Principles of Organic Farming Quiz

Explore the four fundamental principles that guide organic agriculture, focusing on health, ecology, fairness, and care. Learn what underpins organic farming practices and how they contribute to the environment and society.

1. Principle of Health

   Which principle of organic farming focuses on sustaining and enhancing the health of soil, plants, animals, humans, and the planet as one whole?

   1. Principle of Profit
   2. Principle of Input
   3. Principle of Health
   4. Principle of Rotation

   Explanation: The Principle of Health centers on sustaining and enhancing the health of ecosystems and organisms at every level. Principle of Input and Principle of Rotation refer to specific practices, not core principles. Principle of Profit is not a recognized principle of organic farming.

2. Role of Fertilizers in Organic Growing

   According to the principles, why should organic agriculture avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, animal drugs, and food additives?

   1. They increase biodiversity
   2. They improve water quality
   3. They reduce costs
   4. They may have adverse health effects

   Explanation: Organic farming avoids these substances because they might harm health, adhering to the Principle of Health. Increasing biodiversity and improving water quality are possible outcomes of organic practices but not the direct reason for avoiding these inputs. Reducing costs is not the main rationale.

3. Principle of Ecology

   Which principle states that organic agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, working with them and helping to sustain them?

   1. Principle of Health
   2. Principle of Ecology
   3. Principle of Fairness
   4. Principle of Yield

   Explanation: The Principle of Ecology requires organic farming to mimic and support ecological systems and cycles. Principle of Health relates to well-being, Principle of Fairness to equity, and Principle of Yield is not one of the four principles.

4. Local Adaptation in Organic Systems

   Why is it important for organic management to be adapted to local conditions, culture, and scale?

   1. It guarantees higher profit
   2. Government requires it
   3. Ecological cycles are site-specific
   4. It reduces farm size

   Explanation: Organic management must consider site-specific ecological cycles to be effective and sustainable. Profit, government mandates, and farm size are not primary reasons related to the core principle outlined.

5. Principle of Fairness

   Which principle emphasizes ensuring fairness, equity, justice, and stewardship among all involved in organic agriculture?

   1. Principle of Fairness
   2. Principle of Ecology
   3. Principle of Diversity
   4. Principle of Care

   Explanation: The Principle of Fairness is focused on relationships characterized by justice, equity, and respect. Ecology covers environmental systems, Care deals with precaution, and Diversity is not one of the four main principles.

6. Animal Welfare in Organic Farming

   According to the principles, how should organic agriculture address the well-being of animals?

   1. By providing conditions matching their physiology and natural behavior
   2. By using synthetic additives
   3. By limiting outdoor access
   4. By maximizing production

   Explanation: Animals should be given opportunities and conditions that suit their natural behaviors, as outlined under fairness. Maximizing production, synthetic additives, or restricting access do not align with this principle.

7. Principle of Care

   What concept does the Principle of Care emphasize in organic agriculture management and technology choices?

   1. Profit before safety
   2. Precaution and responsibility
   3. Uniform solutions
   4. Intensive chemical use

   Explanation: Precaution and responsibility ensure that new methods do not harm health or the environment. Intensive chemical use and profit at the expense of safety contravene organic principles, while uniform solutions ignore the need for adaptation.

8. Assessing New Technologies

   Why should new technologies in organic agriculture be carefully assessed before adoption?

   1. They are always less efficient
   2. To avoid jeopardizing the health of people and the environment
   3. Because they increase costs
   4. They are banned by organic standards

   Explanation: Careful assessment is necessary to ensure technologies align with the Principle of Care and do not threaten health or ecosystems. Increased costs and efficiency are not the main concern, and technologies are not always banned but must be evaluated.