Organic farming is advancing in Sumy region

Organic agriculture is a method used in farming without the use of any chemical substances or synthetics. Its goal is to produce crops with the highest nutritional value while having the least impact on nature. Crop rotations, green manures, the use of natural fertilizers, and biological methods of pest control are the essence of organic farming.

Supporters of organic farming claim that it is possible to obtain a large harvest of clean, harmless, and tasty products without tilling the soil, using mineral fertilizers, or pesticides. At the same time, they argue that one needs to work half as much, expend half the effort, and receive twice the yield that is many times more beneficial. However, this type of farming has not yet taken a leading position worldwide.

Organic farming, like other farming systems, has its pros and cons. The main advantage is clean products and an unpolluted environment. The main drawback of natural farming is significant crop losses from pests and diseases. The most important advantage of organic agriculture is that it sustains the life of the soil not only for the current generation but also for future ones. Water pollution is reduced, since after rainfall water from fields containing chemical substances mainly flows into rivers. In organic farming, no chemical or synthetic substances are used. Organic agriculture also contributes to soil enrichment through rational crop rotation.

Overall costs for crop cultivation decrease as farmers use green manure or worms in agriculture to replenish nutrients lost from the soil. Organic farming enriches the soil with organic matter and preserves nitrogen reserves in it. This ability to accumulate carbon compounds also explains drought resistance: carbon-rich soil retains water much better than poor soil.

Skeptics believe that organic farming will not be able to feed the growing population of the planet. However, after many years of research, this myth was debunked. It turned out that the productivity of organic farming is in no way inferior to traditional farming, and the costs of mineral fertilizers and the high prices of organic products are quite comparable.

While scientists argue about the pros and cons, Ukrainians are becoming increasingly interested in environmentally friendly farming. Currently, there are 130 cities in Ukraine where organic farming clubs operate. Their members establish garden beds on their household plots, plant low-growing white clover between them, and try to apply mixed planting of garden crops. The number of like-minded people in each city is only growing. Products under the “environmentally friendly” label are becoming increasingly popular, even though their price may be twice as high. Worldwide, certified organic products are 20–40% more expensive than conventional ones. In Ukraine, the markup can reach 100–500%.

The number of “organic” shops in Ukraine is not very large, and in most cases organic farming is applied on small household plots—products are grown for personal use rather than for mass sales. Ukraine still has not adopted national standards regulating requirements for organic production. As a rule, Ukrainian producers cannot prove that their products are truly organic: they simply do not have the funds for costly certification. Obtaining a certificate takes from one to three years, and a document for each product unit costs from 4,500 UAH.

Criteria for organic products:

1. Products without chemically synthesized preservatives, colorants, flavorings, stabilizers, and thickeners.
2. No ultrasonic treatment, chemical preservation, treatment with phenols and surfactants, atomic splitting, radiation treatment, or gassing is used in production.
3. For three years, the land on which the product is produced has not been treated with fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, or growth stimulants.
4. Animals must not be diseased.
5. Livestock farmers treat their animals humanely: they are not kept in stalls and are not subjected to stress.
6. The packaging must contain:
– the EU logo (“Euroleaf”)
– the code number of the controlling body
– the country of origin of the raw materials