Can we produce enough?

The University of Nebraska produced a report in 2007 on whether organic agriculture can produce high enough yields to feed the world.

            Badgley and Perfecto (2007) used data from a global dataset of 293 yield ratios for plant and animal production to show that organic agriculture can produce enough food to feed the world at its current population. They also state that data from 77 published studies suggest that nitrogen-fixing legumes used as green manures can provide enough nitrogen to replace synthetic nitrogen fertilizers (74% of studies came from peer reviewed studies). Suggesting that organic agriculture could feed the world.

            Cassman (2007) responded to Badgley and Perfecto’s report stating that comparison between organic and conventional yields is not enough to conclude that organic agriculture can feed the world. Cassman (2007) calls for more peer reviewed research and states that the question of whether organic agriculture can feed the world remains unanswered.

            Cassman (2007) also highlights that most of our food problems are not about lack of yield, they are a result of poverty and lack of buying power. We often overproduce in developed countries and it’s the distribution of food, which is the problem and organic agriculture wont change that. Equally, there is a great deal of uncertainty in the future, how much will our population continue to grow? How much arable land will be lost due to urbanization? How much arable land will be used for biofuels rather than food? These questions highlight that food security depends on policy and prices as much as it does on yields.