Lucies Organic Store - UK

Organic Farms

Here are some arguments for and against organic farms and intensive farms - make up your own mind...

In our modern society there are many 'pros and cons' for organic farms and food. Just like every debate there is evidence for and against the argument. What you need to do is to learn as much as you can about both sides of organic farms and farming, and make an informed decision for yourself. Don't let any one thing sway you away or towards a certain point of view. To make an informed decision you need to know the facts - not just what people say the fact are, but the actual truth. Getting to the truth of the matter however can be a task in itself.

There are many people who think that organic farms are better and many who think that they are worse. In this artical I will try and help you to weigh up some of the arguments for and against organic farms and farming. I do this because I feel that everyone has the right to know all the facts and from that to make up their own mind. I hope that this helps. Firstly here are a few advantages and disadvantages for organic farms and intensive farms:

Organic farms - advantages:

• The produce from organic farms is pesticide free and produced in a sustainable way.
• Organic farms can still make use of the new high yielding varieties of crops.
• Organic farming improves the soil quality which reduces nutrient and water loss.
• There is an increase in crop diversity and organic farming methods break up disease and pest cycles.
• The organic farming methods match the crop type and appropriate season and soil more closely.

Organic farms - disadvantages:

• Organically grown crops - yields are lower and more land is required for the same output.
• Organic food from organic farms may have a shorter shelf life and may look more blemished.
• Because organic methods do not produce as many crops as intensive methods then this means that the price is increased.
• Because organic methods use manures this can lead to bacterial contamination of produce.
• The choice of crops (especially those that are out of season) may be limited.
• Lastly, the use of organic or old fashioned pesticides may also be harmful to the environment.

Intensive farms- advantages:

• Intensive farming has been a direct factor in the increase in productivity.
• Intensive farming methods became necessary because of the population rise.
• These methods increased the crop yields to 3 or 4 times those produced by the more extensive (low-input) methods.
• Grain production has tripled within the last 50 years. This also has an effect on world hunger, Per capita grain production has increased reducing global hunger.
• The cost of food has also declined and more food is traded globally and yields increase more quickly and effectively than with the alternatives.

Intensive farms - disadvantages:

• The increases in yields may not be sustainable, the rate of grain in total production is slowing down and the rate of per capita production is now declining.
• The use of pesticides is on the increase but the effectiveness of these pesticides is decreasing.
• The use of fertilisers is also increasing, but the quality of the soil and water is declining.
• Countries that are poor rely on outside assistance and can not afford to buy enough fertilisers to achieve high crop yields.

Organic Farming Pages - Topics & Content