American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Special Issue

Organic Farming and a System Approach to Sustainable Agroecosystems

  • Submission Deadline: 20 May 2020
  • Status: Submission Closed
  • Lead Guest Editor: Muhammad Waqar Akram
About This Special Issue
Organic farming systems utilize organic amendments, diverse crop rotations and cover crops to promote soil fertility and enhance soil, plant and animal health. These practices increase biologically active soil organic matter which promotes microbial activity, maintains nutrient cycling, and aids in suppression of soil borne disease. Organic amendments increase soil cation exchange capacity and act as slow release nutrient sources, reducing risks of excess nutrient loss to the environment. Soil organic matter also improves water infiltration, increases water holding capacity, mitigates compaction and prevents erosion. These benefits are well established, however, the realities facing farmers are often complex. Harsh economic and environmental conditions and or scarce organic amendments can limit the practical options available. Likewise, organic farms that focus on input substitution to maximize yields may risk environmental benefits associated with organic farming practices. Consumers of organic produce are particularly interested in the potential health benefits of organic food. However, establishing such a connection remains a challenging ongoing area of research. To overcome these problems, a systems approach to research is needed to determine locally adapted and economically viable management practices that conserve resources and are associated with environmental, social, plant and animal health.
Aims and Scope:
  1. Organic farming
  2. Soil health
  3. Environmental quality
  4. Social responsibility
  5. Economic viability
  6. Food quality
Lead Guest Editor
  • Muhammad Waqar Akram

    College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China

Guest Editors
  • Nida Akram

    College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China

  • Umair Kashif

    College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China

  • Snovia Naseem

    College of Economics and Management, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China

  • Ayesha Mehmood

    Department of Management, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

  • Evita Soliha Hani

    Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jember, Jember, East Java, Indonesia

  • Razia Sultana

    Agricultural Economics Division,Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, BINA, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

  • Dr. Shahla Andleeb

    Department of Environmental Science, Government College Women University, Sialkot, Pakistan

  • Dr. Khalil Ur Rehman

    Department of Environmental Science, Government College Women University, Sialkot, Pakistan