Organic Farming History

Today in Australia, the government still allows the spraying of food crops with pesticides that have already been banned in the United States.

Organic farming or the movement to promote such type of agricultural production started out as a reaction of farmers and agricultural scientists against industrialization in the agricultural sector. It must be noted that developments in biochemistry and engineering (for internal combustion engine) during the 20th century resulted in significant reforms in farming. For instance, researches in plant breeding led to the production of hybrid seeds. Meanwhile, the advancement of technology during the World War II paved the way for the improvement of all aspects of agricultural production. Some of these changes include the use of pesticides, fertilizers and large-scale irrigation.

Ammonium nitrate, a substance used in munitions, was a cheap source of nitrogen at the time. Meanwhile, DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane), which was initially developed and used by the military to control disease carrying-insects, was applied in farming, thus increasing the popularity of pesticides during this period.

In Germany, Rudolf Steiner's book entitled "Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture" contributed to the popularization of the so-called biodynamic agriculture. The book was published in 1924. But the term "organic farming" was first used by Lord Northbourne. He derived the term from his idea of the "farm as organism." This concept is elaborated in his book entitled "Look to the Land" that was published in 1940. In the book, he discussed a holistic, as well as an ecologically balanced method in agricultural production.

Meanwhile, Sir Albert Howard, a British botanist, studied the traditional practices of farming in Bengal, India. He considered such practices as superior compared with the techniques employed by the modern agricultural science. His studies were recorded in his book entitled "An Agricultural Testament."

In 1939, Lady Eve Balfour, who wrote "The Living Soil," established the Haughley Experiment in her Suffolk farm. The project lasted for over four decades. In the United States, organic gardening was popularized among consumers by J. I. Rodale in the 1940s.

Then in 1972, the IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) was established in Versailles, France. The IFOAM was formed in order to promote the practice and the principles of organic agriculture worldwide in an international level. In the 1980s, several consumer and farming groups started to press their governments to regulate organic production. This move resulted in the creation of certification and legislation standards. At present, the market for organic products in countries where the method is well-established continues to grow due to the increasing demand from consumers. The variety and volume of organic products also continues to expand due to advancements and the rising demand for such goods.