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Grains |
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In the production of grains (corn, rice, soy,
beans), as in the production of any other alimentary products in the
organic system, the work begins with a judicious handling of the soil.
From the agroecological point of view, the soil is important not only
because it provides nutrients to plants and gives them support, but also
because it shelters fauna and flora capable of favoring health and
development to plants in a more balanced and complete way. From there
comes the concept of treating soil as a "live and complex organism"
which, interacting with other elements such as air, water and organic
matter, will provide the cultures not only with a balanced diet, but also
with natural defenses against diseases and insect attacks.
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Another important aspect is the genetic improvement.
Organic agriculture encourages the redemption of plants called "varieties"
because, in cropping and storing the grains, these can be replanted
every year; furthermore, these "varieties" are naturally
more adapted to the local climate and soil. Being more resistant to
diseases and insect attacks, the "varieties" reduce the cost
with alternative fertilizing and sanitary control, bringing a
significant saving of time and money |
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Organic
plantation of corn |
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plants that are more adapted to the soils and climates of each area, and
besides handling integrally the soil’s structure and fertility, a
valid strategy for the organic system of grains consists in the addition
of agriculturist (coffee or fruits) or forestal plants (palm trees,
rubber trees, hardwood, etc). These plants, called "perennials"
because their life cycle lasts more than two years, are introduced in
the system in order to avoid wide expanses of land from being occupied
by a single culture, such as happens with the monoculture of grains in
the conventional agriculture. In refusing the monoculture, the organic
system of grain production also avoids the ecological problems usually
connected with it, like erosion of the soil and the increase of plagues
and diseases. In the organic agriculture, the handling of different
species of plants is always carried out in order to promote ecological
balance and the biological strength of the complex whole. |
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What really matters is
to adjust the complex whole to the needs of the producer and local
communities, to the regional ecological conditions and to the
potential commercial value of the different species. For without
taking into consideration the social and economic dimensions of the
system and its environmental aspect, even if well conducted
technically the chances of permanence in the long term are scarce. |
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