Currently Browsing: Organic Agriculture
Aug 12, 2017
Genetically modified crops… Is it detriment..?
Organic agriculture involve natural methods such as crop rotation, biological pest control, compost etc. Genetically modified crops are a result of recombinant DNA technology or genetic engineering. Genes of commercial interest are transferred from one organism (also between non-related species) to another. Recombinant DNA technology allows plant breeders to generate superior plant varieties by bringing in useful genes from a wide range of living organisms in one plant. Foreign genes are introduced into plant genomes through two methods. The first is the Gene Gun method wherein DNA to be introduced into the plant cells is coated onto tiny particles, which are then physically shot onto plant cells. Some of the DNA comes off whereas most of the DNA gets incorporated into the genome of recipient plant. The second method uses the bacterium to introduce the gene(s) of interest into the plant DNA. This is commonly referred to as microbial genetics. Genetically modified crops have their genes altered in a way that does not occur naturally by pollination and or natural recombination. The natural process of pollination and or natural recombination falls under the category of genetics. Genetically modified crops are produced and marketed because of their benefits to both the producer and consumer. The potential benefits include higher crop yields, higher durability and nutritional value of the crops, reduced farm costs and increased farm profit. Genetically modified crops include rice enriched with iron, vitamin A, and E, and lysine, potatoes with higher starch content and inulin, allergen-free nuts, healthier oils from soybean and canola and maize with low phytic acid, increased essential amino acids. Such plants also have increased the level of crop protection through increased tolerance towards herbicides or resistance against diseases caused by insects or viruses. The safety assessment of genetically modified foods mostly measures parameters such as toxicity, allergenicity, the stability of the inserted gene, nutritional value and any unintended effects that could result from the gene insertion. The potential risks of genetically modified crops include unintentionally introducing allergens and other anti nutritional factors in foods, toxins affecting non-target organisms, pests evolving resistance to the toxins produced by genetically modified crops, and a likelihood of transgenes escaping from cultivated crops into wild relatives. Gene transfer from genetically modified foods to cells of the bacteria in human gastrointestinal tract would adversely affect human health, which is particularly relevant if antibiotic resistance genes get... read more
Jan 22, 2016
The Newest Trends In Organic Farming
Back in the day, people used to believe that an apple a day would keep the doctor away. However, since many pesticides are used in agriculture, people now prefer to purchase foods that are produced by means of organic farming. Even in organic farming, there are some news trends that have come up and are making waves around the world. Here is a rundown of the same. Budgeting during penny-pinching times The economy is recovering even today from the effects of the recession of 2008 and the farmers are still going for organic farming during penny-pinching times as these. This is because of the rise of GMO foods in the market that has triggered the need for foods that are safer to consume. Moreover, parents are buying organically produced foods more than ever. Moreover, buying these foods keeps the costs of food for consumers down all the time. Seeking sustainable packaging Packaging should be sustainable and farmers are struggling to find materials to package foods they produce that would neither harm the health of the consumers nor damage the foods. The need for sustainable packaging is ever growing and farmers are trying to use such materials to package the foods that they have produced to sell to the consumers. Also, farmers are trying to create such packaging themselves at home. Concern over chemicals If farmers do not use chemicals or pesticides, pests are likely to damage the produce. However, the latest trend in organic farming is the complete avoidance of the use of chemicals and pesticides, which would otherwise harm the health of the consumers. This is why farmers are only sowing seeds and watering the plants while using natural fertilisers and pesticides as compared to the use of artificial pesticides, fertilisers, etc. Moreover, since chemicals can cause cancer, farmers are even more... read more
Jul 18, 2013
Why should we buy organic food?
Organic farming is one of the oldest forms of farming and is promoted highly these days. The increasing population and need of food products gave rise to inorganic farming. To meet the needs of today’s people, farmers started doing inorganic farming to yield huge returns. Does anybody know the drawbacks and side effects of inorganic farming? Organic farming is involved with using heavy dose of pesticides and fertilizers to protect the plants from worms and insects. The pests and insects reduce the life of the plant which results in low production and yield. Hence, to meet the needs of today’s population, the agriculture industry is taking help of a variety of tools, sprays, pesticides and other things. But, one should not forget that the food produced by inorganic farming is not good for health and may be sometimes life threatening. The people may get sufficient food, but there is no guarantee that the inorganic food is good for health. To increase the production of the crop, farmers can use a variety of organic methods. The farmers should be made aware of all the organic farming techniques that help them in producing healthy and tasty food. There are plenty of organizations and firms that help the farmers in knowing about different techniques of agriculture. One such platform is kisanhelp.com that makes the agricultural knowledge available to the farmers whenever required. These firms monitor the latest advances and developments in the agricultural industry and provide them to the farmers who are I need. Most of the times it happens that the farmers are not aware of the updates and latest farming methods due to lack of proper medium. Kisanhelp.com is that medium that provides the farmers with all the updated information in the field of farming and agriculture. By considering the importance of organic firm, a number of government agencies and organizations are coming ahead to promote organic farming. One of the best ways to promote organic farming is by buying only organic food. The organic products are grown in an eco-friendly environment and support the local farmers; one should always try to buy organic food products. By buying organic food products you will be playing a major role in making your environment safe and makes our planet free from different kinds of toxins. Also, by buying organic products the farmers are less exposed to the toxins and poisonous chemicals, which reduce the risk of various diseases and disorders in people... read more
May 21, 2013
Steps to increase the crop production
India is one of the countries where agriculture is the primary occupation. There is a vast agricultural land that is capable of producing a variety of crops, fruits and vegetables. But, are the farmers really getting satisfactory outputs. Are there any organizations that help the farmers in getting productive results? The answer to this question is, there are hundreds of agricultural organizations in India that help farmers in increasing their production. These companies suggest the farmers’ different cropping techniques that improve the production capabilities of their fields. Kisanhelp.com is one such website that helps the farmers of different parts of the world to increase their production. Farmers from across different parts of the world can take the help of the professionals who have a great experience in aiding the farmers. There are a number of components that have been introduced in agriculture in recent years. Using the latest tools and techniques, one can yield huge returns. One such method to boost the crop production is using agro chemicals and fertilizers. There is a periodical explosion of worms, insects and pests that damages the crops in a great quantity. All these are treated as disease transmitters in different parts of the world and have made agriculture less productive. Due to this, the farmers felt a great need of techniques that protect the crop for high returns. According to researchers, there is a great loss in crops due to the insects and pests. If this is controlled, it will yield huge returns. Another method to improve the productivity of the crop is by using different farming techniques. Strip-till is one of the popular farming techniques that warms that soil better and boosts up the crop production. This method of farming has changes in recent years and farmers are using latest equipments for this. Cover crop farming is another method of farming that is used by a number of farmers. This method is also known as green manures, as it provides necessary nectar and pollen for the next crop. Fertilization is another important method to improve the crop productivity. Fertilization is the technique of making the soil more nutrient and beneficial for the crops. For timely reproduction, the crops need more nutrients as well as minerals. Due to unfavorable environmental conditions, the soils lose their nutrients, which reduce the capacity of the crops. Hence, one can increase the productivity of the crops by adopting different fertilization... read more
May 21, 2013
Organic agriculture and its importance
Organic agriculture is involved with the natural methods like crop rotation, biological pest control, compost etc. In the process of organic farming, the farmers use fertilizers as well as pesticides by following the dosage limitations strictly. There are different kinds of organic farming systems. The common forms of organic farming include – permaculture, biodynamic farming, Do nothing farming, no-till farming etc. All these techniques involve cultivation using minimum mechanical equipments. There are a number of techniques that are well suited for organic cropping. In organic farming farmers are required to use traditional farming techniques along with some latest technology. Moreover, the organic farming techniques are based on biological processes and usually come under the field of agro ecology. There are a number of websites that help the farmers in understanding different farming techniques. Kissanhelp.com is one such website that helps the farmers who are facing issues related to farming and agricultural issues. In the current scenario, organic agriculture can be said to be practiced by more than 100 countries in the world. The policy makers are also promoting organic farming for reasons like – sustaining rural economy, improving soil health, creating good environment etc. In India, organic farming has been in practice for decades. Organic farming is of great importance and there are a number of benefits of organic farming. Some of the benefits can be explained as below – The food items that are grown by the methods of organic farming are tastier and healthier. The most important nutrients that humans get from fruits, vegetable and other food items are – calcium, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins etc. Organic farming preserves the nutrients of the food item, which makes us healthier. In the conservative farming, lot of pesticides and fertilizers are used to protect the crop. But, the amount of pesticides used in this kind of farming is very high. Due to this, the humans also get affected to the pesticides. There are a number of pesticides that are highly dangerous for humans. In organic farming, the usage of pesticides is very limited and hence, people who consume the food items produced from organic farming are at low risk. Organic farming relies on the breakdown of soil management. Different techniques are used to preserve the nutrients that are taken by the previous crops. Organic farming is very cost effective compared to the conservative farming. Moreover, this farming is not very tiresome, time taking and difficult. Hence, the food produced from... read more
