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What would happen if the world's farms went organic?
Posted on Jul 14th 2007 10:00AM by Bethany SandersOne of the principles of supporting organic farms is bouying small, local farmers who preserve the earth where they grow their crops. It's often argued that if farms were to go organic, the more labor-intensive farming practices would not only create more work for farmers, but would also not produce high enough yields to feed the world's growing population.
A recent review of research questions that notion and in fact, found that organic farming may produce higher yields worldwide. In developed countries, the study found, organic farms grow about 92% of what conventional farms grow. But in developing countries, organic farms grow 80% more than conventional farms. Not only that, farmers in developing countries have greater access to the tools necessary for organic farming, since pesticides and fertilizers can be expensive. Worldwide, the world's farms produce 2786 calories per person. The study found that if all farms were to go organic, between 2641 and 4381calories per person could be produced. The study found that small farms also produce more per hectare of land than large farms.
The problem is not that we're not producing enough food, it's that the distribution of food is uneven, say the study authors. What do you think about these findings?
A recent review of research questions that notion and in fact, found that organic farming may produce higher yields worldwide. In developed countries, the study found, organic farms grow about 92% of what conventional farms grow. But in developing countries, organic farms grow 80% more than conventional farms. Not only that, farmers in developing countries have greater access to the tools necessary for organic farming, since pesticides and fertilizers can be expensive. Worldwide, the world's farms produce 2786 calories per person. The study found that if all farms were to go organic, between 2641 and 4381calories per person could be produced. The study found that small farms also produce more per hectare of land than large farms.
The problem is not that we're not producing enough food, it's that the distribution of food is uneven, say the study authors. What do you think about these findings?
