Biological Farming

Biological farming is a system that uses nature and science to build the quality of the soil with the understanding that healthy soil will be able to support healthy crops and livestock.  

Photo by Peter Tzannes

 Practitioners understand the importance of biology in the production systems in order to produce nutrient-dense foods, free from toxic residues and preserve the balance found in natural ecosystems. (Since 1940, many mineral values in food have declined between 30-60 percent)

Biological farming is not defined by any prescriptive approach as farmers employ a vast variety of techniques and processes found in, for example organic, biodynamic, holistic and natural farming methods.

These natural processes include:

·         crop rotations;

·         best tillage methods;

·          growing green manures;

·          proper livestock manure use;

·          reducing toxins;

·          promoting soil life,

·         and balancing the soil's minerals.

These terms mean using natural systems to improve soil structure; control weeds, pests, and diseases, and improve crop quality.

Healthy soil contains a balance between organic particles that serve as plant food and the living micro-organisms like bacteria, fungi, algae and the larger ones like earthworms. These organisms process and decompose the inert mineral and organic materials, thereby feeding the plants.

Skilled biological farmers learn how to grow and make a lot of their own fertilizers, using animal and green manures. They learn what fertilizers work best for their farm and which are environmentally-safe. They use farming practices that encourage beneficial organisms living in the soil.

Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can upset this balance in the soil, the exact opposite of what is required. 

This biological approach to farming yields soil that is healthy and able to support healthy crops. The crops contain higher concentrations of plant sugars, minerals and amino acids and therefore have a higher nutritional value. They also exhibit other beneficial traits such as a longer shelf life.

Biological farming also makes economic sense because the input of fertilizers are reduced and the use of pest repellants are greatly reduce over time as the plants are more healthier, more disease and pest resistant. 

Source: Internet