Protect Your Tomato Harvest – Say Goodbye to Pests

Job Description

Converting to organic farming involves a multi-year transition period, typically 1–3 years, where farmers must adhere to organic practices but cannot sell their products as certified organic. This transition requires careful planning, including creating a conversion plan, managing soil fertility, and potentially adjusting crops and practices. Farmers may face challenges like lower initial yields, higher costs for organic inputs, and a need for financial support to navigate this "in-conversion" phase.

Key Steps for Conversion:

• Contact a certification body: Reach out to an organic certification agency to discuss the process, requirements, and potential funding options.
• Develop a conversion plan: Create a detailed plan that includes a farm appraisal, soil and manure management strategy, crop rotation schedule, and a marketing plan.
• Adjust farm practices:
  • Cease using prohibited chemical inputs, including synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Focus on building soil health through practices like composting, crop rotation, and using cover crops.
  • Use organic seeds and livestock feed.
• Undergo certification: A certification officer will inspect the farm to verify that organic standards are being followed, and annual audits will be conducted during the transition period.