Agriculture is the single largest land use and covers over one-third of the world’s land. Activities such as tillage, rotation, intercropping, grazing, drainage, and extensive usage of pesticides and fertilizers all significantly impact biodiversity. Biodiversity is one of the world’s most valuable resources. The food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the raw materials we use to build our homes and companies, the myriad medicines and home cures, and a host of other things are all made possible by all life on Earth. Several cultural traditions and beliefs as well as people‘s livelihoods, particularly for families living in rural villages in developing nations, depend on it. Every living thing, from people to organisms we know little about like bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates, is included in biodiversity. This includes not only species that we perceive to be rare, threatened, or endangered.
Agriculture damages biodiversity by changing natural habitats to intensively managed systems by emitting pollutants such as greenhouse gases. Through the intensification of management in a long-established cultural landscape, agriculture becomes one of the largest drivers of biodiversity loss. Increasingly, crop rotation, intercropping, and irrigation have made agriculture more efficient. However, farming has seen significant change during the past few centuries, and many nations have shifted toward conventional practices. Adopting these traditional techniques, however, exposes farmers to the avarice of business because their crops rely heavily on energy input, industrial chemicals, and genetically modified organisms.
Although the word „conventional agriculture“ is broad and has several connotations, a crop can be categorized as conventional if synthetic chemicals are employed to keep the plants healthy. In conventional agriculture, a substantial quantity of energy and chemicals are needed to obtain the best crop production feasible. To ensure crop health, conventional agriculture discourages biodiversity and instead relies on synthetic chemicals. More mineral-based fertilizers, such as nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, have been developed as a result of the growth of modern agriculture to replace organic fertilizers.
According to some research, excessive fertilization would lead to atmospheric N deposition and pollution. Low-nutrient systems, like natural ecosystems, are also more sensitive to N inputs and thus more vulnerable to N deposition. Fertilizers have enhanced yields, yet leaks seriously harm the ecosystem. Freshwater biodiversity has long been harmed with more than 500 „dead zones“ of oxygen-depleted water worldwide due to algal blooms caused by fertilizer pollution. A significant component, estimated to be 14.5% of all anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, is livestock production. At least 20% of irrigated areas experience agricultural losses owing to salinization, primarily as a result of irrigation, and the number may be much higher. Depending on criteria including toxicity, environmental permanence, and mobility, excessive fertilizer and pesticide use has a negative influence on a variety of creatures and ecosystems.
Certain pesticides can decrease important pollinators and helpful pest predators, endangering crop output. Since pesticides are released into the air, leach into the soil and groundwater, run off into surface waters, leave residues in food products, and bio- accumulate in food chains, they harm people, animals, and wildlife in addition to agriculture. Furthermore, because many pesticides linger in the environment for extended periods, the risk of exposure might last for decades. While herbicides and fungicides are typically sprayed directly on the soil before the planting of crops, insecticides are typically applied as sprays over the crop canopy. In any of these scenarios, the tiny droplets and dust particles from the applications could fall onto bees as they fly across the treated fields or in the area since wind could take them hundreds of meters away from the crop. Due to the concentrated dosages of these chemicals present in the spray solutions, a single droplet of pesticide may be sufficient to kill a bee. The biodiversity on which we all rely for survival includes bees. They offer premium foods including honey, royal jelly, and pollen as well as other items like beeswax, propolis, and honey bee venom. A third of the world‘s food output depends on bees, say bee scientists at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
Pollen from flowers is distributed by animals and insects, enabling plants to reproduce, including many food crops. Bees are among the insects that pollinate most frequently, along with birds, rodents, monkeys, and even people. Weeds are plants that compete with crops or negatively impact harvesting, storage, or crop quality in agriculture and horticulture. In cultivation, weeds have always been an issue. More specifically, weeds reduce yields and yield quality. Infections, fungi, and other illnesses can be carried by weeds and contaminate crops. Cereal might also become lodged if there are a lot of weeds. Many methods have been implied to control weed growth especially chemical methods which also harm biodiversity. In crops, herbicides are used to lessen dangerous weeds. Herbicides have the power to kill some weeds and slow the growth of others. Herbicide use in agricultural production is quite prevalent, which pollutes the land, water, environment, and air. Herbicides have been used extensively for many years, but due to improper application techniques, excessive doses, and the development of abiotic elements, they have contaminated many different ecosystems and had a severe impact on all living things that entered the food chain. When it comes to glyphosate, it is among the herbicides with the greatest use in history, and remnants of it were found in diapers and medical gauze. Furthermore, it has been found that the remnants of several new herbicide generations, including dactal, metolachlor, samples of water, snow, fog, and air contain trifluralin. Herbicide may be transmitted to the animals that consumed the plant‘s food and are part of the food chain. Herbicides are mixed before being applied to the soil or plant surface evaporation and can be transferred by the atmosphere wind for a long way.
Water contamination is one of the victims of chemicals used in agricultural fields. Global water contamination is a problem that has gotten worse in both industrialized and developing nations. The three main contributors to water contamination are human habitation, industries, and agriculture3. The most frequent chemical contamination in groundwater aquifers across the world is nitrate from agriculture. 38% of the water bodies in the European Union are seriously impacted by agricultural pollution. The primary cause of pollution in rivers and streams, the secondary source in wetlands, and the third primary source in lakes in the United States is agriculture. Agriculture accounts for a significant portion of surface-water pollution in China and India and practically all nitrogen groundwater pollution.
We need a comprehensive plan to address the enormous challenge of biodiversity reconciliation.To lessen land degradation, increase the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation, and restore environmental services, the UNCCD‘s Global Land Outlooksuggests a combination of protection, management, and restoration. Protected areas—land and water that serve as safe havens for species and biological processes that cannot live in heavily managed landscapes and seascapes—are a useful tool for preserving ecosystems. Ecosystem services, cultural landscapes, vulnerable human communities, sacred natural locations, and recreational regions are frequently preserved under protected areas. The goal of sustainable land management is to protect a variety of values, including biodiversity, within the managed landscape and to concentrate on a wider range of ecosystem services, like those offered by fertile and healthy soils. The definition of „sustainable intensification“ is the maximization of food production with an emphasis on sustainability. The use of fewer pesticides and more intra-specific crop diversity to manage pests can increase yields, as shown by Integrated Pest Management techniques, suggesting that efficient agriculture does not rely on massive monocultures. Compared to conventional farming methods, small- scale, labor-intensive, low-input agricultural systems usually produce higher yields. The long-term existence of indigenous species is already in danger in many habitats. Restoring resilient and adaptable ecosystems is the primary goal of such restoration. By utilizing synergies between food production and water supply, biodiversity preservation, the provision of other ecosystem services, and poverty alleviation, integrated landscape techniques that involve restoration offer prospects for wider uptake.
People, Planet, and Profit, sometimes known as the triple bottom line, are the three Ps of sustainability, which is well-known.The 3Ps‘ function in sustainability is to maximize their benefits and protect them. The fundamental idea behind the triple bottom line is that a sustainable organization should strike the ideal balance between social responsibility (for the benefit of people), economic profitability (for the benefit of the planet), and environmental friendliness (for the benefit of the planet). This will ensure that all three of the sustainability Ps are met. At Biodiversity Cert we are dedicated to the three Ps principle of conserving biodiversity. The three Ps stands for Practice, Preserve, and Promote. Our dedication to eco-friendly techniques for the preservation of biological diversity in the garment business is in line with and cohesively works with these three Ps on all fronts and levels. By promoting natural and chemical-free agriculture to local farmers and producers, we engage in sustainable farming practices. By evaluating the local species variety and conducting ongoing monitoring through a network of volunteers and environmental scientists, we maintain the original ecosystem‘s flora and fauna. At Biodiversity Cert we are dedicated to conserving biodiversity through responsible, organic, and regenerative agriculture.
Farms will usually, but not always, have to depend on transition for organic before they can be certified. The transition period is critical to organic success as managing pests, building soil health, and improving livestock and herd health requires a tactful approach to successfully carry out organic agricultural activities. It is important to thoroughly understand the National Organic Standards and the recordkeeping expectations to make the transition as smooth as possible. This information will help you on your way, but we strongly recommend that you contact BIODIVERSITY CERT so we can help you reach your goals of organic farming certifications.
At present organic farming is taken up in an area of 38.09 lakh hectares in the country including 6.19 lakh hectares under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), 1.23 lakh hectares under Namami Gange Programme, 4.09 lakh hectares under BPKP (Natural Farming), and 26.57 lakh hectares under National Program for Organic Production (NPOP),“ according to Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
In recent years, organic farming as a cultivation process is gaining increasing popularity. Organically grown foods have become one of the best choices for both consumers and farmers. Organically grown foods are part of go green lifestyle.
In 2017, it was also reported that day to day the number of organic produces increases considerably all over the world. Asia contributes to the largest percentage (40%) of organic production in the world and India contributes to be largest number of organic producer (835 000).
The global organic farming market is expected to grow from $103.36 billion in 2021 to at a CAGR of 8.4% $151.36 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 10%. The Indian organic market has also seen a surge with a market size touching $820 million in 2020, which was just about $200 million in 2018, as per the report, and is likely to grow at a CAGR of 24% during 2021-2026.
They mentioned that organic produce is not grown with synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, application of genetic modification techniques (such as genetically modified crops), sewage sludge, or chemical fertilizers.
Whereas, conventional farming is the cultivation process where synthetic pesticide and chemical fertilizers are applied to gain higher crop yield and profit. In conventional farming, synthetic pesticides and chemicals are able to eliminate insects, weeds, and pests and growth factors such as synthetic hormones and fertilizers increase growth rate.
As synthetically produced pesticides and chemical fertilizers are utilized in conventional farming, consumption of conventionally grown foods is discouraged, and for these reasons, the popularity of organic farming is increasing gradually.
Before you begin your transition to organic, be sure to research your market options. Contact organic buyers and processors in your area to determine the need and the potential market. One should approach organic production like any other business enterprise. Good research and planning will help you make sound decisions.
Now is a great time to go organic, and BIODIVERSITY CERT is here to help you make the transition. We are happy to help with any questions you have prior to and during your transition. It is our goal to ensure that you understand the rules, and the process, so your transition is as smooth as possible. BIODIVERSITY CERT is your partner towards organic success.
Since their operations don’t use land for production, organic handlers and processors do not have a three years transition. Food processors, restaurants, distributors, and retailers do not have a required transition period if they are not growing their own food or fiber (purchasing all inputs). If they do have your own production, that land and/or those animals will have to follow the same transition requirements listed below.
Before producers can use land to raise organic products, they must ensure that no prohibited fertilizers or pesticides have been applied to the land during a three-year transition period. Some lands, such as fallow or pasture lands may be immediately certified if three years have already passed.
During the transition, you need to manage that land as if it were organic. That means that only materials that are listed as approved can be used. If a prohibited material is applied intentionally, or by accident, your transition date for that field will be reset to 36 months. It is critical to understand and follow the National Organic Standards during the transition period to prevent costly mistakes.
In general, all synthetic inputs are prohibited. This includes chemical fertilizers and pesticides. There are also a few natural inputs that are prohibited due to toxicity or other negative impacts.. Never apply an input when you are not sure of the status. Also note that all geneticallymodified seeds, and products made with genetically-modified ingredients are prohibited.
Special Note: Manure from conventional farms is not a prohibited input, provided it has not been treated with, or mixed with, prohibited materials.
The National Organic Standards require certified operations to use certified organic seeds. Farms in transition do not have to use certified organic seeds, but any seeds used must be non-GMO and untreated. Like with prohibited materials, GMO or treated seeds will reset your transition time to 3 years. If you plant a crop during the transition, but intend to harvest that crop as organic, those seeds must be certified organic.
Some animals can be transitioned into organic production and some cannot.
Dairy animals can also be transitioned from conventional methods of farming to organic production. There official period is of 1 year of organic management before their products can be certified organic. During that year, the animals must be fed 100% organic feed and must be managed without prohibited materials. Antibiotics, hormones and most synthetic health inputs are prohibited during this one year transition.
Mammalian animals must be raised organically from at least the last third of gestation. During that time the mothers must be fed 100% certified organic feed and managed without prohibited materials. The mothers do not have to be from organic stock, but can never be sold for organic meat.
Poultry must be raised organically from the 2nd day of life to be sold as organic.
Under the India Organic Standards, all ruminant animals are required to have a minimum of 30% Dry Matter Intake (DMI) from pasture for a minimum of 120 days during the grazing season.
Dairy animals should be under continuous organic management for at least 12 months prior to production of milk or milk products that are to be sold, labeled or represented as organic. Organically managed pasture must include ration of 30% DMI intake. You must demonstrate adequate pasture during your first application and inspection. If you do not currently have enough pasture to meet the rule, you should begin converting some fields to pasture, fencing new pastures, and researching rotational grazing systems if you are not already using this system.
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