What is organic farming? Discuss the benefits of organic farming as a viable practice in the context of developing nations like India.

(N/A) Organic farming is an agricultural system that uses biofertilisers,organic manure,and biological pest control instead of synthetic chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Biofertilisers are organisms that enrich the nutrient quality of the soil.
- The main sources of biofertilisers are bacteria,fungi,and cyanobacteria.
- The nodules on the roots of leguminous plants are formed by the symbiotic association of $Rhizobium$. These bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen into organic forms,which are used by the plant as nutrients.
- Other bacteria can fix atmospheric nitrogen while free-living in the soil (examples: $Azospirillum$ and $Azotobacter$),thus enriching the nitrogen content of the soil.
Currently,in our country,a number of biofertilisers are available commercially,and farmers use these regularly to replenish soil nutrients.
Benefits of organic farming:
$(i)$ Soil fertility is maintained for a long period.
$(ii)$ Water quality is preserved by reducing chemical runoff.
$(iii)$ It is an economical option as farmers do not need to spend money on expensive chemical pesticides and insecticides.
$(iv)$ It promotes the production of nutritious,high-quality crops free from toxic chemical residues.