Agroecology and Crop Science

Organic Farming

Organic farming is a technique of crop and livestock production which involves cultivation of plants and rearing of animals in natural ways. Organic farming is another agricultural system which began early in the 20th Century. An organic farm, properly speaking, is not one that uses certain approach and substances and avoids others; the independence and the benign dependence of an organism. Organic farming methods combine scientific knowledge of ecology. Organic farming methods are studied around agro ecology. The principal approach of organic farming includes crop rotation, green manures and compost and biological pest control.

The world market place for organic food has grown for over 15 years. Growth of retail sales in North America is predicted to be 10% to 20%per year during the next subsequent few years. The retail organic food market in Canada is estimated at over $1.5 billion in 2008 and $22.9 billion within the U.S.A. in 2008. It is estimated that imported products make up over 70 % of the organic food consumed in Canada (North American nation). Canada also exports several organic products, particularly soybeans and grains.