The myth that organically grown crops are inferior and have slower production than chemically poisoned ones is just that — a myth. It has been proven, time and time again by organic growers around the world that organically grown crops, of all kinds, can be just as productive, if not more so, than their chemically-laced counterparts, writes B. Khan

With toxic chemical pollutants decimating the fragile environment and ecosystems of Pakistan, it is imperative that the agricultural community switch over from unnatural crop interventions to purely organic practices. However, whilst some enterprising farmers are actively doing this, others are nonplussed about following suit.

The reason most often cited for this reluctance is that crops, therefore profits, deteriorate with the aid of unnatural means while this may be true in the short-term, it is certainly not so in the long-term provided that  suitable organic practices are instigated right from the very moment a farmer decides to switch to organically sustainable agricultural methods over chemically destructive ones.

The major hurdle in opting to switch is that, unless planning to cultivate totally virgin land or land which has lain fallow for at least five years or preferably longer, it takes at least five years for all traces of previously applied chemicals, be it fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides etc., to ‘disappear’ from the soil. This leads to the fact that unless the land is certified as being organic, the crops produced cannot, or should not, be sold as chemical-free, thus commanding the higher prices organic produce brings in either the home or the export market.

The myth that organically grown crops are inferior and have slower production than chemically poisoned ones is just that — a myth. It has been proven, time and time again by organic growers around the world that organically grown crops, of all kinds, can, as long as the correct procedures are strictly adhered too, be just as productive, if not more so, than their chemically-laced counterparts.

Returning chemically contaminated land to its naturally organic state takes both time and hard work. It is not simply a matter of stopping the use of chemicals but of rebalancing the localised microecosystem entirely through the measured use of suitable plant material such as green manure crops and, after soil testing to establish exact requirements, the addition of organic minerals too. Farmyard manure and poultry manure are not the answer, as chemicals in the form of food additives and antibiotics are heavily used in these industries and toxic residual matter is present, sometimes in very large quantities, in the manure which, if applied to the soil, then negates organic practices entirely. It is also of extreme importance that the microbial and insect worlds are also rebalanced as without the presence of these in the right quantities, problems will occur.

A prime example of the latter and an excellent guide to soil health is the presence, in large quantities, of essential earthworms which are the most efficient soil conditioners on the planet. These industrious creatures spend their lives aerating the soil with their underground labyrinth of tunnels thus enabling both water and air to penetrate below the soil surface. Earthworms also work away pulling above ground plant debris in to the soil where it acts as a natural composting material.

A frighteningly high percentage of agricultural land in Pakistan, especially in the agricultural heartland of the Punjab, is, due to toxic chemical interventions, now completely devoid of any earthworm population at all, hence leaving the soil in terrible conditions. In some places it is nothing more than chemical-laced dust due to misuse of harmful interventions, and, it must be said, in some locations it is either completely sterile or bordering on this.

It is therefore very important to reintroduce earthworms on a massive scale and, while the department of agriculture did instigate such a programme a few years ago, agriculturalists desirous of going organic need to set up earthworm breeding ‘farms’ on a massive scale. In the process of switching from chemical to organic agriculture, it may very well be that crops are reduced during the initial two to three growing seasons but, as farmers will not be spending huge sums of money, or taking out loans to cover their ‘investment’ in a wide range of chemical interventions then, in the balance, they should not make a loss and will, in the long run, be flourishing financially.

Growing organic does not automatically mean that farmers do not need to spend money on improving the soil conditions. For instance on retaining its natural balance, investment is needed in green manure crops (although as long as ‘heritage’ seed stock is used then seed for follow on crops can be self harvested — thus it is only a one-time expense) and on other organic inputs — each one dependent on soil condition which must be monitored regularly in order for essential ‘healthy’ adjustments to be made.

Another problem faced by agriculturalists wanting to go organic is that of obtaining, then maintaining legal organic certification which, at the moment and unfortunately, is no easy matter as the nearest globally recognised and acceptable agricultural board dealing with this is headquartered in Sri Lanka. Its inspectors/advisors must, at the farmers cost, pay a number of visits to the land in question during the period of time in which it is being converted from chemical to organic cultivation and, once certification is awarded, inspectors still need to visit once in a while in order to ensure that organic practices are being properly maintained.

This headquarters was, up until just a few years ago, in Switzerland but whilst Sri Lanka is a lot closer it would make far more sense for our own department of agriculture to train specialists staff to take on this task within Pakistan itself.