In ancient times people were practicing natural farming. No external inputs were given to the soil. No plowing or weeding was done. The leaves, flowers and other organic matter were allowed to decompose on the surface and acted as nutrition to the soil.
Then slowly people started to apply vermicompost, cow dung manure etc to the soil to increase the fertility of the soil and started plowing etc. This is called organic farming.
Later on, in order to increase the yield and also to control pests and plant diseases, artificial agricultural methods were adopted. This involves the application of chemical substances to the soil and crops.
The indiscriminate use of such advanced methods engaged in agriculture, though increased the yield substantially, involved high cost. The soil health is being spoiled. Besides, the products were harmful for human consumption.
So, people started looking back and increasingly changing over to the earlier practices of organic farming. Organic farming methods avoid the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
On the other hand, It requires the use of low-cost farming techniques. The inputs applied to the soil are prepared mostly with locally available materials and therefore cost-effective.
The herbicides and pest control methods also use environmentally friendly materials. Thus the methods adopted helps in producing toxic-free fruits and vegetables. The ill-effects of modern farming are warded off. Organic farming is going to be the sustainable agriculture of the day and need of the hour.
