We will explain the reason for this confusion later in the text. But first, we would like to highlight the most critical part. If a fertilizer label bears any statement indicating that it is ‘organic’, can this fertilizer be used in organic farming? To answer this question directly with a yes or no, certain characteristics of the fertilizer must be reviewed.
A plant nutrition material can only be used in organic farming if it meets two criteria.
- The plant nutrition material must be certified by a control and certification body authorized under the rules of organic farming, hereafter referred to as the Authorized Body.
- It must be listed in Annex 1 of the Regulation on the Principles and Implementation of Organic Farming, published in the Official Gazette dated 18/8/2010 and numbered 27676, hereafter referred to as the Turkish Organic Farming Regulation.
Attention and very important: In both cases, before using the relevant plant nutrition material, we strongly recommend that you inform the Authorized Body you are working with and request their approval. Additionally, according to European, American, and other organic farming standards, a control body cannot issue certificates for fertilizer and plant protection inputs. Never disregard a certificate issued by a foreign control body for an input according to the European Union or USDA NOP. Instead, request approval from your authorized contracted control body. There are some reputable institutions in the European Union and the United States that evaluate, approve, and list such inputs, and are also recognized by official authorities. However, please always ask approval from your authorized control body. Some inputs may not be permitted by the European Union, while the USDA NOP may be, potentially jeopardizing your certification. For more information, please read our related article on this subject (Input Use Rules in Organic Farming).
The Source of Confusion
The Regulation on Organic, Mineral, and Microbial Based Fertilizers Used in Agriculture, published in the Official Gazette dated 23.02.2018 and numbered 30341, defines Organic Fertilizer as follows.
Products obtained from plant and or animal based waste and or residues that contain plant nutrients in organic compounds, improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil, and facilitate the uptake of plant nutrients by increasing their availability.
When you read this definition, you might say. Does this definition not already describe the plant nutrition material that should be used in organic farming?
It is true that plant nutrition materials suitable for organic farming fall within this definition. However, meeting this definition alone does not mean that the material is approved for use in organic farming.
Important Clarification
Further details could make this topic even more confusing. But to summarize, according to regulations, fertilizers are classified as organic and mineral. Microbial also exists, but is not our focus here.
If you pick up a product that only states organic fertilizer, organic based soil conditioner, etc., but there is no indication that it has been certified according to the Turkish Organic Farming Regulation, such as the Turkish Organic Farming Regulation logo, the name and code number of the Authorized Body, then this fertilizer is definitely not certified under the Turkish Organic Farming Regulation.
So, can we not use this material? To answer this, you must check whether the relevant material is listed in Annex 1 of the Turkish Organic Farming Regulation.
Nevertheless, organikizbiz strongly recommends that, in all cases, you have your plant nutrition material approved by the Authorized Body you are contracted with before use.