Definition:

A comprehensive and regenerative approach to farming, gardening, and the production and processing of food is known as biodynamic farming. Because it considers the wider picture and attempts to give back more than it takes, it has greater criteria than organic agriculture.

Since 1924, setting extremely high standards for organic farming. Since then, the pioneers of biodynamic farming have been refining this cutting-edge and forward-looking cultivation technique based on lectures given by scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner.

What is Biodynamic Farming?

Due to its focus on food quality and soil health, biodynamic agriculture is an advanced organic farming technique that is getting more recognition. Aiming to build healthy living soil, produce food that nourishes, revitalises, and aids in the development of humanity, it is a farming technique that views the farm as a living system that interacts with the environment. One way to think of biodynamic farming is as a combination of “biological dynamic” farming techniques. While “dynamic” practises aim to influence both biological and metaphysical aspects of the farm (such as boosting vital life force) or to adapt the farm to natural rhythms (such as sowing seeds at specific lunar phases), “biological” practises include a number of well-known organic farming techniques that enhance soil health.

Features of Biodynamic Agriculture:

• It is a comprehensive view of agricultural production that views the maintenance of healthy soil, plant development, and animals as environmentally related duties.
• It places a strong emphasis on using composts and inputs made from different herbal, mineral, and manure raw materials instead of synthetic chemicals.
• Maintaining sustainability by creating alive soil and flourishing plants as a result of the coordinated operation of earthly and cosmic energies.
• Emphasises the integration of farm animals.

2. Soil: To grow strong, healthy plants, one must pay close attention to the composition and life of the soil, including its nutrients, trace elements, microorganisms, worms, and other creatures. The soil is basically a living network of connections and relationships. Plants growing in soil that is balanced in its life forces will be stronger, healthier, and of higher quality. No chemicals are needed.
3. Organic matter: Effective usage of organic matter is necessary to develop this healthy, living soil. Building compost piles and utilising biodynamic compost preparations are two ways to accomplish this.
4. Humus: This enigmatic, miraculous liquid is the carrier of all the nutrients that plants require to flourish.

Humus is totally digested crude organic matter: rich, black, and moist with a fresh scent. It stabilises soil fertility and stores water. When switching to biodynamic farming, promoting the development of the soil should be the top priority because this is the foundation for building it up.

7. Cow manure: It is used in the construction of compost heaps as a starter and for its nitrogen content as well as in the creation of Biodynamic preparations. Cow dung is unique because the prolonged digesting process of the cow adds many beneficial bacteria to the substance.
8. Biodynamic Preparations: These simple, all-natural homeopathic remedies are used to accelerate the decomposition process and potential life forces in compost heaps, as well as the effects of planets, silica and lime on the soil and plants.
9. Crop rotation: Crop rotation, appropriate tillage and other organic farming techniques are wise plans to give the soil a rest after heavy-eating crops (like potatoes, tomatoes and cabbage) and green manure (like legumes and clover) sowing and covering the soil (e.g. grass and clover) to help the soil build up its humus and nitrogen levels.
10. The farm organism: A farm will be healthier if it can be more self-sufficient. The idea is to have a wide range of plants and animals, and only introduce something from outside (such manure or bio-pesticides) if a medical imbalance needs to be corrected. The water source and balance, preventing soil erosion by planting trees and hedges that also aid with wind protection and provide animal habitat, being mindful of insect life and balance, which may include caring for honey bees, are all significant components of the farm.

Advantages of Biodynamic Agriculture:

• The physical, chemical, and microbiological biomass of the soil is quickly improved by biodynamic preparations, transforming the soil into a living system.
• High soil fertility is ensured via biodynamic farming, which results in the greatest possible food for humans.
• A combination of biodynamic and organic farming techniques also results in a higher yield, in addition to increased soil microbial population, enzymatic activity, and earthworm abundance. Thus, biodynamic farming improved plant, animal, and human health while reducing the degenerative effects of intensive farming techniques.