Organic Agriculture

Organic agriculture is a method of producing crops without synthetically derived chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Indeed, soil fertility is the central goal of organic farming, as healthy soil produces abundant crops and diminishes the occurrence of pests. Preemptive measures focusing on soil quality are the main way that organic farmers reduce the need for chemical inputs.

Organic farmers use techniques such as crop rotation (changing the crops grown in a field each season) to build healthy fertile soil that has fewer pest problems. Organic farming techniques may also include the use of beneficial insects such as ladybugs to destroy crop-eating aphids. Likewise, companion cropping of certain plants together helps ward off pests.

Organic farming is also based on diversity: Growing a large number of crops both for ...