Soil Health and Fertility in Organic Farming: A Brief Overview

Soil is the foundation of organic farming, and maintaining its health is essential for sustainable crop production. In organic farming, the focus is on nurturing the soil’s natural ecosystem through practices that enhance its fertility and structure.

Key Practices for Healthy Soil:

1. Composting: Organic matter like food scraps and plant waste is turned into rich compost, which improves soil structure and provides slow-release nutrients.
2. Cover Cropping: Growing plants like legumes or grasses between harvests helps protect the soil from erosion, enriches it with organic matter, and boosts nitrogen levels naturally.
3. Crop Rotation: Alternating crops each season reduces pests, improves soil nutrient balance, and prevents the depletion of soil health.
4. Mulching: Using organic materials like straw or wood chips to cover the soil conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and adds nutrients as it decomposes.
5. Minimal Tillage: Reducing or eliminating tilling helps maintain soil structure, reduces erosion, and preserves the living organisms that contribute to soil fertility.