Review on Significance of Organic Farming on Soil and Food Quality and Human Health

Abstract

Agriculture is important to humankind as it produces the food on which human life depends and has been fundamental to civilization in providing the foundation from which economic activity has developed. organic agriculture is intended to produce high quality, nutritious food that contributes to preventive health care and well-being. Soil is a fundamental resource base for Agricultural production systems. Besides being the main medium for crop growth, soil functions to sustain crop productivity, maintain environmental quality, and provide for plant, animal, and human health. Sustaining and improving soil quality over the long term are frequently identified by organic farmers as their primary goals. Agro-ecosystem management can affect soil quality in the long term by modifying soil physical, chemical and biological characteristics at a rate that is largely dependent on climate conditions and farming practice. crop residues, manures, turfs, forest under story leaf falls, and compost from organic wastes have been used to increase soil organic matter (SOM) content and accordingly to improve soil physical properties in croplands. In comparison with conventional farming, organic farming has potential benefits. The health benefits and risks of organic fruits and vegetables are issues of significant importance due to the increasing popularity of organic food. Organic produce, in comparison to conventional produce, tends to contain higher levels of vitamin C and lower levels of nitrates, though more well controlled studies are necessary in order to reach any definitive conclusions. It has been definitively shown that organic produce contains fewer and lower levels of pesticides than conventional produce, though the long-term health consequences of ingestion of pesticides, and the clinical relevance of fewer and lower levels of pesticides in organic food, has yet to be determined. Organic farming methods can potentially lead to microbiological contamination, but the literature has shown that organic produce does not carry any higher risk of significant microbiological contamination than conventional produce. Taking into account the issues of nutrient content, pesticides, and microbiological safety, the reviewed literature indicated that organic produce can potentially be more beneficial, but certainly not more harmful, than conventional produce for the health of the consumer. However, very few actual benefits have been demonstrated, and at present, the best recommended diet remains as one that is balanced and rich in fruits and vegetables grown under organic management system

Keywords: Organic farming, soil quality, food quality, human health