There are plenty of rationales that motivates a farmer practicing organic farming. The most extreme practices even significantly minimizing human intervention. Farmers only served as a seed spreader and pickers result only. There is also a very loose, still, tolerate the use of certain synthetic chemicals if necessary.
At least the major rules that must be obeyed. The following blurb:
1. Land preparation
Land for organic farming must be free of residues of fertilizers and synthetic chemical drugs. The process of land conversion from conventional farming to organic agriculture takes at least 1-3 years. During the transition period, agricultural products produced can not be considered organic because they usually contain chemical residues.
Another thing to consider is the environment around the land. Chemical pollution of the nearby garden can damage organic farming systems that have been built. Contaminants can migrate into organic fields we are being taken by water and air.
In addition to contaminants, the use of drugs from neighboring garden pests and diseases can cause a run organic farms. Surely pests will look for lands that are free of toxins, and unfortunately, an organic garden will be an easy target.
To get around it, could use the hedgerows. Some types of hedgerows have the ability to absorb the smell, chemicals, and midges. Also, the forage of the hedge can be used as organic fertilizer.
2.Irrigation Condition
Watering or irrigation conditions be decisive also in organic farming. Will be in vain if we apply organic farming while the water that flows our lands contain many chemical residues. Obviously, we are at risk of contaminated land such substances. At the end of our organic agricultural products are not sterile from chemical toxins.
To circumvent this, select the fields that have a direct water from a nearby spring. If it is difficult, we could take water from irrigation canals rather large. Levels of chemical residues in waterways that are usually very low and the water can still be used for organic farming. Avoid taking water from the overflow of the garden or conventional rice fields.
Also, can also be made water purification unit itself. Water from irrigation channels accommodated in a pool that has been engineered. Then the output water is used to irrigate an organic garden.
3.Preparation of Seed Plants
Seeds are used in organic farming must come from organic seed. When the organic seed is difficult to obtain, for the early stages it can be made to reproduce their seeds. Propagation can be taken from conventional seed.
The way to clean up these seeds of pesticide residues. To make it organic, planting the seed and the selection of crops to be used as seed back in. Use the rules of breeding and seed in general.
Do not preserve the seeds with pesticides, fungicides or synthetic hormones. Use traditional methods to preserve it. Seeds produced from this process can be said organic seed.
It should be noted, genetically modified seeds can not be used for organic farming systems.
4.Fertilizer and Soil Conditioner
Fertilization in organic farming shall use organic fertilizers. The type of organic fertilizer allowed is green manure, manure, compost and its variants, as well as biological fertilizer. To know more details, please read the types of organic fertilizers.
Organic farming can also use a soil conditioner or also called biological fertilizer. This soil conditioner is isolated bacteria that can improve soil fertility. Currently, organic fertilizer sold in the market as EM4, Biokulktur, etc. Biological fertilizer also can be made by isolating microbes from organic ingredients.
In Permentan mine materials natural minerals such as lime and sulfur still tolerable for use in organic farming. Here's a list of minerals that can be used in organic farming:
- dolomite
- gypsum
- lime chloride
- phosphate rock
- sodium chloride
5.Pets and Disease Control
Pest control in organic agriculture should apply the concept of integrated pest management. Things that are forbidden to use drugs such as pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and the like to eradicate the pest.
Pest control can take advantage of:
- Selection of suitable varieties
- crop rotation
- Applying a good technical culture, such as earth moving, fertilization, soil sanitation, etc.
- Utilizing natural enemies or predators of pests
- Applying a diverse agricultural ecosystem, not monoculture
If forced to, for example, there was an explosion of pests or diseases, can also be used to eradicate pests with natural pesticides or organic pesticides. Please read about organic pesticides.
6.Post Harvest Handling
The process of washing or cleaning products should use water that meets the organic quality standards. Avoid water that has been contaminated with chemicals synthesis. Also, use equipment that is not contaminated with chemicals.
In the storage and transport of organic products should not be mixed with non-organic products. To provide added value, preferably boxed organic products with eco-friendly materials and can be recycled.
7.Certification of Organic Farming
For marketing and boost consumer confidence, it helps certified organic products. Today many institutions that can provide organic certification. Starting from a paid to free.
Going forward, Permentan Organic Farming Systems will organize organic certification agencies. The goal is to facilitate control and protect consumers of organic food. As agricultural producers, we have to be very clever in choosing organic certification. We must be wise in the cost of certification. Do not let the cost of certification burden.
In addition to certification, other alternatives can be developed to reassure consumers by the campaign. For instance, the movement to buy local, food, the more local the better. Establish communication with the consumer directly. Occasionally invite consumers to see the gardens of production. Know your farm is known your food!
8.Marketing Organic Farming
Patterns marketing of organic agricultural products can use the patterns of old or new patterns. Organic agricultural products could still compete for the conventional market, because although larger operational costs but Input-input production cheaper. But if you want to get a price incentive should be sold to a modern market or direct sales.
a. Traditional Market
This market is the oldest agricultural market. For supplying the market of this type usually through a chain of traders and middlemen existing collectors to remote villages. The advantages of this system are easy. Farmers do not have to pick up the ball just wait in the land, even the process usually yields have also done merchant wholesalers.
Many farmers are more comfortable with this system because of the convenience. Even some middleman and collectors are willing to lend capital to the production of the next planting season. Although often it into bondage for farmers.
The drawback of this system is the low price. Moreover, when the agricultural products purchased with debt bondage system or purchased before the harvest.
b. Modern Market
There are two patterns to enter the modern market, namely by feeding it directly and through its suppliers. To supply directly, the manufacturer must have sufficient capital and relationships. Because usually the goods that were not paid directly. This can be circumvented by forming a cooperative of organic farmers.
Most organic farmers, there is also a company to sell their crops to the modern market suppliers. In this case, that has a contract with the modern market is the company's suppliers. Farmers sell to the provider company.
c. Direct Sales
Alternative systems of the above marketing are to make direct sales. Farmers market their crops directly to consumers. Usually in the form of packages that are tailored to the crops.
Packages are shipped directly to consumers who subscribe. The type and vegetable maca adjusted between the needs of consumers and the growing season. To run such a system, farmers are required to apply multicultural system so that the product is not monotonous. If it was hard to meet their own, producing farmers could form groups.
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