Environmental, Energetic, and Economic Comparisons of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems
A controversial issue surrounding our farming practices today is whether or not farmers should use conventional farming methods or organic farming methods. The main argument to support conventional farming is that it provides a greater amount of output, and thus will provide food for more people. Since our population continues to grow, providing greater quantities of food is necessary to continue to support all the people. However, conventional farming practices use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides to produce such desired yields. Are we increasing the quantity of our food only to also increase the amount of toxins we are putting into our bodies?
Pimentel et al. completed a study in Pennsylvania at the Rodale Institute to compare the differences between organic farming and conventional farming. They admitted that their conclusions may differ compared to other experiments conducted because of their chosen location, the amount of moisture in the area, and the length of the growing season. However, their findings were still significant. Based on the twenty-two year study, they found that organic farming increases the soil moisture because it often has larger amounts of organic matter. Increasing the water retention of the soil makes the land more tolerant to droughts. Also, organic farmland has a larger biodiversity. Earthworms and arthropods ensure that the organic matter is broken down as they tunnel through the soil. The paths that these invertebrates create also allows for percolation and aeration, thus reducing runoff and providing necessary oxygen to plant roots. Hence, organic farming has many benefits over conventional farming.
When the quantity of crops produced did differ between the two methods, it was most often a result of differing climatic conditions. Years of drought saw higher quantities produced in organic fields while years of high rainfall showed increases in the quantities of crops under conventional practices. A nitrogen deficiency often decreased the organic farm yields, but this issue was combated in the Rodale Institute study through the use of legumes and extra manure. Other studies, such as the one conducted in European countries can attribute their much lower yields in organic farming practices to this nitrogen deficiency.
Furthermore, the economical benefits differ between the two methods. Organic farming generally requires fewer fossil fuels and provides a higher return to the farmer. The demand for organic products has risen, and thus prices for such products have also risen. Conventional farming generally has higher production costs because it utilizes fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. These chemicals are not cheap and thus reduce the returns received from crop yields. In terms of efficiency, conventional farming practices often reduce the health of the soil whereas organic farming practices maintain that soil quality. As a result, organic farmlands are able to maintain the same quantities over a longer period of time.
Because our climate is becoming unstable, more of our agricultural practices should apply organic farming techniques such as crop rotations, manure as fertilizers, and reduced levels of synthetic chemicals. Increased drought tolerance as well as increased percolation would assist the land in providing a more suitable environment for the crops. Natural systems are better at adapting to changing weather patterns then systems that have been altered by people. A diverse number of fungi and invertebrates maintain the soil’s health, and thus help to maintain the levels of pests through community interactions. Fungi that are beneficial to crop growth may be able to out-compete fungi that are harmful, thus reducing the harmful fungi’s population. In human altered systems, fungicides have to be applied to kill the pests because the “good” fungi are often not present. Beneficial fungi are often destroyed by previous applications of fungicide or because of other synthetic chemicals that have been added to the soil. Therefore, removing these beneficial fungi also removes the mechanism that maintained the detrimental fungi, hence resulting in further fungicide application to remove the detrimental fungi.
Also, decreasing the number of chemicals that people are consuming would most likely improve the health of society. After all, aren’t we already exposing ourselves to enough toxins through the use of electronic gadgets and fumes from industries and automobiles? We do not need to ingest harmful toxins as well. Residues remain on fruits and vegetables as well as in the tissues of the plants and animals we consume. The synergistic effects of many harmful substances in our environment, whether they are on food items or in the gizmos that we buy in stores, are often unknown and therefore have not been connected to the multitude of health problems arising in today’s society.
Easton T. Classic edition sources: environmental studies. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2009. pp. 146-51.
Related Links...
CBC. Going organic; growing demand, tougher regulations. [Online]. Avail from: http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/05/07/f-food-organic.html [2009 Jul 29]
Earthbound Farm. Organic farming 101: disease control. [Online]. Avail from: http://www.ebfarm.com/WhyOrganic/101/DiseaseControl.aspx [2009]
Thurnell-Read J. What are the advantages of organic farming. [Online]. Avail from: http://www.organicfoodinfo.net/What_Are_The_Advantages_of_Organic_Farming.php [2009]
