Unit 4 Modern Transition to organic crop production

he transition to organic farming refers to the process of converting a conventional farming system into one that adheres to the principles and practices of organic agriculture. This shift involves a gradual adoption of organic methods, including natural inputs, soil fertility management, biodiversity enhancement, and environmentally sustainable practices. The transition period is critical as it sets the foundation for long-term success in organic farming, but it can also present significant challenges.

Key Steps in the Transition to Organic Farming:
Planning and Research:

Farmers must first understand the organic farming standards and certification requirements specific to their region.
Research into local organic methods, crop varieties, and suitable organic inputs is essential.
A transition plan is typically developed, outlining the timeline, goals, and strategies for converting to organic practices.
Soil Preparation and Health:

A major focus during the transition is improving soil health through organic practices.
Farmers will start using organic fertilizers like compost and green manure to build soil fertility.
Soil testing is often conducted to identify nutrient deficiencies or imbalances, helping farmers adjust their practices.
Phasing Out Synthetic Inputs:

One of the first steps is discontinuing the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
Farmers must find organic alternatives for pest control, weed management, and fertilization, such as biological control agents, organic mulches, and compost.
Adoption of Organic Practices:

Farmers implement key organic farming techniques like crop rotation, cover cropping, composting, and intercropping.
Practices that support biodiversity, such as planting hedgerows and encouraging natural habitats, are also adopted to enhance ecological balance.
Livestock management (if applicable) is aligned with organic principles, such as using organic feed and providing access to pasture.
Learning and Adjusting to New Challenges:

Farmers need to adapt to new pest, disease, and weed management strategies without the use of conventional agrochemicals.
Weed control, in particular, can become labor-intensive, as organic systems typically rely on mechanical and cultural methods rather than chemical herbicides.
Crop yields may initially decline during the transition as the soil ecosystem adjusts to organic methods.
Certification Process:

Organic certification is a critical part of the transition process. Farmers need to work with certifying bodies to ensure compliance with organic standards.
There is a transition period—often 2-3 years—before a farm can be certified as organic. During this time, farmers must follow organic practices, but their crops cannot yet be labeled as organic.
Recordkeeping is essential, documenting inputs, field activities, and production processes to demonstrate adherence to organic standards.
Market Transition and

1. KONGUNADU COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Autonomous) Department of Agriculture Engineering Course: ORGANIC FARMING FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION Unit 4 :Modern Transition to organic crop production By Mr. M.Sundharan , Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Kongunadu College of Engineering and Technology

2. Organic Farming for Sustainable Agricultural Production Lecture 29 : Introduction on Transition to Organic crop Production

3. Why transition to organic? Studies of farmers practicing organic farming for many years found the following common reasons: effects of chemicals on health effects of conventional farming on soil quality and conservation dissatisfaction with conventional farming practices decline in family farms and rural communities opportunity to improve farm profitability

4. Considerations for transitioning to Organic Systems Organic crop systems can be more labor- and management-intensive than conventional cropping systems. Keeping ahead of weed, insect and disease problems through observation, monitoring, identification and a timely response is the most efficient management strategy an organic producer can use. Transitioning to organic farming takes time and patience. Depending on the farming system, the crops produced and the transition approach, it can take three to five years to convert to an organic system. Crop yields may decline during the initial transition period until a balance in the system is reached, but with time, yields will rebound. Some vegetable and fruit crops are easier than others to grow organically. For a successful transition, begin with crops that are easier to produce organically. After gaining experience, begin adding more difficult crops in subsequent seasons.

5. Gradual Transition Where one class of inputs is withdrawn at a time, slowly discontinuing the use of synthetic inputs while introducing organic management practices into the system. This approach requires a longer transition time but can minimize yield losses during the conversion. One Field at a Time It involves using organic management practices on a portion of your farm, converting to organic production part by part over time. This approach provides the opportunity to gain experience with organic production methods on a more manageable scale before converting the entire farm and minimizing risk. Whole Farm Where the use of all synthetic inputs is discontinued on the entire farm all at once. T ransition App r oaches

6. What is the transition period? For land to be eligible for organic certification, prohibited substances must not be applied to the land for a period of three years immediately preceding harvest of the crop. Growers with little or no farm experience will find the transition to organic the most difficult. A primary consideration is the need for technical production information. As with any new business, there are many factors to consider to ensure success. A strong business plan ensures a sound approach. A business plan describes: who you are? what you plan to achieve? what you are going to produce? how and when you expect to get started? how you will overcome the risks involved? what are the estimated returns?

7. What do the organic standards require? During transition, production must meet all of the many standards requirements , including the following. The land must be managed as organic for 36 months prior to the first organic harvest and during the last 12 months of this period, it must be under the supervision of an organic certification body (i.e. that the farm has been reviewed and approved as a transitional organic farm). The goal of the enterprise must be for a complete transition of its production. Parallel production of the same product is not allowed. Parallel production is where the same crop is produced both organically and non-organically. Contd.

8. Production units must have distinctly-defined boundaries . Boundaries must be readily visible and defined on a map. Buffer zones between organic and non-organic production must be at least eight metres wide and this production may not be used or sold as organic. This can include permanent hedgerows, windbreaks, permanent roads or physical barriers. Production units cannot alternate between being organic and non-organic production. If you have a problem with a field it cannot be rotated between organic and non-organic. What do the organic standards require?

9. Steps to transition 1. Knowledge Before transitioning to organic do the research to understand the benefits and risks that organic production and sales may have for your farm. Gain the knowledge needed for field production, on-farm processing and marketing of the crop. Set goals for the farm. Learn the organic standards for the organic production of your crops. Understand the differences between your previous production experiences (usually in conventional farming ) and your expectations in organic. What assets and resources are needed for transition on your farm? Use consultants or seek out other experienced people in the sector for advice. Do not underestimate the knowledge step. In many cases it will take several years to do the appropriate research.

10. 2. Make a Plan Organic standards require an “Organic Plan” outlining the details of transition, production, preparation, handling and management practices. Update the plan annually and include record keeping to ensure product traceability. In many cases this plan becomes a major part of the application for certification. A good plan outlines all aspects of the operation, both existing and planned. Include expected crop rotations, tillage plans, weed, insect, disease and other pest considerations, and include field maps and aerial photographs where available. Also include equipment and facility needs, including the expected improvements and related timelines. Determine how the crop will be marketed and the market requirements for the crop before planting. This includes what product, potential buyers, expected price, etc. If you do not know where to sell it – don’t plant it! The plan should set reasonable expectations for normal situations and be flexible enough to accommodate changes due to weather or other conditions beyond the grower’s control.

11. 3. Land For long-term planning decide which crops are to be grown organically based on market opportunities, on- farm needs such as livestock feeds and soil management needs, including rotations and cover crops. In the short term decide which crops to grow during the transition to organic. High value annual crops, such as most vegetables, usually have high requirements for management and inputs for fertility and pest management. There is also often a high risk of lower marketable crop yields during transition and this can be a significant financial risk. These crops are often not suited for the transition years. High value perennial crops such as fruit trees often are not harvested in the first couple of years after planting. Take care to manage pest issues during the transition that may be more difficult than in non-organic Legume and forage crops are often best for the transition years since they cost less to establish and generally have lower demands for nutrients and pest management. Many are also soil improving crops (legumes – nitrogen; grasses – fine roots for soil structure, etc).

12. 4. Inputs (seed, nutrients and pest management) Seeds: Organic seed and planting stock must be used if available. If organic seed and planting stock is not commercially available, the following options (in order of preference) may be permitted with documentation that organic seed is not available: seed grown only with substances in accordance with organic standards ( can be from transition fields ) non-organic untreated seed and planting stock non-organic perennial planting stocks may be used provided such plants have been maintained in accordance with the organic standards for at least one year prior to harvest of the organic products

13. Submit complete application and fees Initial review of your application Initial Review Letter : Requests clarification, lists the records to have ready for inspection. Inspector assigned. Inspection Day! Inspection Report received back to the office Final Review and Certification Decision Decision Letter : Gives reminders, possible questions or items still needed before decision. Identifies any areas of noncompliance, if applicable. Certificate issued, pending further information, or denied if information not received Annual Certification Process

14. Organic Farming for Sustainable Agricultural Production Lecture 30: Crop planning and rotation design in organic system

15. Crop rotation is “system of growing different kinds of crops in recurrent succession on the same land” It may include 2-6 different crops with each crops having a particular benefit either financial or environment Crops my be rotated every year or at different times in the growing season Many crop rotations will include a legume Examp l e of Crop r o ta t io n : Rotate Soy b eans (legu m e ) – Corn- wheat Introduction to Crop rotation

16. Why Rotate Crops ? According to “Cereal-Legume Cropping Systems: Enhance soil and water conservation, build soil organic matter Provide weed, disease and insect control Enhance biological diversity Ensure economic profitability for the farming system

17. Relation of soil quality to the types of crops that predominate in the rotation Soil fertility complex in relation to external factors

18. Quality production as a function of crop rotation

19. Follow a legume crop with a high nitrogen demanding crops Grow less nitrogen demanding crops in the initial phase of rotation Try to grow a deep- rooted crops as a part of rotation Grow the same annual crop for only one year Use crop sequence that promote healthier crops Use crop sequence that aid in controlling weeds Grow some crops that will leave significance amount of residue Crop selection in rotation

20. Include the use of cover crops to provide fertility, control weeds and provide habitat for beneficial insects; Have a diversity of plant species to encourage natural predators, discourage pest and disease build-up, and minimize economic and environmental risk; Provide a balance between soil conservation and crop production by adding organic matter to the soil to both supply nutrients and improve soil quality properties such as water infiltration and water holding capacity and Provide weed control by alternating between warm and cool weather plants and including weed inhibiting plants (such as rye and sorghum). Condition for Successful Crop rotations

21. Common Goals for Crop Rotation Maintain healthy soil by adding nitrogen and other nutrients in a way that is environmentally safe and conforms with regulations Produce nutritious food. Capture solar energy wherever possible Control insects and diseases, especially soilborne diseases; for example, “Break the wilt cycle among crops in the tomato family.” Reduce weed pressure; for example, “Manage the rotation to confuse the weeds.” Minimize off-farm inputs Provide economic stability. Maintain biotic diversity Unlock the living potential of the soil. Diversify tasks to keep labor happy and productive all season. Balance the needs of the farm with the needs of the farmer and develop a spiritual relationship with the land. Refine the aesthetic quality of fields and farm Increase profitability having a diverse line of products to market.

22. Farm size affects cover cropping and the management of the crop rotation. Organic farmers plant cover crops to protect the soil, increase soil organic matter, improve soil physical properties, and accumulate nutrients. Cover crops may also provide habitat for beneficial insects or help crowd out weeds. Most expert farmers integrate cover crops into their fields at every opportunity. Many expert farmers use a full year of cover crops to restore the soil after intensive use. Farmers with limited acreage (<5 acres) find that including cover crops and providing adequate rotation of crop families on a given field is challenging. Many smaller farms rely on mulch, compost, and short-term winter cover crops in place of multi-season cover crops. Farm Size, Cover Crops, and Crop Rotations

23. Low Medium High Beans Cucumber Broccoli Beet Brinjal Cabbage Carrots Pumpkin Cauliflower Peas Spinach Lettuce Radish Sweet potato Potato Water melon Tomato Brassica greens Sweet Corn Ranking of annual vegetables based on relative nutrient requirements Source: A.A. Hanson Practical Handbook of Agricultural science (Boca Raton FL: Taylor & francis group LLC 1990)

24. Shallow rooted (60 cm) Moderately deep rooted (90 cm) Deep rooted (120 cm) Very deep rooted (180 cm) Rice Groundnut Cotton Safflower Onion Tobacco Maize Citrus Cabbage Wheat Sorghum Grapevine Cauliflower Chilli Pearlmillet Coffee Potato French bean Soybean lucern Lettuce Carrot Sugarcane Arhar Rooting depth for several crops

25. Schematic Summary of Crop rotation Planning Many expert farmers do extensive planning and record keeping on paper. Most have some form of field maps. Some use computers. A few keep all details in their heads. Most of the panel farmers agreed that farmers should write down their field records and plans. Many of the key responsibilities and tasks require reflection and observation as well as information. The chart illustrates the central role of rotation in the overall farming operation. The chart does not cover all aspects of farm management—only those that the farmers thought were most important in determining the rotation and that are linked to rotation management.

26. Examples of Crop rotation in India

27. Organic Farming for Sustainable Agricultural Production Lecture 31: Crop planning and rotation design in organic system (Contd.)

28. Schematic Summary of Crop rotation Planning Many expert farmers do extensive planning and record keeping on paper. Most have some form of field maps. Some use computers. A few keep all details in their heads. Most of the panel farmers agreed that farmers should write down their field records and plans. Many of the key responsibilities and tasks require reflection and observation as well as information. The chart illustrates the central role of rotation in the overall farming operation. The chart does not cover all aspects of farm management—only those that the farmers thought were most important in determining the rotation and that are linked to rotation management.

29. Ten Most Important Tasks Maintain crops. Implement production plan. Prepare soils as soon as weather permits. Plant crops timely Walk fields regularly to observe crops and fields. Review overall farm operation. Draft annual [rotation] plans. Monitor soil and crop conditions. Adjust actions according to field and crop conditions. Identify problems that can be addressed through rotation. Ten Most Difficult Tasks Assess profitability on a whole-farm and crop-by- crop basis. Maintain crops. Assess pest, disease, and weed pressures. Investigate new market opportunities. Review overall farm operation. Review regulations. Analyze weather probabilities. Determine if successes or failures were due to on- farm or regional factors. Develop collaborations to verify successes and solve problems. Tweak the crop mix. Key responsibilities and tasks involved in “managing a crop rotation system”

30. Effects of Rotation Crops Studies have shown that organic matter losses from intensively tilled row crops can be regained when the field is rotated into a perennial sod crop. Two processes : First, the rapid rate of organic matter decomposition from tillage is stopped under the sod crop. This benefit, of course, is also gained when a no-tillage cropping system is employed. Second, grass and legume sods develop extensive root systems that continually grow and die off. The dead roots supply a source of fresh, active organic matter to the soil, which feeds soil organisms that are involved in building soil aggregation.

31. The design of crop rotation experiments depends strongly on the specific objectives of these experiments. Flexibility : There is often a need to change management and include new aspects or investigations over the course of the experiment. Changes should be kept at an absolute minimum within a rotation course, and only introduced for each new course of the rotation. Reference: A static part (treatment) as a reference is desirable for documentation. However, even the static part should be changed/adjusted when it gets too academic. Scale: Plots/fields should be as large as possible. Time: Often long time periods from time of conversion are required for interpretation even in low budget years. Designing crop rotation experiments

32. Design : A factorial design should be used, but kept simple (from the beginning, at least). An example of the effect of such a factorial design on statistical tests is given by Olesen et al. (1999). Management : Detailed guidelines on the practical management of the crops and plots should be formulated in order to minimise effects of change in management over time. Management staff often a needs to learn the functions of the rotation, before proper experimentation can start. Minimum dataset: A protocol for a minimum dataset should be set up based on existing standards. This has to be absolutely minimal in order to achieve funding

33. Differences in Crop Nutrient Uptake Crop nutrient uptake varies due to many factors, including rooting depth and breadth; variety; and environmental factors, including soil tilth. Generally, crops may be characterized as having low, medium, or high nutrient demands based on their nutrient uptake efficiency Different varieties within any crop may be more or less efficient at taking up nutrients. Those crops with a high nutrient demand (predominately N) require higher levels of those nutrients to be present in the soil solution. contd

34. Organic Transition Economics Step 1: develop a transition production plan… Example – You inherited a 240-acre farm. It is currently in a corn-soybean rotation. You want to transition into organics. You decide to transition field-by-field. For simplicity, Assume you can divide the 240 acres into 4, 60-acre fields. And you will be producing conventional and transitioning crops on the same farm. Step 2: To determine profitability, let’s shift to a budget-driven decision tool… (keep in mind this is a test model…) Step 3: Evaluate - Is it profitable to transition to organics from conventional agriculture?

35. Field Plan Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr6 Field 1 Conv Corn Conv Sb Conv Corn Legume T rans Alfalfa Field 2 Conv Sb Conv Corn Trans Oats Legume Organic Corn Field 3 Conv Corn Trans Oats Legume Organic Corn Organic Sb Field 4 Trans Oats Legume Organic Corn Organic Sb Organic Oats

36. Planning of the crop rotation includes looking backwards and forwards in time

37. Organic Farming for Sustainable Agricultural Production Lecture 32 : Integrated Farming System and Urban Agriculture

38. In IFS, the farm resources are allocated to the needs and priorities of the farmers in his local circumstances which depends on: Climatic condition such as quantity and distribution of rainfall, temperature, humidity, sunshine hours, etc Soil type and topography Market opportunities, economic, institutional and infrastructure facilities and technology Integrated Farming System (IFS) represents an appropriate combination of farm enterprises viz. Cropping systems, horticulture, livestock, fishery, forestry, poultry and the means available to the farmers to raise them for profitability. It interacts adequately with environment without dislocating the ecological and socio-economic balance on one hand and attempt to meet the national goal on the other. The IFS in its real sense will help in different ways to lift the economy of agriculture and standard of living of the farmers of the country as a whole. What is Integrated Farming System???

39. To ensure income throughout the year, there is need to reorient the present ways of agricultural practices and develop suitable multi-enterprise agricultural system for farmers, as single crop production enterprises are subject to a high risk of natural calamities, irregular and uncertain income and employment of the farmers. Shifting from single to integrated multi-enterprise system will help to conserve natural resources and restore the farmer’s confidence in agriculture besides increasing income of the farmer per unit land and water. The governing idea behind multi-enterprise agriculture system is that a farmer can adopt enterprises such as dairy, horticulture, floriculture, bee keeping, vegetable, poultry, duckery, piggery, mushroom, fisheries, bio-gas plant and solar heater etc. The entire philosophy of multi- enterprise farming system revolves efficient utilization of resources, time and family labor while attaining food and nutritional security of poor farmers. Why IFS?

40. Cyclic The IFS is essentially cyclic (organic resources – livestock – land – crops). Therefore, management decisions related to one component may affect the other. Efficient use of resources Using crop residues and organic waste more rationally is an important activity in IFS. For resource-poor farmers, the correct management of organic waste, together with an optimal allocation of scarce resources, leads to sustainable production. Eco-sustainable and economic viable Combining ecological sustainability and economic viability, the IFS maintains and improves agricultural productivity while also reducing negative environmental impacts. Key principles of IFS

41. It should formulate location specific models involving main and allied enterprises for different farming situations. It should ensure optimal utilization and conservation of natural resources with efficient recycling within each system for sustainable production. It should raise the net return of the farm household by complementing main activity with allied enterprises. It should concentrate on developing institutional and market linkages by inclusions of new interventional technologies. It should address the nutritional insecurity of resource poor farmers, vulnerability and poverty of landless labourers. Objectives of IFS

42. Out line of I FS

43. Recycling of resources Improves the soil fertility & health Reduction in production costs Decreases farm input requirements Efficient utilization of family labour Reduction in animal feeding requirements Minimize the use of chemical fertilizers Provides balanced nutritious food for the farmers Solves the energy problems with biogas Enhance employment generation Pollution free environment Increasing economic yield per unit area Multiple income sources and family income support Improves the status & livelihood of the farmer Benefits of IFS

44. IFS in Upland Ecosystem Crop component Livestock component Intercropping: Sunflower + Cowpea, Maize + Green gram Fodder crops cow Goat Farming Poultry

45. Urban Agricultu r e Hydroponics Vertical farming

46. Hyd r opo n ics Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without using soil (soil less culture) This technique uses a mineral nutrient solution in a water solvent, allowing the nutrient uptake process to be more efficient than when using soil. Hydroponic growing allows a clean and controlled environment.

47. Why Hydroponics? Does not require soil, can be done in homes Crops grow at a fast pace than in soil Require very less amount of water Zero use of pesticides No problem of weeds Can be adopted easily in the concept of vertical farming

48. Nutrient Solutions in Hydroponics Organic system Nutrients Vermicompost Vermi wash pH 6.9 6.9 Organic carbon (%) 14.1 - N (%) 1.6 0.05 P (%) 0.98 0.003 K (%) 1.1 0.06 Fe (ppm) 11200 0.20 Cu (ppm) 38.0 0.12 Zn (ppm) 180 0.13 Mn (ppm) 1290 213

49. Why Vertical Farming? In 2050 about 80% of world population will be around Urban Centers + 3 Billion more People. About 70% of all fresh water is used in irrigation for traditional agriculture. However water is going to be limited for future agricultural production , so also the land area for farming. Multi-storeyed buildings growing different crops at each floor. Integrated assembly line including: seed sorting facilities and distribution. Continuous planting system including monitoring growth and harvesting. Creating a 'miniature eco-system' that acts to enable the urban population to manufacture and produce food locally.

50. Systems Used in Vertical Farming Hydroponics-Cultivation of plant through continuous flow of oxygenated, nutrient rich water. Float Stem- aquaponics - combine hydroponics and aquaculture. Aeroponics- exposes roots, nutrient rich mist pumped into air chamber