Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
SKUAST-K
Contents
Organic food
Organic farming
Why organic
Impacts of modern agriculture
Status of Organic Farming-World
Organic husbandry
What is Organic Farming?
Organic farming is the
production of crops and
livestock without the use of
synthetic chemicals and in-
organic fertilizers.
- M.S. Swaminathan
Indian Science Congress, Varanasi, January 4, 1968
Livestock Husbandry in
Temperate Himalyan region
The Himalayan region is vast, gigantic,
diverse and youngest mountain system in the
world.
It occupies 591 thousand square kilometer
(18% of geographical area of India)
spread over 2,800 kilometer in length and
220 to 300 kilometer wide across the 11
states of India
In this region, 6% of Indian population
resides
Livestock are integral part of farming system
for this region where it not only supplement
the family income but also contributes FYM
to the farm which is an essential requirement
of largely rain-fed agriculture of this region.
Himalayan farming System
Land holdings - small and fragmented,
rain-fed agriculture,
low input-low output production system,
sparse population,
undulating terrain
poor means of transport and communication,
women centred agriculture,
out migration of males in search of off farm
employment,
poor productivity of crop and livestock,
fragile eco-system,
low risk bearing capacity of farmers yet rich in plant
and animal diversity etc.
People have sustained themselves in this difficult
condition and in their endeavour the livestock were
active partner.
Indigenous livestock provide practical means of using
natural grasslands in this region
Organic Livestock
Organic cattle farming is a method for
raising cattle in a more "natural" way.
animals raised this way are allowed to
graze on natural foods and have access
to the outdoors.
Feed for animals is grown organically,
Not given antibiotics or hormones.
Animals often have much better living
conditions than most large-scale cattle
farms that are often crowded and prevent
cattle from getting much exercise in order
to maximize profits.
Farm Yard manure is used for producing
organic manure thru vermi-composting,
and bio-gas production
Organic livestock farming
practices
Breeds and breeding-
use of well adapted breeds,
conserve animal genetic resource biodiversity
Pasture management
access to pastures
Animal nutrition
No growth hormones
No animal by-products in feed
Housing,
Loose and comfortable
Animal health and disease management
Minimal use of antibiotics
Manure must be managed to prevent
contamination of crops, soil or water by plant
nutrients, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals
or residues of prohibited substances.