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 5th 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 S. NO. TITLE PAGE Preface 3 Syllabus 4 About the book 5 About the Author 6 CHAPTERS 1 Introduction to Organic Farming 9 2 Concept of Organic Farming 28 3 Organic Ecosystem and Biodiversity 34 4 Scope of Organic Farming 51 5 Principles of Organic Farming 65 6 Promotion of Organic Farming 79 7 Conversion Organic Farming 84 8 Choice of Crops in Organic Farming 93 9 Organic Nutrient Resources- FYM and Soil Enrichment 100 10 Organic Nutrient Resources- Compost 124 11 Organic Nutrient Resources- Vermicompost 153 12 Organic Nutrient Resources- Crop Residue Management 167 13 Organic Nutrient Resources- Green Manuring 172 14 Organic Nutrient Resources- Concentrated Organic Manures 179 15 Organic Nutrient Resources- Biofertilisers 182 16 Organic Nutrient Resources- Effective Microorganisms Technology 201 17 Organic Nutrient Resources-Important Formulations for Soil Enrichment 205 18 Disease Management in Organic Farming 208 19 Insect Management in Organic Farming 222 20 Weed Management in Organic Farming 250 21 Soil Improvement & Amendments (Management of Problem Soils) 264 22 Use of neem & other products in Organic Farming 284 23 Other Innovative Inputs for Organic Farming 290 24 Safety and Quality of Organic Food 296 25 Operational Structure of National Programme on Organic Farming 300 26 Certification Process & Standards in Organic Farming 310 27 Economics of Organic Farming 315 28 Processing and labelling 319 29 Marketing and export of Organic Food 333 Literature cited 344 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.
