As we have seen, the modernization of agriculture has come with many environmental implications in the quest to feed our growing population throughout the anthropocene. Many argue that we should revert back to old-fashioned agricultural practices to reduce the environmental damage. This would involve a change from intensive monoculture systems, which are heavily reliant on inputs of natural resources, to smaller scale organic agriculture with less external inputs to supply local demands, using more natural forms of energy inputs.
In organic agriculture, chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not used. Complex crop rotations are used to protect against pests and animal manure is used as a natural fertilizer, legumes are planted to fix nitrogen rather than using chemical fertilizers. The Soil Association state ‘Organic farming offers the best, currently available, practical model for addressing climate-friendly food production. This is because it sequesters higher levels of carbon in the soil, is less dependent on oil-based fertilisers and pesticides and confers resilience in the face of climatic extremes.’
Pimentel et al (2005) report on a Rodale Institute farming trial, which compared organic and conventional farming over 22 years. The main conclusions from the trial reveal that:
– Fossil fuel energy inputs were 30% lower in organic practices.
– Soil organic matter was higher in organic systems, this helped conserve soil and water resources, which were beneficial in drought years, this is important for the future with climate change.
– Nitrogen was higher in organic systems which highlights the success of legume cover crops over chemical fertlisers.
– Crop rotations and over cropping successfully reduced soil erosion, pest problems and pesticide use in organic practices.
– Use of livestock waste as fertilizer reduced pollution as well as the use of chemicals.
– Organic plots had higher biodiversity, which contributes to a healthy ecosystem and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Through the successes seen in the organic plots throughout the study, Pimentel et al (2005) suggest that in order to make our food production more sustainable we should incorporate some organic practices into our conventional systems.
Organic agriculture wont stop our reliance on natural resources but it is using them in a more sustainable way. Organic farming technology can help make farming more sustainable and ecologically sound, but it is heavily debated whether organic agriculture can produce high enough yields at affordable prices to feed the world.
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