Organic Agriculture

Organic production is production according to standards built on the 4 principles of organic agriculture by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements - IFOAM (https://www.ifoam.bio), assessed for standard compliance by a certification body, and labeled for sale as an organic product according to regulations.

What is Organic Agriculture

Ecological basis of the organic production system

Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems, and people. It relies primarily on ecological processes, biodiversity, and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation, and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved in organic agriculture. (According to IFOAM-2005).

Four basic principles of organic agriculture

In 2005, the IFOAM General Assembly held in Adelaide, Australia, agreed on a common definition of organic agriculture and established 4 principles: Health, Ecology, Fairness, and Care, guiding production and the development of organic agriculture standards worldwide.

IFOAM established these principles as a foundation for building and developing organic agriculture globally. These principles also demonstrate what organic agriculture contributes to the world; combined with ethical values, they serve as a guide for building standards and organic agriculture development programs suitable for each country around the world.

Principle of Health

Organic agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible. This principle points out that the health of individuals and communities cannot be separated from the health of ecosystems. Healthy soil produces healthy crops that foster the health of animals and people.

Whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, organic agriculture must ensure the maintenance and enhancement of the health of ecosystems and organisms, from the smallest in the soil to humans. In particular, organic agriculture focuses on producing high-quality, nutrient-dense food to provide for and protect human health.

Based on this principle, organic agriculture must avoid the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, and growth stimulants—materials that have adverse effects on health.

Principle of Ecology

Organic agriculture is based on living ecological systems and natural cycles. Components within the ecosystem work together, compete, and sustain life together. This principle roots organic agriculture within dynamic ecosystems. It states that production is to be based on ecological processes and recycling. Nourishment and well-being are achieved through the ecology of the specific production environment. For example, crops need a living soil environment, livestock need a farm ecosystem, and fish and marine organisms need a water environment.

Organic farming, pastoral and wild harvest systems should fit the cycles and ecological balances in nature. Management must be adapted to local conditions, scale, culture, and ecology. Inputs should be reduced by reuse, recycling, and efficient management of energy and materials in order to maintain and improve environmental quality and conserve resources.

In organic agriculture, achieving ecological balance requires designing farm systems, establishing habitats for organisms, and maintaining biodiversity. Anyone who produces, processes, trades, or consumes organic products should protect the habitat and shared landscape and will benefit from it directly.

Principle of Fairness

Organic agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities for all living beings. Fairness is characterized by equity, respect, justice, and stewardship, not only toward humans but also in relation to other forms of life around us.

This principle emphasizes that everyone involved in organic agriculture should treat all classes and stakeholders fairly: farmers, workers, intellectuals, distributors, traders, and consumers. It also implies that organic livestock should be respected and provided with opportunities and living conditions according to their instincts, natural behaviors, and welfare.

Fairness is also reflected in the use and management of natural resources that ensure not only ecological integrity but also social justice and trust for future generations. This fairness requires that systems for production, distribution, and trade be open and account for the real social and environmental costs fairly.

Principle of Care

Organic agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment. Attention must be paid to the choice of management, development, and technology adoption in organic farming to prevent potential risks before implementation. Organic agriculture does not accept the use of technologies with unpredictable consequences, such as genetic engineering.

Organic practitioners can strive to enhance productivity and efficiency, but not at the risk of jeopardizing the health and well-being of all living beings. Consequently, new technologies must be assessed and existing methods reviewed before adoption. Incomplete understanding of agricultural and ecological impacts requires careful consideration prior to implementation.

This principle focuses on precaution and responsibility as key elements in management and technology choices in organic agriculture. Science is necessary to ensure that organic agricultural products are healthy, safe, and ecologically sound. However, scientific knowledge alone is not enough — practical experience, indigenous knowledge, traditional methods, and accumulated skills provide valuable solutions that have been tested over time.

Source: Coordination Committee – PGS Vietnam.