---

The "key" to successful organic production is a healthy well structured soil. Farmers take care of their soil by making sure that there are the right kind of conditions for the soil organisms (living things) within the soil to break down the manures and vegetable wastes in to nutrients (food) which can be used for growing crops and fodder. The idea is that we feed the soil, not the plants.

A chemical farmer uses his soil just to anchor plant roots and hold artificial fertilisers to provide the plants with food. This approach gives the farmer great results in the short run but in the long term it is disastrous.

Because organic matter is not replaced, the soil organisms (living things) die out. Without them the soil structure breaks down and the soil becomes hard, airless and un-productive. The farmer then attempts to force feed the plants but they grow weak and are then likely to be attacked by all sorts of pests and diseases. The farmer uses more chemical pesticides and for a while he may get a better result, but, as he killed the pest he also killed its natural predators so, eventually the problem gets worse. He then needs to use even stronger and more poisonous pesticides which again make things worse.

This is what is called a 'vicious cycle' It just goes on and on. The environment suffers and our health suffers as we have to deal with all these chemical in our diet and around us.


Back to Factsheets