Organic Farming, What is the Answer?
The "Green Revolution" has the world's attention but with every one hopping on the bandwagon, what does the future hold for the food we eat?
Agribusiness and the multinational food producers over the last 75 years have done a wonderful job of providing substantial amounts of nutritious food for a fast growing world population, but is this scenario sustainable? Currently there is a tremendous amount of debate between organic farmers and conventional farmers who are looking for common answers to this debate.
In many countries throughout the world including the United States, China and most of Europe; organic farming is defined by law, so that the commercial use of the term organic is regulated by the government. Unfortunately, these laws are constantly usurped by greedy and unscrupulous parties.This is due to the fact that the enduser demand for organic products in developing economies has grown at about 20% annually because of increasing awareness of organic farming methods.
Organic pest control which allows for a minimal amount of pest damage, encourages the use of beneficial organisms rather than toxic chemicals, utilizes careful crop selection and crop rotation and mechanical, thermal and mulch controls for weeds. Organic pesticides; which are usually derived from plants and not chemicals, allow for the use of natural benign methods of protection.
Conventional farming requires farmers to apply only those critically needed fertilizers to the soil in order to minimize waste pollutants. Organic farmers on the other hand do not have that option because they depend on natural amendments such as manure, which contains unspecified amounts of various elements which can not be adjusted. The most common problem is over application of these organic fertilizers because of their relative lack of strength. These over applications will very easily lead to pollution of the water supply.
Organic farming advocates claim that the impact of laboratory genetic engineering on food quality and plant and animal health is not yet fully understood. Proponents argue that genetic engineering is vital to create higher volumes of produce in the fight to end world hunger without requiring additional land. Often forgotten in this debate, is the fact that some classical genetic engineering such as grafting and plant propagation, has been used for thousands of years, and has done much good for mankind.
The pro-organic point of view regarding the environment in is that modern agriculture is depleting our natural resources such as fossil fuels and fresh water and is polluting our air, soil and water. The large quantities of chemicals, water wastage through high-volume irrigation and the heavy use of fuels for the farm machinery and long-distance transportation are some of their arguments. On the other hand an organic farm is not beyond fault, by the use of natural compost and manure on a large-scale may cause as much damage to groundwater and soil as does manufactured fertilizers.
Organic farming is at a crossroads. Even though there are laws that ensure that the playing field be level for everybody, these laws have been found to be full of loopholes which have led to serious charges being leveled against the regulatory agencies in our government such as the FDA and the USDA.
When America's agribusiness converts to large scale organic farming will they have a viable chance be able to make a profit without hiking the consumer cost to unaffordable levels?
The current food distribution system, as it now stands favors high volume production with large farming corporate operations and will not be easily changed. What we know as organic farming may change very dramatically in the coming years. A growing and aware consumer market will be the main factor driving force encouraging conventional farmers to convert to organic agricultural production methods. I believe this trend will continue.
While this discussion goes on, families will make their own decisions regarding this subject by doing the sane and sensible thing; growing their own produce. The "Revolution" is more than a slogan. It is now a way of life for those who are choosing to join in to make this world a better place to live. - 17273
Agribusiness and the multinational food producers over the last 75 years have done a wonderful job of providing substantial amounts of nutritious food for a fast growing world population, but is this scenario sustainable? Currently there is a tremendous amount of debate between organic farmers and conventional farmers who are looking for common answers to this debate.
In many countries throughout the world including the United States, China and most of Europe; organic farming is defined by law, so that the commercial use of the term organic is regulated by the government. Unfortunately, these laws are constantly usurped by greedy and unscrupulous parties.This is due to the fact that the enduser demand for organic products in developing economies has grown at about 20% annually because of increasing awareness of organic farming methods.
Organic pest control which allows for a minimal amount of pest damage, encourages the use of beneficial organisms rather than toxic chemicals, utilizes careful crop selection and crop rotation and mechanical, thermal and mulch controls for weeds. Organic pesticides; which are usually derived from plants and not chemicals, allow for the use of natural benign methods of protection.
Conventional farming requires farmers to apply only those critically needed fertilizers to the soil in order to minimize waste pollutants. Organic farmers on the other hand do not have that option because they depend on natural amendments such as manure, which contains unspecified amounts of various elements which can not be adjusted. The most common problem is over application of these organic fertilizers because of their relative lack of strength. These over applications will very easily lead to pollution of the water supply.
Organic farming advocates claim that the impact of laboratory genetic engineering on food quality and plant and animal health is not yet fully understood. Proponents argue that genetic engineering is vital to create higher volumes of produce in the fight to end world hunger without requiring additional land. Often forgotten in this debate, is the fact that some classical genetic engineering such as grafting and plant propagation, has been used for thousands of years, and has done much good for mankind.
The pro-organic point of view regarding the environment in is that modern agriculture is depleting our natural resources such as fossil fuels and fresh water and is polluting our air, soil and water. The large quantities of chemicals, water wastage through high-volume irrigation and the heavy use of fuels for the farm machinery and long-distance transportation are some of their arguments. On the other hand an organic farm is not beyond fault, by the use of natural compost and manure on a large-scale may cause as much damage to groundwater and soil as does manufactured fertilizers.
Organic farming is at a crossroads. Even though there are laws that ensure that the playing field be level for everybody, these laws have been found to be full of loopholes which have led to serious charges being leveled against the regulatory agencies in our government such as the FDA and the USDA.
When America's agribusiness converts to large scale organic farming will they have a viable chance be able to make a profit without hiking the consumer cost to unaffordable levels?
The current food distribution system, as it now stands favors high volume production with large farming corporate operations and will not be easily changed. What we know as organic farming may change very dramatically in the coming years. A growing and aware consumer market will be the main factor driving force encouraging conventional farmers to convert to organic agricultural production methods. I believe this trend will continue.
While this discussion goes on, families will make their own decisions regarding this subject by doing the sane and sensible thing; growing their own produce. The "Revolution" is more than a slogan. It is now a way of life for those who are choosing to join in to make this world a better place to live. - 17273
About the Author:
Dick Murray is a concerned American who cares about the quality of the food that our families eat on a daily basis. Our commercial food system supplies us with food that is lacking the nutrients and health benefits contained in the food we consumed not that long ago. Learn how to grow your own food and beat this system. It is not difficult and will be enjoyable to boot.. To learn more visit vegetablegrowingbasics
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10:36 PM
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