ABSTRACT
Environmentalists, ecologists, agricultural professionals, and policy makers are examining why the massive usage of chemicals in agriculture has led to soil and water pollution, loss of biodiversity, the destruction of natural habitats and many other negative consequences (Sadati, Fami, Asadi, & Sadati, 2010). Sustainable agriculture is at the heart of organic agriculture. Organic Farming (OF) is one of the agro-ecological approaches needed to grow enough food for the increasing population (Azadi et al., 2011). This approach minimizes external inputs such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides to produce non-toxic crops. Thus, it is less environmentally damaging and has much potential to produce more food, as a news release from the University of Michigan has explained. It is known to be an approach that aims to overcome some negative impacts of the Green Revolution on soil, water, landscape, and humans. According to (Partab, 2010) OF is an
ecological agriculture that mostly depend on the management of ecosystems. This agricultural approach is not applicable just for developed countries but is also suitable for the developing world as well. In developing countries can contribute to socio-economic sustainability (Scherr & McNeely, 2008; Willer, Yussefi, & International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, 2004). For instance, it is claimed that OF can help rural development by contributing to tourism activities and generating employment and income to support local economies, especially in poorer countries (Hülsebusch, 2007; Scialabba, 2000).
