Organic Farming Principles and Practice in Hansta Gard Farm in Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract

Green revolution of food production policy contributes to environmental degradation, green house gas emission, contamination with chemicals, water pollution and increment of antibiotic resistant disease. Such greater impact of conventional farming on climate change, environment, as well as the increasing awareness of customers to safe and healthy food leads to new thinking of sustainable agricultural approach. As a result, organic farming has been suggested as a possible solution. Now days, most Organic farms are located in Australia, USA, UK and Europe. Hånsta farm is one among the organic farms in Sweden, located in the town of Vattholma which is 20 kilo meter north of Uppsala. Hånsta  farm  has been implementing in accordance with  European Union (EU) legislation of organic farms i.e. all animals in the farm have free access to outdoor and  sufficient animals  per hectare. The farm has been doing interesting work on optimizing nutrient cycling through integrated crop livestock production system, optimized tillage system, crop rotation with legume grass lay. Furthermore, the farm is conducting interesting research projects on perennial wheat, agro forestry (forest garden) to reduce tillage frequency, efficient carbon sequestration and to bring alternative for future food production without tractors. Accordingly, Hånsta farm achieved remarkable results on biodiversity and reduction of energy consumption as well as green house gas, but still shows minus sign due to its emission of C₂O, CH4 and N₂O to the environment. Hence, further research is needed to reduce the emission, to confirm the uncertainties related to N₂O emission, C sequestration, appropriate waste recycling and use of renewable energy source like biomass energy to replace fossil fuel.

Keywords: Organic farm, climate change, green house gases