The term organic farming was coined by Lord Northbourne. Sir Albert Howard is considered as the father of organic farming. German philosopher Rudolf Steiner influenced the organic farming with his biodynamic agriculture to a considerable extent. The contribution of F.H.King, Walte Northbourne, Lady Balfour, Louis Bromfield and J.I. Rodale cannot be missed. In the earlier times the output of organic farming was considerably less but since 1980s in response to environmental awareness the demand for organic food increased. Premium prices, certification and government subsidies on organic food attracted farmers to change to organic farming. The history of organic farming can be divided into three stages: the pre-World war II era, the Post World War II era and 21st Century.
The history of organic farming like other great revolutionary movements requires examination of the interplay of science, social values and urge of various organizations to adopt new changes. The development of organic framing before the World War II in the 1930s occurred in a series of stages like the development of organic concepts and methods, polarization around them, their recognition, accommodation and their extension.
The pre-world War II era saw a rapid growth in biochemistry and engineering that rapidly and profoundly changed farming. The gasoline powered internal combustion engine led to the introduction of hundreds of mechanized farm implements. The introduction of hybrid seeds and nitrogen fertilizers changed the labor scenario in USA. Now organic farming required specialized farming in USA. Organic agriculture simultaneously began in India and Central Europe
Technological advances during World War II accelerated the growth of organic farming in the post-World War II era. During this time the world witnessed big advances in mechanization including large-scale irrigation, fertilization, and pesticides. DDT and a range of new pesticides appeared. At the same time, powerful and sophisticated farm machinery led a single farmer to work over larger areas of land and fields grew bigger. In 1944, Green Revolution launched in Mexico encouraged the development of hybrid plants, chemical controls, large-scale irrigation, and led to heavy mechanization in agriculture around the world. Global movements concerned with pollution and the environment increased their focus on organic farming in 1970s.
History of organic farming in the 21st century shows that the focus has shifted to agricultural research emphasizing on biotechnologies like genetic engineering. 21st century is witnessing a rapid growth of agribusiness with the increase in production of organic food. The collapse of USSR in 1989 Cuba and Havana has resorted to organic food production called organoponicos with the help of state supported infrastructure
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