Organics, not just a scheme: The production system that will save our soils.

Organics is not just a scheme. It is a system of farming carried out according to a set of standards derived from EU legislation.

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 good quality of life for all involved [1].

Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones. It is a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock and people. The principal goal of organic production is to develop enterprises that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment [2].

This means producing food in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible way, by focusing on soil regeneration, water conservation and animal welfare and minimising the known negative or reasonably possible impacts.

Organic certification practices include promoting biodiversity by growing a variety of crops, preventing soil erosion and improving soil quality, conserving energy, protecting wildlife, stream banks and watersheds, as well as avoiding the use of synthetic or artificially produced insecticides, herbicides, fertilisers or GMOs (genetically modified, transgenic organisms).

What does an agricultural product need to be approved for use in organic farming?

Producing organically means respecting the rules on organic farming. These rules are designed based on general and specific principles to promote environmental protection, maintain the biodiversity of Europe and build consumer trust in organic products. These regulations govern all areas of organic production and are based on a number of key principles, such as:

• prohibition of the use of GMOs;
• forbidding the use of ionising radiation;
• limiting the use of artificial fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides;
• prohibiting the use of hormones and restricting the use of antibiotics to only when necessary for animal health.

One of the objectives in organic production is to reduce the use of external inputs. Any substance used in organic agriculture to fight pests or plant diseases must be pre-approved by the European Commission.

Additionally, specific principles guide the approval of external inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and food additives so that only substances and compounds listed as approved in specific legislation can be used in organic production.

Processed food shall be produced mainly from agricultural ingredients only (added water and cooking salt are not taken into account). They may also contain:

• ?preparations of micro-organisms and enzymes, mineral trace elements, additives, processing aids and flavourings, vitamins, as well as amino acids and other micronutrients added to foodstuffs for specific nutritional purposes can be used but only when authorised under organic rules;
• substances and techniques which reconstitute properties that are lost in processing or storage, that correct any negligence in the processing, or that otherwise may be misleading on the true nature or the products, shall not be used [3].

Conventional agriculture vs Organic agriculture

The essential difference between organic and conventional farming is that conventional farming relies on chemical intervention to fight pests and weeds and provide plant nutrition. That means synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Organic farming relies on natural principles like biodiversity and composting instead to produce healthy, abundant food.

Conventional and organic farming methods have different consequences on the environment and people. Conventional agriculture causes increased greenhouse gas emissions, soil erosion, water pollution, and threatens human health. Organic farming has a smaller carbon footprint, conserves and builds soil health, replenishes natural ecosystems for cleaner water and air, all without toxic pesticide residues.

The main reasons farmers state for wanting to farm organically are their concerns for the environment and about working with agricultural chemicals in conventional farming systems. There is also an issue with the amount of energy used in agriculture, since many farm chemicals require energy intensive manufacturing processes that rely heavily on fossil fuels [4].

Organic farmers find their method of farming to be profitable and personally rewarding.

Green Universe solutions: optimal crop yield + profitability

Green Universe Agrogroup has a clear mission of helping, we have a wide portfolio of products suitable for organic farming. Our differential factor are our high performance microbials PGPR. We have been identifying, researching and developing our own bank of microbial strains for more than 15 years. We have carefully selected unique Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) with strong direct growth promotion effects and the capacity to induce systemic resistance and provide natural immunity.

Our portfolio of Microbial solutions is designed to offer a solution to every need and challenge in any crop and to always seek optimal crop yield and profitability.

?If you are seeking help to enter the world of organic farming, do not hesitate in getting in touch with us: https://en.greenuniverse.es/contact-us/

[1] FOAM General Assembly, 2008

[2] Government of Ontario, https://omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/09-077.htm

[3] European Comission, Agriculture and rural development, https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu

[4] Government of Ontario, https://omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/09-077.htm