Within the last decade food production based on organic farming systems has moved from being a fringe activity to one which is being taken up by an increasing number of farmers and growers. A great deal of research work is now being carried out by mainstream organisations such as ADAS and the universities. In view of this development, students studying for a HND in Agriculture should be given the opportunity to develop an interest in and gain knowledge of organic farming systems. This option will by nature of its length be introductory, but will provide the basis from which students may further develop their interests.

Virtually all the modules of the course will link in with this one and indeed the similarities between organic and conventional farming will be stressed as well as pointing out the areas where the organic approach is quite different.