ORGANIC FARMING AND SOIL BIODIVERSITY: SUSTAINABLE APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING SOIL HEALTH AND CROP PRODUCTION

Soil is one of the most important natural resources supporting agricultural production and terrestrial ecosystems. Its physical, chemical, and biological properties directly influence crop growth, nutrient cycling, water availability, and environmental quality. Intensive agricultural practices, including excessive tillage, inappropriate fertilizer application, and continuous monocropping, can negatively affect soil quality and biological diversity. Organic farming has emerged as an important approach to sustainable agriculture because it emphasizes natural nutrient cycling, biological processes, biodiversity, and reduced dependence on synthetic agricultural inputs. This review examines the relationship between organic farming and soil biodiversity and evaluates the potential contribution of organic agricultural practices to soil health and sustainable crop production. Major practices discussed include compost application, crop rotation, cover cropping, green manuring, reduced soil disturbance, biological pest management, and integrated organic nutrient management. Soil microorganisms, earthworms, fungi, and other soil organisms play important roles in decomposition, nutrient cycling, soil aggregation, and plant health. Organic management can provide habitat and food resources that support these biological communities. However, organic farming also faces challenges, including nutrient availability, weed management, potential yield variability, labour requirements, and access to suitable organic inputs. Successful organic agriculture therefore requires appropriate management, scientific knowledge, farmer training, and adaptation to local conditions. Integrating soil biodiversity into agricultural management can contribute to improved soil resilience, efficient nutrient cycling, water conservation, and long-term agricultural sustainability. Organic farming, when appropriately designed and managed, can therefore form an important component of environmentally responsible agricultural development.