Organic farming is a farming system that considers potential social and environmental dangers caused by the use of synthetic inputs during farming. Synthetic inputs such as pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives, irradiation, additives, veterinary drugs and genetically modified seeds and breeds can all be harmful to the environment. In order to prevent the environment from being harmed by these synthetic materials, organic farming is practiced. It manages the farming process and implements practices that maintain and increases soil fertility and prevent pests and diseases.
Organic farming affects the environment in many different ways. One of the main aspects focused on is the soil. Practices such as crop rotations, cover crops and inter-cropping are practiced which improves the formation and structure of the soil thus increasing the nutrient in the soil and therefore removes the use of synthetic mineral fertilizers. These practices also prevent soil erosion.
Another major aspect that organic farming focuses on is the non-pollution of water. In many agriculture areas, the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides pollutes the groundwater. Since that organic farming promotes the use of organic fertilizers instead of synthetic fertilizers, the risk of groundwater becoming polluted is greatly reduced. (more...)

