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 possible solution to these problems but it is not by any means a simple solution and
requires careful consideration and planning.
food is also showing strong growth. Consumers are becoming more aware of
What is Organic Farming? environmental issues and the numerous health benefits associated with a
Organic farming is also known as ecological farming. It is an agricultural natural diet. Many perceive organic food to be higher quality with rich
system of cultivating land to produce food using natural substances and nutritional value and multiple health benefits. As a result of increased public
processes. Crops are nurtured and grown without the use of synthetic demand total sales in the organic food market exceeded 126 billion Euros last
fertilisers and pesticides. Organic techniques include: year. The following table shows this retail growth:
 biological pest control Growth in organic retail sales (million €)
Region 2010 2017 2023
 companion planting
Africa 0.28 16.52 17.27
 crop rotation
Asia 1902.24 10079.24 13167.36
 fostering natural insect predators
Europe 20413.85 39566.12 54600.25
 mixed crops for pest control Latin America 14.37 1138.80 816.88
 natural fertilisers such as compost and green manure. North America 20184.78 45162.80 56402.94
There are sound environmental reasons and ecological benefits to organic Oceania 742.44 1357.73 1674.16
farming. This uses sustainable techniques which benefit the wildlife, protect World Total 43257.97 97321.21 126678.87
the environment and conserve natural resources. Healthy and fertile soil helps There are 3.4 million organic producers in 190 countries with the largest
build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Organic farms release fewer number in India. Swiss consumers spent the most per person on organic food
greenhouse gas emissions and are more energy efficient, using 45% less and Denmark continues to have the highest organic market share with 13% of
energy than conventional farms. its total food market.

Growth in Organic Farming Organic Certification

Organic farmland is increasing at a rate of 5% every year with all continents The labelling and marketing of organic food products is strictly controlled
seeing strong growth. Over 78 million hectares are farmed organically which and regulated. It is illegal to call a food product organic if it has not been
is over 1.6% of all agricultural land. Over half of this land is in the Oceania inspected and certified by an approved organic control body. Any substance
region (38 million hectares), followed by Europe (20 million hectares) and or compounds used in organic agriculture must comply with organic
Latin America (12 million hectares). The global retail market for organic regulations and be verified as suitable for use in organic production systems.

Guide produced by: Arline Halfrida Diku_UG003_0099

 2|Page
visit the farm to carry out an initial inspection. This visit will take
Producer Certification approximately two hours for smaller operations and up to a full day for
Organic agricultural methods are internationally regulated and legally larger, more complex operations. The inspector will report their findings and
enforced by governments in many countries. Certification and accreditation identify any changes that are needed to bring production into line with the
systems have been established to protect the production of organic goods. standards. Farms must undergo a conversion period where the land is
Any person or business that produces organic products must hold a legal managed using the organic production methods outlined in the Organic
certificate of registration from a government approved control body and be System Plan. The conversion period for land is typically two years. This
inspected at least annually. The process of gaining approval is long and provides time to establish organic management techniques and build soil
demanding with complex documentation and a considerable amount of initial fertility and biological activity. All plants that are grown during the
investment. To start the process a completed application form must be conversion period must come from organic seeds. For crops to be marketed
submitted along with the registration fee which varies depending on the size as organic the seeds must be sown and harvested from land that has
of the land. A certification officer will be assigned who acts as a point of completed its conversion period and has organic status. The conversion
contact and provides guidance throughout the conversion and certification period can be a financially difficult time for farmers. Organic methods often
process. All certification officers have extensive knowledge of the result in lower yields and higher production costs. The food produced during
regulations as well as practical experience in the industry. Applicants are the conversion period cannot be classified as organic and therefore cannot
required to produce an Organic System Plan which provides a detailed command a premium price. This leaves the farm in a state of uncertainty with
description of how the farming practices and procedures will meet the reduced income. Once all these stages have been successfully completed the
organic standards. 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
A physical barrier such as a road, hedge or a 10-metre certified organic producer and the crops can now be marketed as organic. A
buffer zone must separate organic farmland from farm schedule will specify the crops produced, the fields and area under
conventional farmland. This is to protect the organic crops organic management, and the date organic conversion began. Certification is
from contamination by chemical fertilizers and pesticides valid for one year. Fees are payable on the renewal date each year and an
used in traditional farming which may drift over to the annual inspection is completed to ensure the production and processing
organic land. standards are still being met. The farm will also benefit from ongoing support
Following a review of the application and documentation an inspector will from the certification officer who is dedicated to looking after the licence.

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: Arline Halfrida Diku_UG003_0099

 3|Page

Guide produced by: Arline Halfrida Diku_UG003_0099