Description

ABOUT THE BOOK

Organic production can offer different benefits. These can include: a better price for better quality and lower input costs; crop diversification; better natural resource management; conservation of biodiversity; improved soil fertility, and; fewer health risks for farmers and consumers. Exporting organic products can be attractive for farmers and their producer organizations; the specific market segments (niche markets) offer the opportunity to achieve better prices and acquire a more privileged market position. It is tempting (and often misleading) to only look at the benefits of entering the organic niche markets. In order to avoid disappointments, it is necessary to prepare well and to have an understanding and knowledge of the key issues involved in these export markets. Looking to the importance of organic farming the 5^th Dean’s Committee of ICAR has introduced a comprehensive course at UG level entitled PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC FARMING to prepare our youths to harvest the fruits of organic niche markets.

The text book covers concept and relevance of organic farming in present context; Organic production requirements; Biological intensive nutrient management–organic manures, vermin-composting, green manuring, recycling of organic residues, bio-fertilizers; organic diseases and pest management–use of biocontrol agents, bio-pesticides, pheromones, trap crops, bird perches; Weed management; and Quality considerations, certification, labeling and accreditation processes, marketing, exports. The book is written in a very simple form with up to date information. It is a comprehensive basic text book on organic farming system and will specifically meet out the requirement of the UG students of agriculture and horticulture faculties of all the SAUs. The author would welcome suggestions from the readers to improve the text book.

CONTENT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Prof.  Dr. L.L. Somani is retired Director Resident Instructions MPUAT, Udaipur. He has organised the first ever seminar on Natural Farming (1992) and subsequently a National Symposium on Organic Farming (2001). He has authored several books like Handbook of Biofertilisers, Biodynamic Organic Farming, Composting Technology, Vermicomposting & Vermiwash, and Handbook on Green Manuring, Green Manuring for Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Recycling and Bioinoculants etc.