Module 2 Topic 2 - Principles and Aims of Sustainability of Organic Agriculture

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM - Organics International)

is the worldwide umbrella organization for the organic agriculture movement, which represents close to 800 affiliates in 117 countries.

Principles of Organic Agriculture

1. Principle of Health

2. Principle of Ecology

3. Principle of Fairness

4. Principle of Care

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM - Organics International)

It declares its mission is to, “ Lead, unite and assist the organic movement in its full diversity.” and vision is the “ worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems, based on the Principles of Organic Agriculture.”

Principle of Health

is the wholeness and integrity of living systems. It is not simply the absence of illness, but the maintenance of physical, mental, social and ecological well-being. Immunity, resilience, and regeneration are its key characteristics

Principle of Ecology

This principle roots organic agriculture within living ecological systems. It states that production is to be based on ecological processes, and recycling.

Principle of Fairness

This principle emphasizes that those involved in organic agriculture should conduct human relationships in a manner that ensures fairness at all levels and to all parties - farmers, workers, processors, distributors, traders and consumers.

Principle of Care

This principle states that precaution and responsibility are the key concerns in management, development and technology choices in organic agriculture.

The goal of organic agriculture

to contribute to the enhancement of sustainability.

Sustainability

it can be defined as the processes and actions through which humankind avoids the depletion of natural resources (which is influenced by the way societies are organized) to keep an ecological balance so that society’s quality of life doesn’t decrease.

Three Dimensions of Sustainability

1. Ecologically Sustainable

2. Socially Sustainable

3. Economic sustainable

Ecologically Sustainable

means that, based on a long-term perspective, we conserve the productivity of the waters, the soil and the ecosystem, and reduce our impact on the natural environment and people’s health to a level that the natural environment and humanity can handle.

Socially Sustainable

concerns issues regarding people’s opportunities to fulfil their potential. Depending on where in the world we live and at what stage in our lives we are, our needs look different. It may concern freedom of religion or finding balance in life in a developed society. It may concern the possibility to educate ourselves, or to provide for ourselves or to live in peace.

Economic sustainable

is an integrated part of sustainability and means that we must use, safeguard and sustain resources (human and material) to create long-term sustainable values by optimal use, recovery and recycling. In other words, we must conserve finite natural resources today so that future generations too can cater to their needs.