Description
Book SynopsisThere is a growing niche market world-wide for organic produce. However there are considerable problems in expanding organic production and it is often considered a lifestyle or philosophical choice rather than an alternative source of ideas to improve farming systems. This book provides an overview of organic systems, from production through to the economic, social and political aspects. It presents a critical appraisal of the successes and limitations of organic production systems and highlights recent innovations. The book concludes by looking at the future challenges facing the organic agriculture industry.
Table of Contents1: Organic production 2: Overview of Organic Agriculture 3: Soil Fertility in Organic Farming Systems 4: Crop Agronomy in Organic Agriculture 5: Special topic 1: Developing No-Tillage Systems Without Chemicals: the Best of Both Worlds? 6: Crop Protection in Organic Agriculture 7: Organic Plant Breeding & Seed Production: Ecological & Ethical Aspects 8: Special topic 2: Biodynamic Agriculture Today 9: Organic Livestock Husbandry & Breeding 10: Animal Health & Nutrition in Organic Farming 11: Animal Welfare & Ethics in Organic AgricultureRegulatory and management issues 12: Organic Standards & Certification 13: Special topic 3: Contradiction of Principles in Organic Farming 14: Economic Management in Organic Agriculture 15: Understanding the Market for Organic FoodBeyond the farm gate 16: Environmental Impacts of Organic Farming 17; Special topic 4: Tillage: How Bad is it in Organic Agriculture? 18: Food Quality & Organic Agriculture 19: Social Responsibilities of Organic Agriculture: Learning, Collaboration & Regulation 20: Special topic 5: Voice from the Other Side: A Ghanaian View on Organics 21: Knowledge and capacity building 22: Research to Support the Development of Organic Food & Farming 23: Education & Training in Ecological Agriculture: Nordic Region & the USA 24: Design of Farmer Education & Training in Organic AgricultureSummary 25: Key Issues and Challenges for the Future"
