Organic Agriculture, Fertilizers, Seeds and Plants

• Discuss the scope and nature of organic farming in today’s world.
• Select appropriate organic management systems for different organic farms.
• Understand the environmental, economic and political issues concerning organic farming.
• Explain the role of living organisms and decomposing organic matter in creating and maintaining an appropriate soil condition for successful organic farming.
• Contrive and apply appropriate weed management practices for an organic farm.
• Select and apply appropriate pest and disease management practices for both animal and plant production on an organic farm
• Design an appropriate system for organic production of cattle, sheep and pigs.
• Design an appropriate system for organic production of poultry and other miscellaneous animals.
• Design an appropriate system for organic pasture management.
• Explain the broad-acre organic production of a grain or legume crop.

CONTENT

Introduction to Organic Farming –

• Scope
• Nature
• History
• Types of organic farming

Integrated Farm Management Systems –

• Rotation design
• Cash crops
• Managing waste
• Permaculture
• Polyculture
• Biodynamics etc

Organic Management Issues –

• Certification
• Environmental concerns
• Marketing
• PR

Organic Soil Management and Crop Nutrition –

• Composting
• Mulching
• Green manuring
• Cover crops
• Organic fertilizers

Weed Management –

• Selecting appropriate techniques of control
• Weed identification

Pest and Disease Management-

• Animals
• Plants

Livestock Management I-

• Beef
• Dairy
• Sheep
• Pigs

Livestock Management II –

• Poultry
• Goats
• Alpacas
• Ostriches
• Deer

Pasture-

• Pasture varieties
• Management principles
• Intensive systems
• Nitrogen fixation
• Correct seed mix
• Risks with legumes

Crops –

• Wheat
• Plant fibre
• Hay and silage
• Mung beans
• Sesame seed, etc

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

The training methodology combines lectures, discussions, group exercises and illustrations. Participants will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of the topics. The emphasis is on the practical application of the topics and as a result participant will go back to the workplace with both the ability and the confidence to apply the techniques learned to their duties.