Organic Agriculture in Turkey and the World

Abstract

Organic agriculture is an alternative production system that supports soil structure, fertility and conservation by protecting the ecological balance, using biological control methods against diseases and pests; based on the sustainability of living life, aiming for the highest yield with the maximum use of natural energy resources. In this context, it covers a different production process from conventional agriculture. While intensive input applications in conventional agriculture aim for the highest yield, organic agriculture prioritizes sustainability. Sustainable agriculture is defined as an agricultural practice that protects soil, water and biodiversity while meeting food, energy and natural resource needs. To ensure that organic agriculture contributes to sustainability goals, organic regulations need to focus more on environmental and best practices. Increasing demands day by day have positively affected the sustainability of organic agriculture. The common feature of most of the definitions of organic agriculture is that the products should be produced in accordance with the basic standards and that every stage from the land to the table is regularly controlled. The fact that every stage of organic agriculture is audited and documented, and that the practices operate in accordance with legal procedures are other noteworthy elements. These legal procedures provide protection at many points. Organic agriculture is not only limited to safe food production to protect human health; it is also an agricultural and ecosystem management that is environmentally friendly, effective in reducing ecological pollution, protection of water resources, prevention of erosion, protection of biodiversity, agricultural sustainability and agricultural development.