The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Organic farming is an integrated agricultural system that strives for sustainability, the enhancement of soil fertility, and biological diversity. It strictly excludes the use of synthetic inputs such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms, relying instead on ecological processes and biological cycles.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: Bio-fertilizers are preparations containing living or latent cells of efficient strains of microorganisms (such as Blue-green algae, Rhizobium, and Azotobacter) that help crop plants uptake nutrients. They are a primary input in organic farming to maintain soil fertility without chemicals.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The use of synthetic pesticides like DDT is strictly prohibited in organic farming. Instead, bio-pesticides and biological control agents are utilized to manage pests.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Organic farming rejects the use of chemical fertilizers. It relies on organic manure, compost, and green manure to supply nutrients to the soil. High input of chemical fertilizers is a characteristic of conventional, intensive agriculture, not organic farming.
- Statement 4 is Correct: Healthy cropping systems, such as mixed cropping, inter-cropping, and crop rotation, are integral to organic farming. These practices help in maintaining soil health, controlling pests naturally, and ensuring sustainable resource utilization.
Key Takeaway:
Organic farming is defined by the substitution of synthetic agricultural inputs (chemical fertilizers and pesticides) with biological inputs (bio-fertilizers, organic manure) and the adoption of sustainable cropping patterns.