farming, foreign legislative acts, statistical data of FiBL and IFOAM. The result is the discovering of that the prerequisites for the emergence of organic production is the “green revolution”. Intensive farming led to the appearance of the opposite – organic movement. The authors considered the ideas of R. Steiner, A.T. Bolotov, V.I. Vernadsky, H. Muller, O. Mokiti, 4th Baron Northbourne, E. Balfour, A. Howard, R.L. Carson and M. Fukuoka. They laid foundation for the modern concept of organic farming. It includes four principles: health, ecology, justice, care. Authors of this article give a brief description of the state of organic agriculture in Russia and worldwide.

From Grassroots Movement to State-Coordinated Market Strategy: The Transformation of Organic Agriculture in China

10.1068/c2v ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Thiers
Keyword(s):  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Extreme Case ◽  
Developmental State ◽  
State Intervention ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Market Strategy ◽  
Organic Movement ◽  
Developed Nations

The production, certification, and marketing of organic agriculture developed slowly in the West as a nongovernmental, community-based response to concerns over food safety and the environmental impacts of chemical agriculture. The current emergence of organic agriculture in less-developed nations is following a very different trajectory owing to the presence of an established global market for organic products and the developmental goals of interventionist states. In this paper I examine the emergence of state-sponsored organic marketing and certification programs in the Peoples' Republic of China as an extreme case of developmental state intervention in organic agriculture. I find that the predominance of state and market instead of community and ecology in the Chinese organic ‘movement’ has profound implications for the ability of organics to promote environmentally sustainable agriculture in less-developed nations. Direct state intervention may overcome some of the public-goods and collective-action problems often associated with organic agriculture. However, conflicts of interest between the state as regulator and as producer erode the consumer trust upon which organic markets rely. The use of political authority to organize organic production allows state entrepreneurs to capture market premiums, reducing farmer innovation and long-term incentive, and exacerbating free-rider problems. The case of organic agriculture in China demonstrates the need for caution when applying universalistic economic theories about environmental problems to diverse political economies. This has important implications for international environmental regimes as well as the globalization of eco-consumerism or eco-labeling strategies.

Assessment of the environmental sustainability of organic farming: Definitions, indicators and the major challenges

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 981-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Halberg
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Agricultural Sustainability ◽  
Functional Integrity ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Improved Performance

Halberg, N. 2012. Assessment of the environmental sustainability of organic farming: Definitions, indicators and the major challenges. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 981–996. The debate over agricultural sustainability continues due to the challenges of reducing externalities of intensive farming methods and preserving vital natural capital, but many definitions of sustainability are too wide to allow for a prioritized assessment. This paper uses a more narrow definition of agricultural sustainability focusing on the functional integrity of a system to highlight specific aspects of vital importance for the long-term resilience and reproducibility of agricultural systems. Key areas of resource sufficiency are also identified. Based on a review of scientific literature the relative sustainability of organic agriculture is assessed with a focus on environmental impact and resource use in Europe and North America. While there are many examples of organic agriculture with improved performance in terms of soil fertility and preservation of biodiversity, in other aspects – such as resource use per kilogram product – the difference to conventional farming is less important. The paper presents a framework for selection of indicators based on the principles of organic agriculture which may be used to monitor and improve the performance of organic agriculture with respect to functional integrity and resource sufficiency. The differences between comparable organic farms may be used for improving farm practices through a benchmarking process.

scholarly journals Organic farming in Nepal: A viable option for food security and agricultural sustainability

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-230
Author(s):  
Sovit Parajuli ◽  
Jiban Shrestha ◽  
Sabita Ghimire
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
External Input ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Agricultural Sustainability ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Viable Option ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
The Government

Increasing use of agrochemicals, higher production cost and deterioration of ecosystem health have advocated the need to change the traditional and external input using agriculture towards safe and sustainable organic production. The article reviewed on general overview of organic agriculture in Nepal. The article aims to put light on the current scenario of the dawdling-paced organic agriculture and the options to revive the pesticide dominated conventional agriculture. Promotion of organic agriculture was first appeared as a priority in the10th Five Year Plan of the Government of Nepal. Now it has been embedded in the national agricultural policy. Organic agriculture provides benefits in terms of environmental protection, conservation of nonrenewable resources, improved food quality, improve health status and the reorientation of agriculture towards areas of market demand. Various institutions, individuals and farmers are engaging in organic farming. Nepal is exporting organic products to international markets. The adoption of organic agriculture increases agricultural production and improves soil health and consumer health and seems a better option in countries like ours where fortunately integrated crop-livestock system is still prevalent. It is found to be viable option for better livelihood in the context of Nepal. Because the haphazard pesticide use has marred the conventional agriculture, all these contexts gesture this system to be scrutinize thoroughly and supplanted by organic farming system as a viable option towards food security and agricultural sustainability.

scholarly journals SIGNIFICANCE OF COOPERATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Olha Alieksieieva
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
The United States ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Cooperative Movement ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of the article is to study the impact of the basic principles and benefits of the development of cooperative movement on the development of organic agricultural production, as well as to determine the role of cooperation in the development of organic entrepreneurship. Methodology. The author has used the methods of analysis and synthesis, the method of statistical grouping and comparison, induction and deduction, structural and functional approach to solve the problems and achieve the goals. The study is based on the comparative analysis and synthesis of scientific literature. Results. Organic food is increasing in popularity. The growing demand is mainly attributable to consumer concerns about negative implications of conventional agriculture for human health and the environment. Organic agriculture has a great potential to neutralize a negative impact of agricultural intensification on the environment. The article describes the concept and analyzes the current state of cooperation in agriculture. It is found that during the period under the research, the number of registered cooperatives has increased by almost 45%. The concepts of organic agriculture and organic production are clarified. The dynamics of agricultural lands engaged in organic production and the number of certified organic farms in Ukraine are studied. It is indicated that the consumption of organic products in Ukraine is much lower than in the European countries and the United States. The advantages of introducing a cooperative movement in the field of organic agriculture are identified. Being part of a cooperative helps small farms to be able to produce enough to generate profits and ensure their substance, which is an opportunity to compete with larger companies. Risks arising in the process of establishing organic cooperatives are outlined considering the international experience. It is concluded that efficient organic farming cooperatives can support local and export markets, stimulate production efficiency and promote local logistics. Practical implications. The advantages of consolidation of enterprises and entrepreneurs in the field of organic agriculture on the basis of cooperation can be used for the development of state programs to support the cooperative movement in organic farming. Value/originality. Views on the organization of production, processing and logistics activities of organic agricultural producers through the introduction of cooperatives have been expanded.

scholarly journals Analysis of Determinants Affecting Organic Production: State Evidence from the United States

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 503
Author(s):  
Yongrui Hou ◽  
Tianyuan Luo ◽  
Jing Hao
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Large Population ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The U.S

As the demand for organic products quickly grows in the U.S., the domestic supply of organic commodities has stagnated and failed to meet the increasing needs. To expand the organic supply capacity in the country, it is crucial to identify the key factors that could effectively promote the scale of organic farming in the U.S. Using a multivariate analytic model and state level data from multiple sources and years, this study examines a wide range of determinants that could affect organic agriculture. The results show that research funding would significantly increase organic vegetable production and the number of organic farms. The development of organic farming could be greatly encouraged by the support of research institutions. In addition, the evidence shows that abundant farm workers are essential for the organic farming sector, which is labor-intensive. Finally, a large population base could create a more stable consumer group that would promote the development of organic agriculture. These results suggest the importance of exploring and expanding consumer groups for organic commodities. These findings provide insightful implications that research support, labor availability, and a solid consumer base are crucial to boost the organic sector in the U.S. and other countries.

scholarly journals Potentials of Organic Agriculture in Nepal

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal Datt Bhatta ◽  
Werner Doppler ◽  
Krishna Bahadur KC
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Family Income ◽  
External Input ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Niche Markets ◽  
Organic Movement ◽  
Organic Vegetables ◽  
Organic Farmers ◽  
Political Commitments

Increasing use of agro-chemicals, higher production cost and deteriorating ecosystem health have advocated the need to change traditional and external input use agriculture towards safe and sustainable organic production. Current research focuses on the constraints and opportunities of organic agriculture and consumers' awareness and willingness to pay more for organic vegetables by selecting producers from Lalitpur and Bhaktpur districts using spatial sampling and consumers from Kathmandu valley randomly. Data obtained from structured questionnaire were subjected to descriptive and econometric analysis and willingness to pay analysis. Most of the farmers interviewed are aware about the negative repercussion of the indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals. Organic vegetables are either home delivered and/or sold to the specialized niche markets. All domestic organic products reach to consumers without labeling. Most of the organic consumers are willing to pay eight rupees more for labeled organic vegetables. Currently organic farmers rely only on consumers' willingness to pay more to obtain a compensation for lower yields. Family income, education, profession etc are key attributes of the consumers shaping their decision to buy organic vegetables. Organic industry is too small and a long way to go in Nepal. Political commitments such as avoiding conflicting drive to maximize production, hammering proactive policy, initiating organic technology research, providing market incentives and institutionalization of Nepalese organic movement are imperative to further enhance organic sector in Nepal.  Key words: Awareness; Consumers; Marketing; Organic vegetables; Regression; Willingness to payThe Journal of Agriculture and Environment Vol:10, Jun.2009 Page: 14

scholarly journals Financial competitiveness of organic agriculture on a global scale

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (24) ◽  
pp. 7611-7616 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Crowder ◽  
John P. Reganold
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Benefit Cost

To promote global food and ecosystem security, several innovative farming systems have been identified that better balance multiple sustainability goals. The most rapidly growing and contentious of these systems is organic agriculture. Whether organic agriculture can continue to expand will likely be determined by whether it is economically competitive with conventional agriculture. Here, we examined the financial performance of organic and conventional agriculture by conducting a meta-analysis of a global dataset spanning 55 crops grown on five continents. When organic premiums were not applied, benefit/cost ratios (−8 to −7%) and net present values (−27 to −23%) of organic agriculture were significantly lower than conventional agriculture. However, when actual premiums were applied, organic agriculture was significantly more profitable (22–35%) and had higher benefit/cost ratios (20–24%) than conventional agriculture. Although premiums were 29–32%, breakeven premiums necessary for organic profits to match conventional profits were only 5–7%, even with organic yields being 10–18% lower. Total costs were not significantly different, but labor costs were significantly higher (7–13%) with organic farming practices. Studies in our meta-analysis accounted for neither environmental costs (negative externalities) nor ecosystem services from good farming practices, which likely favor organic agriculture. With only 1% of the global agricultural land in organic production, our findings suggest that organic agriculture can continue to expand even if premiums decline. Furthermore, with their multiple sustainability benefits, organic farming systems can contribute a larger share in feeding the world.

scholarly journals Bio cash-cow? Context and content of Czech organic farming

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 45-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Zagata
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Current Problem ◽  
Value Orientation ◽  
Paper Briefly ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Organic Movement

This work presents results of a qualitative empirical study on practices of farmers participating in the Czech system of organic agriculture (ecological agriculture). Growth of this sector has been seen almost solely in positive terms, without questioning its content. However, Czech organic agriculture does not stem from the organic movement as is the case in Western Europe and therefore it is necessary to ask what it draws on and to discover, with regard to its nature, whether it can meet the expectations stated in official policies. This paper briefly describes the development of organic farming in other countries and the current problem of its conventionalization. The research study then shows evidence that organic farming is not adopted only because of state’s subsidies, but also due to the specific value orientation of farmers, despite the history and the lack of tradition of these specific practices in the Czech Republic.

scholarly journals Perception and intention in organic agriculture cultivation in North Maluku Province

2021 ◽  
Vol 306 ◽  
pp. 02014
Author(s):  
Ikhsan Fuady ◽  
Mardianah ◽  
MA Syifaa Sutarjo
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Green Revolution ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
New Order ◽  
Behavior Intention ◽  
Organic Farming System ◽  
Development Paradigm

The green revolution program during the New Order era has left various agricultural problems. Organic agriculture as the antithesis of agricultural development paradigm has long been echoed. However, the intention of farmers to do organic farming is still relatively limited. Many factors influence farmers’ behavior intention, one of which is the perception of agriculture towards the organic farming system. This study aims to describe farmers’ perceptions and intention in organic farming in North Maluku Province, using the UTAUT1 (Venkatest 2003) theoretical framework from venkatest. This study was designed as a quantitative study with a survey approach. The population of this study was vegetable farmers in North Maluku province. The sample of this study was 120 farmers spread across the city of Ternate and Tidore. This research data analysis used descriptive statistics. The results showed that the farmers’ perceptions about organic agricultural cultivation were generally categorized as quite good / moderate. Only 1 indicator of a high perspective, namely farmers’ perceptions of performance expectations or farmers believe that organic farming systems can improve their farming with a value of 3.38 ± 0.6. The intention or intention of farmers to do organic farming is relatively diverse. As many as 36.7 percent have a strong desire, but 33.3 percent have a low intention.

scholarly journals Organic farming: Present status, scope and prospects in northern India

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 2272-2279
Author(s):  
Sartaj A. Wani ◽  
Muneeb Ahmad Wani ◽  
Sheikh Mehraj ◽  
Bilal A. Padder ◽  
Subhash Chand
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Green Revolution ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Chemical Inputs ◽  
Natural Resource Base

Organic agriculture has emerged as an important priority area globally in view of the growing consciousness for safe and healthy food, long term sustainability and environmental concerns despite being contentious in history. Green revolution although paved way for developing countries in self-sufficiency of food but sustaining production against the limited natural resource base demands has shifted steadily from “resource degrading” chemical agriculture to “resource protective” organic agriculture. The essential concept remains the same, i.e., to go back to the arms of nature and take up organic farming to restore the loss. Organic farming emphasizes on rotating crops, managing pests, diversifying crops and livestock and improving the soil. The rainfed areas particularly north-eastern regions where least or no utilization of chemical inputs due to poor resources provides considerable opportunity for promotion of organic farming thereby reflecting its vast but unexplored scope. However, significant barriers like yield reduction, soil fertility enhancement, integration of livestock, marketing and policy etc., arise at both macroscopic and microscopic levels; making practically impossible the complete adoption of ‘pure organic farming’; rather some specific area can be diverted to organic farming and thus a blend of organic and other innovative farming systems is needed. Adoption of Integrated Green Revolution Farming can be possible to a large extent, where the basic trends of green revolution are retained with greater efficiency and closer compatibility to the environment. This review paper attempts to present the recent global and regional scenario of organic farming particularly highlighting the scope, prospects and constraints in the northern areas.

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