1|Page

Organic Crop Farming

Arable farmers today are facing considerable challenges in running a profitable business. In recent months they have seen unprecedented price rises in their main
operating costs such as fuel, fertiliser, and energy. No farming enterprise has been able to avoid the impact of these soaring prices. In addition, they have been
affected by a shortage of seasonal workers to operate efficiently through the harvest season, extreme weather events caused by climate change and a reduction in the
price paid for their produce. Farmers are having to reduce their costs and adapt their business models in response to these challenges. Some are considering
diversifying away from conventional farming to organic farming. This would reduce their reliance on expensive artificial fertilisers and the fuel costs involved with
spreading them across their fields. Organic methods of crop production offer a solution to these problems, but it is not by any means a simple solution and requires
careful consideration and planning.

What is Organic Farming? Organic farmland is increasing at a rate of 5% every year with all continents
seeing rapid growth. Over seventy-eight million hectares are farmed
Organic farming is also known as ecological farming. It is an agricultural organically which is over 1.6% of all agricultural land. Over half of this land
system of cultivating land to produce food using natural substances and is in the Oceania region (thirty-eight million hectares), followed by Europe
processes. Crops are nurtured and grown without the use of synthetic (twenty million hectares) and Latin America (twelve million hectares). The
fertilisers and pesticides. Organic techniques include: global retail market for organic food is also showing rapid growth.
Consumers are becoming more aware of environmental issues and the
★ biological pest control numerous health benefits associated with a natural diet. Many perceive
★ companion planting organic food to be higher quality with rich nutritional value and multiple
★ crop rotation health benefits. As a result of increased public demand total sales in the
★ fostering natural insect predators organic food market exceeded 126 billion Euros last year. The following
★ mixed crops for pest control table shows this retail growth:
★ natural fertilisers such as compost and green manure.
Growth in organic retail sales (million €)
There are sound environmental reasons and ecological benefits to organic Region 2010
farming. This uses sustainable techniques which benefit the wildlife, protect Africa 0.28
the environment and conserve natural resources. Healthy and fertile soil helps Asia 1902.24
build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Organic farms release fewer Europe 20413.85
greenhouse gas emissions and are more energy efficient, using 45% less Latin America 14.37
energy than conventional farms. North America 20184.78
Oceania 742.44
World Total 43257.97
There are 3.4 million organic producers in 190 countries with the largest
number in India. Swiss consumers spent the most per person on organic food
and Denmark continues to have the highest organic market share with 13% of
its total food market.
Growth in Organic Farming
Guide Produced by: Irudini Silva LK153 0523
 2|Page

Organic Certification A physical barrier such as a road, hedge or a 10-metre

buffer zone must separate organic farmland from
The labelling and marketing of organic food products is strictly controlled conventional farmland. This is to protect the organic crops
and regulated. It is illegal to call a food product organic if it has not been from contamination by chemical fertilizers and pesticides
inspected and certified by an approved organic control body. Any substance used in traditional farming which may drift over to the
or compounds used in organic agriculture must comply with organic organic land.
regulations and be verified as suitable for use in organic production systems. Following a review of the application and documentation an inspector will
visit the farm to conduct an initial inspection. This visit will take
Producer Certification approximately two hours for smaller operations and up to a full day for
larger, more complex operations. The inspector will report their findings and
Organic agricultural methods are internationally regulated and legally
identify any changes that are needed to bring production into line with the
enforced by governments in many countries. Certification and accreditation
standards. Farms must undergo a conversion period where the land is
systems have been established to protect the production of organic goods.
managed using the organic production methods outlined in the Organic
Any person or business that produces organic products must hold a legal
System Plan. The conversion period for land is typically two years. This
certificate of registration from a government approved control body and be
provides time to establish organic management techniques and build soil
inspected at least annually. The process of gaining approval is long and
fertility and biological activity. All plants that are grown during the
demanding with complex documentation and a considerable amount of initial
conversion period must come from organic seeds. For crops to be marketed
investment. To start the process a completed application form must be
as organic the seeds must be sown and harvested from land that has
submitted along with the registration fee which varies depending on the size
completed its conversion period and has organic status. The conversion
of the land. A certification officer will be assigned who acts as a point of
period can be a financially challenging time for farmers. Organic methods
contact and provides guidance throughout the conversion and certification
often result in lower yields and higher production costs. The food produced
process. All certification officers have extensive knowledge of the
during the conversion period cannot be classified as organic and therefore
regulations as well as practical experience in the industry. Applicants are
cannot command a premium price. This leaves the farm in a state of
required to produce an Organic System Plan which provides a detailed
uncertainty with reduced income.
description of how the farming practices and procedures will meet the
organic standards. Once all these stages have been successfully completed the farm will achieve
organic status and be registered in the National Register. A Certificate of
Compliance will be issued which confirms the farm is a certified organic
producer and the crops can now be marketed as organic. A farm schedule will
specify the crops produced, the fields and area under organic management,
and the date organic conversion began. Certification is valid for one year.
Fees are payable on the renewal date each year and an annual inspection is
completed to ensure the production and processing standards are still being
met. The farm will also benefit from ongoing support from the certification
officer who is dedicated to looking after the licence.

Guide Produced by: Irudini Silva LK153 0523

 3|Page

The Future
Organic farming has a bright future. Public demand for organic food is growing so fast that consumer demand is exceeding some domestic supplies. Significant
industry growth is predicted in the next decade. The European Union has set a target that 25% of all agricultural land will be organically farmed by 2030. It is also a
popular farming method in other continents where production and fertiliser costs are expensive. In some countries organic farming produces 80% more than
conventional farms and organic farmers earn higher incomes due to lower production costs and the price premium paid for their organic produce. Whatever the
location there has never been a better time for conventional farms to convert to organic farming.

Guide Produced by: Irudini Silva LK153 0523