Organic farming

Organic farming is a way of producing food which recognises the essential connections between the soil, plants, animals and people. Organic food is ecologically produced which means that farmers use methods which mimic and enhance natural systems. For food to be sold as organic there is a legal requirement for it to be produced and handled according to a set of standards and each farm is independently inspected every year.

There is often a great diversity of farming operations on organic farms. This includes the growing of cereal crops, fruit and vegetables and rearing beef and dairy cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and poultry. Other activities such as growing hops, apples and vines for organic beer, cider and wine, or bee keeping (for honey), may also be part of an organic farm.

Fields tend to be smaller than those on conventional farms and boundaries such as hedges, ditches and dry stone walls, are valued for providing homes for predatory insects and animals which help control crop pests. This in turn tends to give the farm a more traditional landscape. Organic farmers strive to conserve natural resources and, by avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, keep pollution to a minimum. The countryside and its wildlife are an integral part of an organic farming system and indeed the care of the natural environment is crucial if the farm is to operate successfully.

The UK has the fastest growing organic market in Western Europe and the third largest in the world after America and Germany. At present, 56% of all organic food consumed in the UK is imported. One of the reasons is that produce such as bananas and oranges cannot be grown here. Another reason is that supermarkets and food processors choose to buy cheap imported produce from abroad. The problem with this approach is that it can price UK growers out of the market. Interestingly, the promotion of vegetable boxes and farmers markets has 10% of organic food in the UK is sold direct to customers. In this way farmers can get a fair price for their produce.

At present 4% of land in the UK is farmed organically by approximately 3.995 producers. There has been a growth of 400%

since 1998. This increase is likely to be have brought about by the increase in consumer demand, changes in agricultural policy and the provision of grants to those farmers wishing to convert to organic farming. The conversion period is two years and it is during this time that farmers need grants to help them succeed. Once they are established, well- managed organic farms, in some cases, can be more profitable than well- managed conventional farms. Organic farms can achieve yields of up to 80% of those achieved by conventional farms, and over a period of years organic yields can actually match conventional yields.

Задание 8. Определите, является ли утверждение истинным или ложным (True /False). В случае ложного утверждения дайте правильный ответ.

1. Organic farmers use methods which mimic and enhance natural systems.

2. Farming operations on organic farms are limited.

3. Organic farmers avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in order to conserve natural resources.

4. Supermarkets and food processors choose to buy more expensive imported produce from abroad.

5. The farmers wishing to convert to organic farming need grants to help them succeed and the conversion period of five years.

Задание 9. Прочитайте и письменно переведите текст. Crop plants and environment

The conditions in which an organism lives are known as environment.

All plants require favourable environmental conditions for their better growth and development. Crops that are not well adapted to the region where they are cultivated will not produce

high yields.

In crop selection climate is the most important environmental factor. The crops which grow best under relatively cool on moderate conditions include wheat, oats, barley, rye, potatoes, sugar beets, red clover, and many grasses. Com, cotton, sorghum, rice, soybeans do best under warmer conditions (1).

Crops also differ in the length of the growing season required for the optimum development. A frost - free period (2) less than 125 days is unfavourable for most crops.

Another factor influencing the growth of plants is humidity that is why (3) the average annual rainfall is a very essential characteristic of an area.

Light is necessary for photosynthesis - the process by which plant food is manufactured. Life processes of many plants are influenced by the relative length of day and night. Long - day plants require long their better growth, while short - day plants produce flowers and fruit when the days are short. Most small grains belong to the group of long - day crops, among short - day crops are com, sorghum, rice, millet, and soybeans. There are also crops which are not affected by the length of day, these are cotton, sunflower, and buckwheat.

Air is an important environmental factor, too. It supplies carbon dioxide for plant growth and oxygen for respiration as well as for chemical and biological processes in the soil.

The environment is constantly developing, this process is known as evolution. In the process of evolution new plant varieties may be developed.

Пояснения к тексту

1. under conditions - при условиях, в условия

2. a frost - free period - безморозный период

3. that is why - поэтому, вот почему

Задание 10. Найдите в тексте эквиваленты следующих слов и словосочетаний:

окружающая среда, благоприятные условия, лучший рост, выбор с/х культуры, вегетационный период, влажность, среднее годовое количество осадков, светолюбивые растения, влиять, обеспечивать, дыхание, быть хорошо приспособленным, оптимальное развитие.

Задание 11. Ответьте письменно на вопросы к тексту (дайте полные ответы).

1. What is environment?

2. What environmental conditions are favourable for plants?

3. When are environmental factors important for plant growth?

4. Do all crops require much light for their growth?

5. What crops develop under cool climatic?

6. What crops require warmer conditions?

7. Why is air necessary for plants?