What is organic farming?

Organic farming is a system of

agriculture that uses natural and
biodegradable inputs while deliberately
avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers
What are the main principles of
organic farming?
Principle of health for soil ,plants ,
animals,, human and planet as one and
indivisible
Organic principles
Principle of ecology in agriculture based on
living ecological systems and cycles for
sustainanability
Principle of fairness with regard to common
environment and life opportunities
Principle of care that underlines precautionary
and responsible manner of practising organic
agriculture to protect the environment for current
and future generations
Principle of health for the soil, animals, humans
and planetas one and indivisibble
How does organic agriculture attain
common standards for all farmers?
Thro use of approved standards like the
East African Organic Product Standards
Other methods of attaining
common standards
Participatory Guaranteed System-farmers
in the same group monitor each other to
ensure that everybody complies with the
agreed methods of production
How does organic agriculture help
in conserving the environment?
It uses inputs that dont leave toxic
residues in the soil and general
environment
It promotes biodiversity of crops and
animals to ensure complete and
sustainable ecological systems with each
species complementing the other for
common good of nature and man
It has very strong advocacy arm that fights
for sustainable system of farming that tries
to replicate nature as closely as possible
It encourages recycling of biodegradable
materials e.g. organic matter is composted
to fertilize the soils as well as get rid of
hazardous rotting materials from the
environment

Can organic agriculture feed the
world on its own?
NO! neither can conventional farming.
Feeding the world requires system wide
collaborative approach that incorporates
all systems of farming while taking into
consideration the wider issues of
environment conservation
Why is organic farming relevant to
us in Kenya?
75% of our farmers are small scale
farmers who experience difficulties in
obtaining synthetic agricultural inputs due
to prohibitive prices.
These are the farmers who are mainly
targeted in organic farming so that they
can use resources within their
environment sustainable in their farming
methods
Organic farming in Kenya
Organic farming is reduced cost of inputs
in agriculture, use of compost, natural or
botanical pesticides and other local inputs
have reduced cost and farmers see
organic farming that is affordable and
manageable
It is recycling of organic matter thus
composting and use of compost, farm yard
manure and other forms of organic
fertilizers are important organic farming act
ivies
Organic farming is conservation of
resources; thus soil and water
conservation are essential thro use of
contours.
Organic farming improves soil structure
thro double digging, deep digging and
incorporation of organic matter in the soil
Organic farming increases food production
and alleviates poverty. Thus kitchen
gardening and botanical pest and disease
are essential
It improves livestock production using
balanced feeds, herbal treatment and
keeping the animal according to their
nature
Organic farming is appropriate technology
and home made-do it yourself
technologies that make the farmer self
sufficient
Key areas in organic farming
What to avoid and why
Soil fertility and composting
Diversity of crops, animals or farming systems
Crop Rotations
Basic pest and disease control methods
Ecological issues and sustainability
Post harvest handling, transport, processing etc
Organic indicators-organic foot prints

Out there organic farming is;
Healthy food-
Environment or biodiversity protection
A niche that for organically grown products
which is jealously protected
A business
Advocacy and lobbying on environmental issues
Capacity building by enabling farmers to practice
farming thro self reliance by use of locally
available resources
An opportunity for carbon credit rating
Main constraints in organic farming
Traditional farming system that mine the
soil without adequate measures of soil and
nutrient management and environmental
protection
Lack of land use guidelines for sustainable
natural resource use and conservation
Soil degradation thro ever cultivation,
increased use of synthetic fertilizers, and
pesticides which lead to decline in crop
yield and quality
Promotion of technical packages on land
use and livestock husbandry which is
inappropriate to local situations
Lack of environmental concerns leading to
destruction of natural vegetation due to
shifting from exhausted land units for crop
production e.g. MAU FOREST
Downstream destruction of ecosystems thro
agrochemical leading to water pollution
and its associated implications
Proposed policy framework in
organic farming
Inclusion of significant organic farming
information in teaching and training
institutions e.g. schools and colleges
Increased research both at
public,community and private institutions
Development of local organic markets and
consumer education
Legislation in parliament
Policy guidelines from the Ministry of
Agriculture favoring organic agriculture
and appropriate farming systems
Setting up local organic certification bodies
Value addition that complies with organic
standards
What is the role of government in
organic farming
Formulation of agricultural policies that
recognize and favor organic farming
Facilitate capacity building to organic
farming groups thro funding of training
workshops on organic agriculture
The way forward for organic
agriculture
Policy formulation and legislation
Incorporation of organic agriculture in syllabus at
all levels
Research to improve knowledge and relevant
methods that will enhance productivity
Development of common standards in organic
agriculture
Develop and strengthen local markets and
export
Home processing of organic products