Article 21 · Land & Farm Design
Organic Farming, Natural Farming, and Permaculture: How Do They Compare?
A clear comparison of three related but distinct approaches, focusing on what each term describes and what it does not guarantee.
At Dasot Organic Farms, our journey has moved from organic cultivation trials to permaculture and, later, Vriksha Ayurveda-based plant care. These are related strands of our work, not interchangeable labels.
Understanding the differences helps you ask better questions about your own farm.
Approach Main emphasis What to check
Organic farming Soil fertility, ecological Which inputs and practices are
management and practices permitted; certification consistent with the organic requirements where relevant system being followed
Natural farming Working with local ecological The actual practices used,
processes, biomass recycling available resources and crop and reduced dependence on response purchased inputs; methods vary between approaches
Permaculture Designing relationships Whether placement and
between water, soil, plants, management fit the site and animals, infrastructure and those caring for it people
Avoid simple assumptions
- Organic farming is more than replacing one fertiliser with another.
- Natural farming is not one universal recipe or a guarantee of zero labour.
- Permaculture does not prescribe one tillage method for every situation.
- A farm-made input is not automatically suitable for every crop or accepted under an organic standard.
- None of these names proves that a farm needs no water, nutrients or continuing care.
Begin with your practical needs
Ask what you want to grow, what the land can support and what work you can sustain. Then assess the methods against those conditions.
For us, learning has meant retaining useful practices while investigating what needs to change. The label should explain the work, not replace evidence of how it performs.