What is organic agriculture?

International Definitions

Organic agriculture includes all agricultural systems that promote the environmentally, socially and economically sound production of food and fibers. These systems take local soil fertility as a key to successful production. By respecting the natural capacity of plants, animals and the landscape, it aims to optimize quality in all aspects of agriculture and the environment. Organic agriculture dramatically reduces external inputs by refraining from the use of chemo-synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. Instead it allows the powerful laws of nature to increase both agricultural yields and disease resistance.
(International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM))

Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including bio-diversity, biological cycle and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs. This is accomplished by using, where possible, agronomic, biological and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific function within the system.
(FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission)

Principles of Organic Agriculture

The General Assembly of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) approved the revised Principles of Organic Agriculture during its meeting in Adelaide, Australia last September 28, 2005. The principles will serve to inspire the organic movement in its full diversity, and to articulate the meaning of Organic Agriculture to the world at large.

The approved Principles of Organic Agriculture consist of 4 principles upon which organic agriculture is based:

• The Principle of Health. Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal and human as one and indivisible.
• The Principle of Ecology. Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them.
• The Principle of Fairness. Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.
• The Principle of Care. Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well being of current and future generations and the environment.