Organic Agriculture in China and Egypt

Organic agriculture is a production management system, which promotes and enhances ecosystem health, including biological cycles and soil biological activity. It encompasses a range of land, crop and animal management procedures that use little or no external inputs. Organic agriculture promotes the use of local natural resources. Among the major characteristics of organic agriculture are the : * Enhancement of the biological diversity within the whole system; * Increase of soil biological activity; * Maintenance of long-term soil fertility; * Recycling of wastes of plant and animal origin with a view to return nutrients to the system and therefore minimize the use of non-renewable resources; * Reliance on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems; * Promotion of the healthy use of soil, water and air as well as the minimization of all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural practices; and * Careful handling of agricultural products so as to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the product at all stages.