Here are detailed answers to your questions related to organic farming: 1. Principles of Organic Farming: Health: Organic farming should enhance the health of soil, plants, animals, and humans. Ecology: Organic farming must work with ecological systems and cycles, preserving biodiversity and ecological balance. Fairness: It should ensure fairness in the relationship between farmers, workers, and consumers. Care: Organic farming should take a precautionary approach to new technologies, minimizing potential harm to the environment and society. 2. Concept of Organic Farming: Organic farming is an agricultural system that avoids synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It focuses on soil health, biodiversity, and ecological balance. Practices include crop rotation, composting, use of organic fertilizers, and biological pest control. 3. Future Prospects of Organic Farming: Organic farming is expected to grow globally due to increased awareness about environmental sustainability and health. Advances in technology, better certification processes, and demand for organic food will likely drive the growth of organic farming. There will be more emphasis on sustainable practices, improved farming techniques, and enhanced market access for organic produce. 4. Beneficial Effects of Humus in the Soil: Improves soil structure by promoting aggregation. Enhances water retention and reduces water loss. Provides essential nutrients to plants as it decomposes. Increases microbial activity, supporting soil health. Reduces soil erosion and improves nutrient cycling. 5. Nodal Agencies for Promotion of Organic Farming and Export in India: NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development). APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority). NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production). FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). State Agricultural Departments. 6. Myco-herbicides: Myco-herbicides are biocontrol agents derived from fungi that are used to control weeds. These fungi attack weeds by parasitizing them, reducing the need for chemical herbicides. They are an eco-friendly alternative for managing weeds in organic farming. 7. Panchagavya Preparation: Panchagavya is an organic preparation made from five products of cows: milk, ghee, curd, urine, and dung. It is used as a natural growth promoter and biostimulant in organic farming. It enhances plant growth, immunity, and resistance to pests. 8. Organic Certification: Organic certification is a process by which a certifying body verifies that farming practices conform to organic standards. The purpose is to ensure that products are produced using methods that promote soil health, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability while avoiding harmful chemicals and synthetic additives. 9. Comment about: APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority): APEDA is an agency that promotes the export of agricultural products, including organic food, by facilitating certification, marketing, and regulatory support. NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production): NPOP is a certification program in India that sets standards for organic farming and promotes the export of organic products. APEDA: As mentioned, APEDA supports the export of organic and processed food products from India, helping with market development and certification. 10. Organic Food Products Exported from India: India exports a wide range of organic food products, including: Organic rice, pulses, and grains. Spices like turmeric, chili, and coriander. Tea and coffee. Fruits and vegetables. Oilseeds and processed food products. 11. Calculate the % of Organic Carbon Content: Given: Organic matter = 0.902 Formula: Organic Carbon (%) = Organic Matter (%) × 0.58 Organic Carbon = 0.902 × 0.58 = 0.52% Rating: Medium organic carbon content, which indicates moderate fertility. 12. Bulky Organic Manures: These are organic materials that provide a large amount of organic matter to the soil, such as farmyard manure (FYM), compost, green manure, and crop residues. They improve soil structure, increase microbial activity, and enhance nutrient availability. 13. Green Manures and Advantages: Green Manures: These are crops grown to be plowed into the soil to improve its fertility, typically legumes like clover or mustard. Advantages: Enrich soil with nitrogen and other nutrients. Improve soil structure and water retention. Help in weed suppression and pest management. Reduce soil erosion. 14. Soil and Water Conservation: These practices are vital for preserving soil fertility and preventing erosion. Techniques include contour farming, terracing, mulching, and rainwater harvesting. They help maintain soil structure, enhance water retention, and prevent nutrient loss. 15. Integration of Animals in Organic Farming: Animals in organic farming play essential roles in: Providing manure for soil fertility. Managing weeds and pests naturally. Enhancing biodiversity. Providing additional income sources (milk, meat, eggs). Ensuring a balanced ecosystem on the farm. 16. Indigenous Crop Nutrient Management Practices: These include traditional methods like using compost, green manures, biofertilizers, and animal manure to improve soil health. Farmers may also use local knowledge to optimize crop growth and reduce reliance on external inputs. 17. Does Organic Farming Ensure Food Security?: Organic farming can contribute to food security by enhancing soil health, increasing biodiversity, and reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals. While organic farming may offer more sustainable solutions, it needs to be practiced at a large scale to fully ensure food security in the long term. 18. Biosphere Reserve: A biosphere reserve is a designated area for conservation that includes both protected zones for biodiversity and areas for sustainable development. These reserves help preserve ecosystems, genetic diversity, and indigenous knowledge while promoting sustainable agriculture and tourism. 19. Conservation Tillage and Its Advantages: Conservation Tillage: This refers to tillage practices that minimize soil disturbance and preserve soil structure. Advantages: Reduces soil erosion. Improves water retention. Enhances organic matter content. Lowers fuel and labor costs. 20. Advantages of Vermicompost: Improves soil structure and fertility. Increases microbial activity in the soil. Enhances nutrient availability to plants. Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Improves moisture retention in the soil. 21. Difference Between On-farm and Off-farm Manures: On-farm Manures: Manures produced directly on the farm, such as cow dung, poultry manure, and compost made from farm residues. Off-farm Manures: Manures obtained from outside the farm, such as city waste compost, poultry manure from other farms, or synthetic fertilizers. 22. What is Bio-fertilizer? Describe its Advantages: Bio-fertilizer: Bio-fertilizers are living microorganisms that enhance soil fertility by fixing nitrogen or decomposing organic matter (e.g., Rhizobium, Azotobacter). Advantages: Improve soil fertility naturally. Reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Promote plant growth and root development. Enhance nutrient uptake and crop yield. 23. Crop Rotation and Mixed Cropping: Crop Rotation: The practice of growing different crops in a sequence on the same land to avoid nutrient depletion, break pest cycles, and enhance soil fertility. Mixed Cropping: The practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land to increase biodiversity and reduce risks associated with pests and diseases. 24. Packaging and Labeling Requirements in Organic Food Handling: Packaging should protect the product while maintaining its organic integrity. Labels must state that the product is organic, with certification details. Ingredients must be listed with their organic certification. Packaging materials should be eco-friendly. 25. Five Input Materials Prohibited in Organic Farms: Synthetic pesticides and herbicides. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Chemical fertilizers. Synthetic growth regulators. Non-organic seeds or planting material. These answers provide a comprehensive overview of organic farming, covering principles, practices, and regulations.