There are myths a plenty around what constitutes natural and organic farming. Bioteq CEO Henry Deale sets the record straight.
Organic is the term conventionally given today to all things natural. In farming it is loosely applied to describe any alternatives to commercial farming practices that involve synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, GMO, and growth hormones.  This is somewhat inaccurate.
One of the most comprehensive descriptions of “organic” is that it is “an integrated farming system that strives for sustainability, the enhancement of soil fertility and biological diversity whilst, with rare exceptions, prohibiting synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, and growth hormones.”
Albeit a leap in the right direction, this description falls short of being totally integrative. Organic by definition means “relating to or derived from living matter”. In chemistry, it refers to carbo-hydrate based structures. Plants and animals need both organic as well as inorganic molecules for growth. A totally integrative way of farming be achieved only through natural farming practices.
Natural farming
Natural farming includes organic farming but goes further to prescribe the methodology involved, which must be in line with processes found in nature. Thus natural farming involves the creation of sustainable eco-systems to produce food for plants, animals and humans.
These eco-systems by preference should have; a synergistic, or at least a neutral, effect on other prevailing eco-systems. Most arable land in South African has been devastated by past farming practices. Rising production cost too are fast pushing product prices to a point of unaffordability. These factors impact adversely on nutrition per capita, resulting in poor productivity, creating a vicious circle instead of a sustainable eco-system.
Progressive farming practices
Progressive farmers have already concluded that an alternative way of farming is the only way to stay in business and and a signficiant number are testing natural farming practices cautiously.  Early indications from limited trials, on various crops, shows promise and have outperformed GMO as a control by 28%. Drought and cold resistance, disease control and predators have also been managed, to acceptable levels, using natural methods and products.
Bioteq’s role in the restoration of natural farming practices is to first rehabilitate the soil by re-introducing humic/fulvic substances combined with probiotics and minerals. Humic acid is applied to the soil, while fulvic acid is applied to the roots and foliage. Thereafter plants are treated with foliage sprays to improve growth (yield) and fight common pests and sicknesses. Humic or fulvic substances also boost plants’ cold, heat and drought resistance.
Benefits of fulvic and humic substances
• Changes non bio-available nutrients into bio-available nutrients and minerals
• Is a chelating agent and a disease suppressant
• Promotes nutrient, macro- and micro-nutrient uptake
• Accelerates seed germination
• Increases crop yields
• Reduces fertilizer requirements and increases yields in most crops.
• Is environmentally safe and beneficial for animals, plants and humans.
• Is water soluble, easy to apply, economical and fast acting
• Facilitates root formation
• Stimulates plant enzymes and hormones
• Improves soil fertility and soil microbial activity
• Suppresses soil and root pathogens
• Suppresses foliar disease, heat stress and frost damage
• Promotes antioxidant activity
• Maintains a sufficient ecological system on the soil and surrounding environment where applied.

For more information go to our Agricultural Products page on our website

Pic : https://www.flickr.com/photos/p_revagar/