Organic VS Inorganic

By Renortha Penny

Fertilizers are added to the soil to supply elements essential to the growth of plants. These elements include the major nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur, as well as the trace elements such as iron, zinc, and magnesium.

Inorganic farming is the use of industrially (MAN-MADE) manufactured  chemical products such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides for rapid returns and has the tendency to leach quickly into and out of the soil. While Organic farming is defined as the use of natural organisms to provide fertilizers, pesticides, livestock feed and weed control.

Advantages Organic farming

· Disease and Pest Resistance - Plants grown in an organic environment resists most diseases and insects and holds stronger during extreme weather conditions.

· Weed Competitiveness - The crops, being healthier, are also better able to compete with those weeds that are present.

· Lower Input Costs- The greater resistance of their crops to pests and the diseases save farmers significantly in expensive insecticides, fungicides and other pesticides.

· Drought Resistance- Organically grown plants are more droughts tolerant.

· Added Value- prices are higher

Disadvantages of  Organic farming

· Productivity- slow rate of production

· Cultivation- is practiced without extensive cleaning of the land

· Genetically Modified Crop- quick development of new verities

· Time- time consuming from the lack of industrial methods

· Skill labour- areas of expertise are needed

Advantages of Inorganic Farming

·  Works immediately- provides rapid nutrients to the plants

· Affordable-cheaper because of rapid and large production

· Convenient - ready to use and could be bought from any agriculture store

Disadvantages of Inorganic Farming

· Leeching- the already broken-down nutrients are absorbed by the plants and remainder is washed away by both water and wind.

· Unaffordable- specially formulated inorganic fertilizers come at a cost that are considerably higher than most.

· Toxic wastes accumulation - inorganic fertilizers contains other compounds which are not used by the plants, they accumulates leaving a build-up of toxic substances in the soil

  Sourcing your own alternative with compost 

 

The average person produces approximately 1 ton of organic waste per year.

Agriculture waste is waste that is produced farming activities or from farm products. Agro-waste is derived from:

· horticulture

· fruit growing

· livestock

· markets gardens

· nursery grounds

· super markets

· Restaurants

All agro-waste can be compost (biological decomposition of organic material.) to make nutrient rich organic fertilizers for plant growth and edible compounds for animals .

Nutrient content of compost  are:

· Nitrogen

· Carbon

· Phosphorus

· Potassium

· Sulphur

· Iron

· Zinc

· Copper

· Boron

· Manganese

· Organic Matter

· Moisture

Types of Composting

Organic waste will break down quickly and is not prone to smell.

· Aerobic composting: - composting with air.

· Anaerobic composting: - This is composting without air.

· Vermicomposting: This is composting with red worms, it also includes composting with bacteria, fungi, insects, and other bugs.

 

Growing Green for a Sustainable Tomorrow

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