The conception Organic Agriculture
Organic agriculture is the oldest form of agriculture on earth. In point of fact, the practices associated with organic agriculture have been around since the point in history when people stopped hunting and gathering and took up farming as a means of subsistence. The history of organic food/agriculture can be traced back literally thousands of years. Farming without the use of petroleum-based chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) was the sole option for farmers until post-World War II. The war brought with it technologies that were useful for agricultural production. For example, ammonium nitrate used for munitions during WW II evolved into ammonium nitrate fertilizer; organophosphate nerve gas production led to the development of powerful insecticides. By the 1950s, the industrial agricultural scheme gained predominance in many countries all over the world. The belief was that the use of chemical treatments in process of cultivation crops and growing animals for consumption was efficient and a proper course to enhance agricultural production.
Sir Albert Howard (1873-1947) is regarded by most as the founder and pioneer of today’s organic movement. In 1943, Howard published the book, An Agricultural Testament, in which he described a concept that was to become central to organic farming - the importance of utilizing available waste materials to build and maintain soil fertility and humus content. According to what he called "the Law of Return," he strongly advocated the recycling of all organic waste materials, including sewage sludge, back to farmland. Howard's concept of soil fertility was centered on building soil humus with an emphasis on a "living bridge" between soil life, such as mycorrhizae and bacteria, and how this chain of life from the soil supported the health of crops, livestock and mankind. Although Howard knew that certain nutrients could be severely limiting in some soils, he opposed using chemical fertilizers, but was open to the use of some naturally occurring mineral sources such as pulverized rocks. Howard also paid attention and develop his ideas about plant breeding, irrigation, mycorrhizae root systems, soil aeration, fruit tree cultivation, post-harvest produce transport, weed management, all of them essential points for the organic farming.
Albert Howard had his followers who did a lot of scientific work and trials in their attempt to persuade people that the chemicals used in the treatment and production of food products were having a seriously negative effect on both the environment and on people’s health. In the early 70’s, according to the documented history of organic food/agriculture, a sound movement began. Initially, small number of people took up organic gardening for their own purposes. In time, small scale organic farms began operation. In today’s world, there are now some large scale organic food enterprises producing all types of organic food and related products in many countries around the world. In contemplating the future of organic food/agriculture, most industry analysts believe that organic agriculture is destined for significant expansion over the course of the coming twenty years. Observers believe that more and more people in different points the world over will come to understand the benefits of organic food.
Thus step by step the idea of the organic farming gained a full view. And now the contemporary concept is that Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control, and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity and control pests, excluding or strictly limiting the use of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, plant growth regulators, livestock feed additives, and genetically modified organisms.
Organic agricultural methods are internationally regulated and legally enforced by many nations, based in large part on the standards set by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, an international umbrella organization for organic organizations established in 1972. The overarching goal of organic farming is defined as follows:
"Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved...”