Organic Farming in Germany: How to Start, A Step-By-Step Guide for Beginners

Organic farming has established itself as a key pillar of traditional and German agriculture and food industries. It is an overall system of food production that contributes to the conservation of natural resources and applies high production standards. Organic farming in Germany responds to specific consumer demand for sustainable food products, promotes more sustainable farming practices, and contributes to the environment protection and the well-being of animals.

More and more organic food is imported worldwide to meet the growing demand for healthy, high-quality food according to organic principles. Germany brings a strong commitment to organic farming, a state-of-the-art food industry with strict quality control systems, and a large variety of organic and natural products to the world table.

More and more consumers are demanding organic products manufactured under the rules of private organizations such as the German Association of Naturland. One main aspect of this trend is that consumers in Germany value social aspects when buying organic food. Germany is Europe’s largest organic market, but the lack of land available for organic farming can threaten its long-term development.

Importance of organic farming in Germany

Organics continue to grow in Germany on all fronts, with trends in traditional farming and food markets. Like other sectors of the economy, Germany’s division was marked by a dramatic deviation from agricultural development. More than 10% of all agricultural reserves are dedicated to organic farming. Organic farmers generally have lower yields but higher incomes.

EU legislation on organic agriculture is fully implemented in Germany. In addition, the regulation on the approval of control bodies after the enactment of the Organic Farming Act and the Organic Farming Act. They cover the rules of enforcement of EU legislation in Germany. National laws do not apply to operators outside Germany who want to export organic products to Germany.

The competent authority responsible for enforcing EU and national organic legislation is the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Half of Germany is used for agricultural purposes. Germany ranks second in global market size and 41st in growth rate, indicating a strong market. It appears to be the mainstream organic product among German consumers.

Germany’s agricultural output accounts for only one-third of the demand for vegetables and only one-fifth of the fruit demand. Potatoes are an exception, where supply exceeds demand. Germany is a main player in the global organic market and has played a key role in the organic food movement. Today, the country in central Europe is well established as one of the most important powerhouses in the organic world.

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Growing awareness of food supply, environmental issues, and sustainability has led to a steady increase in demand for food produced by natural and organic principles and standards. This trend is compounded by a seemingly unending wave of food scandals and growing concerns about food safety and quality control.

Benefits of organic farming

It protects the environment because it works without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. It helps maintain the fertility and diversity of the species and also meets the needs of species-appropriate animal husbandry. Organic production is not just about avoiding conventional chemical inputs. Still, a method of production that focuses on prevention methods that limit the need for outdoor and off-farm inputs is often called cultural methods.

These methods include crop rotation between plant families, soil organic matter construction techniques such as covering or fertilizing crops and handling animal manure properly, selection of disease-tolerant plants; these include searching for pests and diseases, the use of trap crops, and the proper disposal of disease. Crop residues and good hygiene, and maintaining biodiversity in the fields.

Organic farming is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances the health of the agricultural ecosystem, including biodiversity, the biological cycle, and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of management methods, preferring off-farm inputs, given that regional conditions require a locally adapted system. It is done using synthetic materials, agricultural, biological and mechanical methods, where possible, to accomplish a particular task within the system.

Scope of organic farming in Germany

Save time carrying out entry-level research by finding the growth, size, and leading players in the organic food market in Germany
Use the Five Forces analysis to find the intensity of competition and, therefore, the attractiveness of the organic food market in Germany.
Leading company profiles reveal organic food market players’ global processes and financial performance.
Add weight to the offerings and pitches by understanding the future growth of Germany’s organic food market with five-year forecasts by value and volume.

Soil management for organic farming in Germany

Organic farming recognizes soil as central to a sustainable farming system. Soil fertility is determined by a set of interactions by organic matter. It maintains the good physical condition of the soil (e.g., soil structure, ventilation, and water holding capacity). In organic farming systems, soil fertility means more than just providing macro and micronutrients to plants.

Organic systems are designed to retain nutrients in organic reserves or biologically available mineral forms rather than providing nutrients through repeated fertilizer additions. Soils rich in organic matter have more air and water and produce more than soils with less organic matter. They also permanently release nutrients to plants, prevent erosion, and host a strong population of beneficial microorganisms.

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Soil building practices like crop rotation, intercropping, symbiotic associations, core crops, organic fertilizers, and at least organic farming methods. They encourage animals and plants, improve soil texture and structure, and create more stable systems. As a result, cycling increases nutrition and energy and the soil’s ability to retain nutrients and water, compensating for the non-use of mineral fertilizers.

Such organic management techniques also play an important role in controlling soil erosion. Soil erosion time is reduced, soil biodiversity is increased, and nutrient losses are reduced, which helps maintain and increase soil productivity. Nutrient crop exports are usually offset by renewable resources obtained from the farm. Still, sometimes it is necessary to supplement the organic soil with potassium, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements from external sources.

Seed selection for organic farming in Germany

Choosing the right seed variety is the key to success. A farmer must balance the customer’s desires with the varieties that perform best on his farm. Select disease-resistant hybrid seed varieties can be important for successful organic production. In addition to these concerns, organic growers have other seed requirements:

Certified organic seeds or seedlings should be used when a variety of certified organic is available (such as by checking with at least five reputable organic seed dealers).
If the desired type is not available, be sure to use untreated seeds (i.e., cannot use unapproved fungicides or seed coatings)
GMO seedlings or seeds are not allowed

Organic farming practices in Germany

Organic farming considers the medium- and long-term effects of agricultural interventions on the agricultural ecosystem. The main goal is to produce food while maintaining ecological balance to prevent soil fertility or pest problems. Organic farming takes an active approach to treating problems instead of treating them.

Analysis of the financing role in Germany indicates that from the perspective of organic farmers, policy support for organic farming, especially area-based payments, is important. A comparison of the various aid budgets in the agricultural sector shows that the specific support for organic farming is not significantly higher than the domestic and foreign expenditure.

Crop rotation – Crop rotation is a system for reproducing different types of crops on the same land.

Green manure and cover crops – These crops are grown mainly for reasons other than short-term economic benefits. They are not designed for sale, but their benefit to later cash crop production. Cover crops protect bare soil from erosion. Green manure improves soil fertility. Since a covering crop must be added to the soil, it becomes green manure so that conditions can be changed to a reasonably interchangeable.

Manuring and Composting – It provides many nutrients for crop production, including micronutrients and valuable organic matter sources.

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Companion Planting and Intercropping – Intercropping is defined as growing two or more crops to promote beneficial interactions. Companion planting refers to establishing two or more species close to share cultural benefits, such as pest control or increased productivity.

Biological pest control – Biological pest control is using one or more beneficial organisms to control biological pests, commonly called natural enemies, to reduce the number of other types of organisms the pest.

Mulching – Organic mulches, such as straw or spoiled hay, can reduce the need for cultivation, prevent soil erosion and crusting, and replenish organic matter.

Supplemental Fertilization – Management of organic farming relies on promoting biodiversity in the field to disrupt the habitat of insects and to maintain and replenish soil fertility purposefully. Organic farmers are not allowed to use artificial pesticides or fertilizers.

Pay attention to organic growing plants in Germany

Water is essential; some vegetables and herbs must be checked daily for drying. Drainage is essential for plant health. Always buy utensils with holes in the bottom. Harvesting is also an essential part of growth and disease control. Tomatoes and other plants produce shoots that must be controlled to maximize plant growth, and diseased parts of any plant must be removed before they can spread to other plants.

Weed management in organic farming in Germany

Weed management is an important practice in organic farming. The sticking of weeds to soil nutrients affects crop yields. Two techniques provide a weed solution.

Moving or cutting – In the process, cut the weed.
Mulching – In this process, farmers use a plastic film or plant residue on the soil surface to prevent weed growth.

Pest management for German organic agriculture

Cannot use synthetic pesticides.
Can use naturally occurring substances, such as kaolin, neem oil, soap, vinegar, or oil-based herbicides.
Can use biological controls can be used, such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), Trichoderma spp., Predatory nematodes, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps.
Can use physical methods like hand removal, exclusion devices, sticky traps, trap crops, vacuuming, colored mulches, flame-weeding, and solarization.
Can use cultural methods, such as applying drip irrigation to minimize wet leaf and weed germination, arranging crop breaks to provide good air circulation, soil maintaining maximum nutrient levels, timely planting, cleaning equipment and machinery, and use of resistant plant varieties.

How many organic farms are there in Germany?

According to the BÖLW (Organic Food Production Alliance), there are about 30,000 organic farms. It is about one-tenth of all agricultural enterprises. To achieve the government’s target, another 30,000 to 40,000 farmers will have to switch to organic farming.

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Key guarantees of organic agriculture certification in Germany

The Organic Agriculture Europe Certification applies to agricultural raw materials and food products.
Farmers, producers, processors, distributors, importers, exporters, and any other stakeholder in the agri-food sector can apply for this Organic Agriculture Label.
Organic farming means respecting the principles, principles, and requirements of organic farming. Anyone who wants to become an organic farmer should ensure that they are aware of the necessary legislation, so they are fully aware of their responsibilities.
Before starting an activity in the organic sector, you should contact the competent agricultural authority in your country. It can provide information on available support measures and more general advice.

Organic Agriculture Europe Certification Guarantees:

Climate and Environmental Protection
Soil Fertility Protection
Biodiversity Preservation
Absence of Chemical and Synthetic Products Usage
Absence of GMO
Transparent Labelling for Organic Consumers

Financial support for organic farmers in Germany

The European Union not only provides financial support to farmers. Farmers can benefit from advice on best organic practices or new and innovative solutions. It can improve performance and therefore increase profit margins. The European Agricultural Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) works to promote competitive and sustainable farming and forestry that ‘achieves more and better from less.’

The EU also helps farmers set up producer organizations that protect them from unfair trade practices and provide assistance during market fluctuations. Organic farmers can also apply for income support under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). These include direct payments, especially for young farmers.

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EU financial support can be used to both change organic farming and maintain organic status. It is in recognition of the role of organic farming in the various rural development priorities and the potential social benefits of organic production methods. EU countries can allocate aid in a variety of ways. So, they can respond to the specific challenges that their organic farmers may face.

Conclusion

Europe is the largest producer and market for organic food worldwide, and Germany is the leading market in Europe. Germany is the leading country in Europe regarding both acreage and the total number of farms dedicated to organic farming methods.

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