Scientific Benefits of organic farming

Introduction

In the contemporary modern world, agriculture is based on monoculture and use of chemicals and pesticies as well as fertilizers to produce food. This the major agricultural practice even today in many parts of the world. However, new ways of agriculture has evolved over time as alternatives due to concerns over environmental issues, health and the current debate over global warming and the reduction of carbondioxide reduction particullarly the use of fossil fuel. The current agricultural practices are productive but they are being observed by scientists and enviromentalists that their practices have ecological damage to the enviornment and farmers of conventional agriculture now use some sustainable prectices of some of the principles of organic farming but they depend on the fosill fuels and fertilizers and gentically modified crops to increase yeild and reduce production due to pests and diseases. In this context organic farming has become an alternative to conventional farming. In this article based on scientific evidence I discuss the benefits of organic farming compared to conventional agricualture and disadvantages of organic farming compared to conventional agriculture.

Organic Farming and its benefits to producer.

The conventional farming has been proved on the basis of scientific evidence that it affects soil structure and soil nutrients negatively as well it affects the microorganisms in the soil which are vital for soil nutrients. As well the conventional farming is the main cause of top soil erosion due to intensive practices. As soil is an important resoorce as well as water the conventinal farming even it is productive now tends to lose its productivity over time and becomes unsustainable. In contrasts, it has been observed that organic farming as it is concerned about soil nutrient and soil structure and less energy intensive and crop rotational practices and pest and organic fertilizers and worm farming methods keep mosture and bette nutrient cycling and recycling processes and soil become more fertile or maintians its fertility and healthy plants which can resist pests than unhealthy plants. As well it also reduce the potential for soil erosion and better intake of nutrients by plants. Soil nutrient maintenance, healthier plants, less enery use, better pest control with mnimal use of fertilizers, soil salinity isses are the major benefits to the farmer. However, it has costs as well because the farmer must allocate more time than in conventional farming and learning is difficult and it takes time as well less productive now compared to conventional farming. As well as organic farming do not encourage use of pesticides at all it harms the farmer as organic method of pest control takes time to work and may not be effective compared to chemical method of pest control in some situations. however over dependence of pest control by the farmer is also have negative consequences to the farmer.

Organic farming and benefits to consumers

Scientifically, conventional foods are not different in nutrients compared to organic products. However, there is evidence that organic produce is more tasety than conventional agriculrural produce. As well, organic fodd products are mosr durable and lsts longer than conventional agricultural fodd products. However the price of organic produce currently is much higher than conventional food products. This may be due to the fact that organic farming is a recent farming alternative and in future as yeilds become more these prices may come in par with conventional agricultural food products. In balance consumers have some benefits of organic farming but not to a higher level. The health effects of organic food products are sciefifically not proven compared to conventional food products.

Organic farming and its bebfits to enviornment

Conventional farming has been found to pollute waters due to run offs from fertilized fields and soil erosion and salt formation. Scientifically there exist evidence to this and organic farming as it uses natural methods and less inputs it less more energy efficient as well improve soil quality and plant health. In addition it uses less fossil fuel for its nergy requirements and there fore do not contribute to global warming as it is becomming an international issue. There is evidence that its natural pest control works in some situation but not in others. However a combination of pest control using chemical pest control and natural pset control systems are found to be more useful in many situations. In effect oprganic farming is more enviornmentally friendly agricultural system than conventional monoculture and chemical based industrial agriculture. The organic farming also is less daming to biodiversity values than conventional farming as it recognizes ecological sustainability in its practices. There fore, organic farming is basically benefits the enviornment than conventional agriculture.

Conclusion

As discussed above, based on sicentific evidence and field research organix farming is found to be benefical to producer, consumer and enviornment if it isused combining conventional methods and organic principles in a nondogmatic manner recognizing some of its draw backs compared to conventional farming or industrialized or mechanized agriculture. In the same time conventional farming methds also must recognize their impact on environment and its sustainability issues and on the society and future generations as well as biodiversity issues and soil and water conservation isses as enviornmental issues are becoming a major issue internationally and people are becoming more aware of these issues. Inmy view based on the scientific evidence one cannot discout organic agricultural practices as it has objective benefits to all stakeholders particularly in the future as it becomes more popular method and practiced by many farmers.