Benefits of Organic Farming to the Environment

Organic farming holds plenty of benefits to the environment. Here, we have listed out the most significant benefits of organic farming.

1. Maintains healthy soil

Healthy soils are essential for resilient crop production and supporting our ecosystem. Organic farming is the production method that does not rely on chemical inputs to increase the produce. The use of chemicals drastically decreases the quality of the soil. 

2. Promotes Biodiversity

The level of biodiversity that can be yielded from organic farming provides a natural capital to humans. Species found in most organic farms provides a means of agricultural sustainability by reducing amount of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Farmers that produce with organic methods reduce risk of poor yields by promoting biodiversity.

3. Prevents Algal Bloom

Harmful Algal Blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of toxin-producing algae grow excessively in large bodies of water. These Algal Blooms provide harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. Since organic farming uses natural fertilisers to promote soil and plant health, toxic waste does not deposit in the soil. 

4. Prohibits the Use of Chemicals  

The use of chemical fertilisers provide harmful effects to the environment. The long-term use of chemicals can alter the PH balance of your soil and cause a toxic build-up of certain nutrients. Pesticides can contaminate soil, water, turf, and other vegetation. It affects the aquatic life in water. The consumption of such water by humans affects human health as well.

5. Fights Against Global Warming

Conventional agriculture uses vast quantities of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. It takes significant amounts of energy to manufacture these chemicals. Organic agriculture does not use chemicals. Organic agriculture stores carbon in the soil, which reduces global warming.

6. Boosts Water Conservation and Water Health

By planting cover crops and spreading thick layers of organic mulch, the plants contribute by recharging the groundwater due to decreased water run-off. In fact, the replenished water sources contain minimal or zero chemical substitutes due to avoidance of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, thereby paving the way to safer, cleaner and reliable watersheds.