What is organic farming?What is organic farming?

Organic farming is a system of Organic farming is a system of agriculture that uses natural and agriculture that uses natural and

biodegradable inputs while deliberately biodegradable inputs while deliberately avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizersavoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers

What are the main principles of What are the main principles of organic farming?organic farming?

• Principle of health for soil ,plants , animals,, human and planet as one and indivisible

Organic principlesOrganic principles

• Principle of ecology in agriculture based on living ecological systems and cycles for sustainanability

• Principle of fairness with regard to common environment and life opportunities

• Principle of care that underlines precautionary and responsible manner of practising organic agriculture to protect the environment for current and future generations

• Principle of health for the soil, animals, humans and planetas one and indivisibble

How does organic agriculture attain How does organic agriculture attain common standards for all farmers?common standards for all farmers?

• Thro use of approved standards like the East African Organic Product Standards

Other methods of attaining Other methods of attaining common standardscommon standards

• Participatory Guaranteed System-farmers in the same group monitor each other to ensure that everybody complies with the agreed methods of production

How does organic agriculture help How does organic agriculture help in conserving the environment?in conserving the environment?

• It uses inputs that don’t leave toxic residues in the soil and general environment

• It promotes biodiversity of crops and animals to ensure complete and sustainable ecological systems with each species complementing the other for common good of nature and man

• It has very strong advocacy arm that fights for sustainable system of farming that tries to replicate nature as closely as possible

• It encourages recycling of biodegradable materials e.g. organic matter is composted to fertilize the soils as well as get rid of hazardous rotting materials from the environment

Can organic agriculture feed the Can organic agriculture feed the world on its own?world on its own?

• NO! neither can conventional farming. Feeding the world requires system wide collaborative approach that incorporates all systems of farming while taking into consideration the wider issues of environment conservation

Why is organic farming relevant to Why is organic farming relevant to us in Kenya?us in Kenya?

• 75% of our farmers are small scale farmers who experience difficulties in obtaining synthetic agricultural inputs due to prohibitive prices.

• These are the farmers who are mainly targeted in organic farming so that they can use resources within their environment sustainable in their farming methods

Organic farming in KenyaOrganic farming in Kenya

• Organic farming is reduced cost of inputs in agriculture, use of compost, natural or botanical pesticides and other local inputs have reduced cost and farmers see organic farming that is affordable and manageable

• It is recycling of organic matter thus composting and use of compost, farm yard manure and other forms of organic fertilizers are important organic farming act ivies

• Organic farming is conservation of resources; thus soil and water conservation are essential thro use of contours.

• Organic farming improves soil structure thro double digging, deep digging and incorporation of organic matter in the soil

• Organic farming increases food production and alleviates poverty. Thus kitchen gardening and botanical pest and disease are essential

• It improves livestock production using balanced feeds, herbal treatment and keeping the animal according to their nature

• Organic farming is appropriate technology and home made-do it yourself technologies that make the farmer self sufficient

Key areas in organic farming Key areas in organic farming

• What to avoid and why• Soil fertility and composting• Diversity of crops, animals or farming systems• Crop Rotations• Basic pest and disease control methods• Ecological issues and sustainability• Post harvest handling, transport, processing etc• Organic indicators-organic foot prints

Out there organic farming is;Out there organic farming is;

• Healthy food-• Environment or biodiversity protection• A niche that for organically grown products

which is jealously protected• A business• Advocacy and lobbying on environmental issues• Capacity building by enabling farmers to practice

farming thro self reliance by use of locally available resources

• An opportunity for carbon credit rating

Main constraints in organic farmingMain constraints in organic farming

• Traditional farming system that mine the soil without adequate measures of soil and nutrient management and environmental protection

• Lack of land use guidelines for sustainable natural resource use and conservation

• Soil degradation thro ever cultivation, increased use of synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides which lead to decline in crop yield and quality

• Promotion of technical packages on land use and livestock husbandry which is inappropriate to local situations

• Lack of environmental concerns leading to destruction of natural vegetation due to shifting from exhausted land units for crop production e.g. MAU FOREST

Downstream destruction of ecosystems thro agrochemical leading to water pollution and its associated implications

Proposed policy framework in Proposed policy framework in organic farmingorganic farming

• Inclusion of significant organic farming information in teaching and training institutions e.g. schools and colleges

• Increased research both at public,community and private institutions

• Development of local organic markets and consumer education

• Legislation in parliament

• Policy guidelines from the Ministry of Agriculture favoring organic agriculture and appropriate farming systems

• Setting up local organic certification bodies

• Value addition that complies with organic standards

What is the role of government in What is the role of government in organic farmingorganic farming

• Formulation of agricultural policies that recognize and favor organic farming

• Facilitate capacity building to organic farming groups thro funding of training workshops on organic agriculture

The way forward for organic The way forward for organic agricultureagriculture

• Policy formulation and legislation• Incorporation of organic agriculture in syllabus at

all levels• Research to improve knowledge and relevant

methods that will enhance productivity• Development of common standards in organic

agriculture• Develop and strengthen local markets and

export• Home processing of organic products