Organic farming - solution for sustainable agricultural development

Organic rice farming in Trieu Phong - Photo: TCL

One of the impacts of bringing organic farming methods back to farmers is agricultural extension activities. Over the past years, the Quang Tri Agricultural Extension Center has implemented activities to advise, guide and support farmers in applying organic farming methods such as: not using synthetic chemicals, pesticides, chemical fertilizers, animal feed with growth stimulants but instead using organic fertilizers, rotating crops, intercropping, using natural pest control measures such as: using natural enemies, homemade pesticides from ginger, chili, garlic...

The biggest harm of using chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture is pollution of soil, water resources, air environment... Chemicals from fertilizers and pesticides seep into the soil, causing the soil to become hard, depleted of nutrients, leading to slow plant growth.

Over time, toxic chemicals from inorganic fertilizers and pesticides seep into water sources, polluting rivers and lakes and affecting aquatic ecosystems. Chemical pesticides kill pests and also kill beneficial organisms such as beneficial insects, birds and other animals. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture can lead to greenhouse gas emissions...

Organic farming methods apply farming measures such as: using organic fertilizers, crop rotation and intercropping, deep plowing, using biological control measures... This method applies to both crop and livestock farming.

In farming, organic farming methods instead of using chemical fertilizers use manure, fertilizers made from plants to provide nutrients for plants and improve soil fertility. Combined with deep plowing helps improve soil structure, making the soil loose, rich in nutrients, easily retaining water and organic matter for the soil, protecting long-term fertility.

Rotating and intercropping crops helps prevent soil nutrient depletion and minimizes the development of pests and diseases, increasing biodiversity.

Use natural pest control measures such as natural enemies, biological products or herbal pesticides, do not use pesticides made from toxic chemicals. Organic fertilizers and biological control measures do not harm the soil and water sources. In animal husbandry, the organic farming method is not to use foods containing growth stimulants, lean meat additives...

Implementing organic farming methods protects the production environment and ecological environment well, such as: increasing soil porosity and humus, reducing soil and water pollution, protecting biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting soil and preventing erosion...

Organic farming helps maintain and enhance biodiversity by minimizing the use of chemical pesticides. The use of biological control measures such as natural enemies or natural pesticides not only helps protect the environment but also maintains ecological balance in agriculture.

At the same time, the application of crop rotation and intercropping helps create a more diverse environment for beneficial animals and insects, thereby creating natural resistance for crops, thereby minimizing pests. Cover crops, use of organic fertilizers and sustainable farming help maintain soil porosity and limit erosion, especially in mountainous areas, helping to protect the soil for long-term cultivation.

Director of Quang Tri Agricultural Extension Center Tran Can said: Organic agricultural extension activities focus on guiding and encouraging farmers to switch from agricultural cultivation using chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides to organic farming with safe and sustainable methods.

Over the years, the center has built many demonstration models on the application of organic farming methods, especially, in collaboration with Quang Tri Trading Corporation Joint Stock Company, implementing organic rice farming models that bring many benefits such as: limiting pests and diseases, creating clean products, higher product prices leading to much higher economic efficiency compared to inorganic farming. Only by cultivating organic agriculture can we increase product value, protect public health and improve environmental quality, then we can cultivate sustainably.

Propaganda and mobilization of farmers to change farming methods through agricultural extension channels and mass media have a wide spread, thereby accelerating the process of changing farmers' farming methods.

When farmers widely apply organic farming methods, they create safety in production, protect land and water resources, and create a cleaner and more sustainable agriculture.

Switching to organic farming methods that apply scientific and technical measures in agricultural production is a farming solution that brings many economic benefits, is environmentally friendly and protects human health.

Tran Cat Linh

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/canh-tac-huu-co-giai-phap-phat-trien-nong-nghiep-ben-vung-192510.htm