why organic agriculture is good

Health Benefits of Organic Agriculture

• Farmworker health. The population groups most affected by pesticide use are farmworkers and their families. …
• Consumer health. Not only is the production of organic food better for human health and the environment than conventional production, emerging science reveals what organic advocates have been saying for …
• Children and pesticides. …

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Answer

What are the advantages and disadvantages of organic farming?

What is the benefits of organic farming? Organic farming minimizes the use of pesticides and chemicals thereby reducing the major environmental issues. It ensures the health of soil, water, air and flora and fauna. Also reduces the major environmental issues like soil erosion, air pollution, water pollution etc.

What are negative effects of organic farming?

Organic farming lowers the risk of environmental pollution and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by severely restricting the use of manufactured chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which come from burning fossil fuels.

What are the problems with organic farming?

Organic agriculture reduces non-renewable energy use by decreasing agrochemical needs (these require high quantities of fossil fuel to be produced). Organic agriculture contributes to mitigating the greenhouse effect and global warming …

What are the environmental benefits of organic agriculture?

Organic production is free of genetic engineering – increasing organic production will help mitigate the unwanted spread of GMO crops and contamination. Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change. Organic agriculture limits the effects of climate change. Organic farmers are extremely dedicated to the excellent quality of their soil.

What are 5 pros of organic farming?

What are the advantages of organic farming?#1 No GMOs. … #2 Supports healthy soil. … #3 More nutrition and flavor. … #4 Supports pollinators. … #5 Healthier working environment for farmers. … #6 Resistance to pests and diseases. … #7 Fertilizers are created on-site. … #8 Opportunity for specializing in niche crops and heirloom varieties.More items…•

What are the advantages of benefits of organic farming?

Comparison Table for Advantages and Disadvantages of Organic FarmingAdvantagesDisadvantagesClimate friendly and easier on the environmentNot 100% organicSustainable and generates lower carbon footprintPesticides and other harmful chemicals may still be present8 more rows•Mar 9, 2022

What is the advantage of organic?

Organic Food and the Environment A few more advantages of organic food to support the environment: Keeps Plants Healthy: No super-insects created by pesticides wiping out farms or wild spaces. 7 Organic plants thrive because they are made stronger with organic practices.

What are pros and cons of organic farming?

Top 10 Organic Farming Pros & Cons – Summary ListOrganic Farming ProsOrganic Farming ConsProtection from animalsLoss of competitiveness of small farmersWater savingsTime-consumingFewer crop imports necessaryMay imply unpleasant smellEfficient land useSignificant swings in quality and yields6 more rows

What are the benefits of organic farming class 12?

Benefits of Organic FarmingEnvironment-friendly.Promotes sustainable development.Healthy and tasty food.Inexpensive process.It uses organic inputs.Generates income.Generates income through exports.Source of employment.More items…

What are the advantages of farming?

Farming creates opportunities to lift people out of poverty in developing nations. Over 60 percent of the world’s working poor works in agriculture. Farming creates more jobs, beginning with farmers, and continuing with farm equipment makers, food processing plants, transportation, infrastructure and manufacturing.

What are the health benefits of organic farming class 8?

Advantages of Organic FarmingImproves soil fertility and maintain biological diversity.Good for the environment and yields are healthy for human and animal consumption.Prevents soil erosion, degradation and crop failure.Decrease pollution and the whole farming can easily rely on renewable energy sources.More items…

What is one benefit of organic farming methods quizlet?

– An ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity.

How does organic farming contribute to sustainability?

Designed to respect nature and to enhance the health of soils, water and air, organic farming is leading the way on sustainability. In fact, if Europe’s farmland all followed organic principles, agricultural emissions could drop by 40-50% by 2050, with plenty to feed the growing population healthy diets.

How does organic farming help the soil?

Organic farming creates healthy, living soils by nourishing them with compost, nitrogen-fixing crops, and crop rotations. As a result, organic farmland stores (or ‘sequesters’) more carbon – on average 3.5 tonnes extra for every hectare), and organic soils are around 25% more effective at storing carbon in the long-term.

How to reduce pesticide exposure?

Food that contains fewer pesticides The best way to reduce your exposure to pesticides in food is to buy organic. Certified organic food, including fruit and vegetables, processed food and meat and dairy products will, overall, contain less pesticides.

What certifications do you need to sell organic food?

For a food product to be labelled as organic, every step in the supply chain, from farmers and packers to food processors and shops that sell organic products, must meet organic standards and prove it to an organic certification body, like Soil Association Certification .

What does it mean to eat organic food?

More resilient farms. Nutritionally different food. Eating organic food means supporting a way of farming that works for people long into the future – from farmers out in the fields to those tucking in at home.

What is nitrogen fertiliser?

The nitrogen fertilisers used in conventional farming can create ‘ocean dead zones’ which deprive life below water of vital oxygen. This can kill fish and other aquatic life. Organic standards ban the use of these manufactured fertilisers, lowering the risk of pollution in rivers, seas and waterways.

How much does bee diversity increase?

Did you know? For every 10% increase in bee-friendly habitats – like that found on organic farms – bee numbers and diversity increases by over a third!

How does organic farming help the environment?

Air and climate change. Organic agriculture reduces non-renewable energy use by decreasing agrochemical needs (these require high quantities of fossil fuel to be produced). Organic agriculture contributes to mitigating the greenhouse effect and global warming through its ability to sequester carbon in the soil. Many management practices used by organic agriculture (e.g. minimum tillage, returning crop residues to the soil, the use of cover crops and rotations, and the greater integration of nitrogen-fixing legumes), increase the return of carbon to the soil, raising productivity and favouring carbon storage. A number of studies revealed that soil organic carbon contents under organic farming are considerably higher. The more organic carbon is retained in the soil, the more the mitigation potential of agriculture against climate change is higher. However, there is much research needed in this field, yet. There is a lack of data on soil organic carbon for developing countries, with no farm system comparison data from Africa and Latin America, and only limited data on soil organic carbon stocks, which is crucial for determining carbon sequestration rates for farming practices.

What is organic agriculture?

Sustainability over the long term. Many changes observed in the environment are long term, occurring slowly over time. Organic agriculture consider s the medium- and long-term effect of agricultural interventions on the agro-ecosystem. It aims to produce food while establishing an ecological balance to prevent soil fertility or pest problems. Organic agriculture takes a proactive approach as opposed to treating problems after they emerge.

How does organic farming affect biodiversity?

At the gene level, traditional and adapted seeds and breeds are preferred for their greater resistance to diseases and their resilience to climatic stress. At the species level, diverse combinations of plants and animals optimize nutrient and energy cycling for agricultural production. At the ecosystem level, the maintenance of natural areas within and around organic fields and absence of chemical inputs create suitable habitats for wildlife. The frequent use of under-utilized species (often as rotation crops to build soil fertility) reduces erosion of agro-biodiversity, creating a healthier gene pool – the basis for future adaptation. The provision of structures providing food and shelter, and the lack of pesticide use, attract new or re-colonizing species to the organic area (both permanent and migratory), including wild flora and fauna (e.g. birds) and organisms beneficial to the organic system such as pollinators and pest predators. The number of studies on organic farming and biodiversity increased significantly within the last years. A recent study reporting on a meta-analysis of 766 scientific papersconcluded that organic farming produces more biodiversity than other farming systems.

How does organic agriculture reduce water pollution?

As the use of these is prohibited in organic agriculture, they are replaced by organic fertilizers (e.g. compost, animal manure, green manure) and through the use of greater biodiversity (in terms of species cultivated and permanent vegetation), enhancing soil structure and water infiltration. Well managed organic systems with better nutrient retentive abilities, greatly reduce the risk of groundwater pollution. In some areas where pollution is a real problem, conversion to organic agriculture is highly encouraged as a restorative measure (e.g. by the Governments of France and Germany).

Is GMO organic?

Genetically modified organisms. The use of GMOs within organic systems is not permitted during any stage of organic food production, processing or handling. As the potential impact of GMOs to both the environment and health is not entirely understood, organic agriculture is taking the precautionary approach and choosing to encourage natural biodiversity. The organic label therefore provides an assurance that GMOs have not been used intentionally in the production and processing of the organic products. This is something which cannot be guaranteed in conventional products as labelling the presence of GMOs in food products has not yet come into force in most countries. However, with increasing GMO use in conventional agriculture and due to the method of transmission of GMOs in the environment (e.g. through pollen), organic agriculture will not be able to ensure that organic products are completely GMO free in the future. A detailed discussion on GMOs can be found in the FAO publication “Genetically Modified Organisms, Consumers, Food Safety and the Environment”.

Why is organic farming important?

Organic farmers are required to use Integrated Pest Management practices, protect wildlife, promote biodiversity, and work to improve and maintain native ecosystems. These efforts are documented in the farmer’s Organic System Plan and evaluated by CCOF. Organic production is free of genetic engineering – increasing organic production will help mitigate the unwanted spread of GMO crops and contamination.

Why is it important to buy organic food?

Choosing certified organic foods provides a tangible way for you to benefit the environment, local economies, and public health, both on and off the farm. Organic food supports you, your health, the health of your children, and the planet. Learn more about why buying organic is so important.

How much carbon dioxide does organic farming remove?

Research from the Rodale Institute demonstrates that soil under organic production can remove about 7,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air each year through sequestration.

What is organic farming?

Organic farmers are focused on preserving the soil for future generations by farming in a way that sustains nutrients and harbors beneficial organisms ( like worms!). Organic farming neither causes nor leads to soil erosion, groundwater contamination, ocean dead zones, or loss of biodiversity.

Do organic farmers use GMOs?

Organic producers do not use genetic engineering (GE) or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Releasing GMOs into the environment without proper research has unknown consequences on human health, the environment, and biodiversity. Organic farmers must bear the financial and legal burden when their organic crops are contaminated due to drift from conventional fields producing GE crops. Read about CCOF’s work to prevent the spread of genetic engineering.

What are organic meats?

Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that have been given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Synthetic hormones have been linked to premature reproductive development in human females and health problems in livestock.

Is organic food safe?

Organic food is safe. Certified organic producers go to great lengths to ensure that their products are safe and risk-free. Get the facts on organic and food safety.

How does organic farming help the soil?

Organic Farming Builds Healthy Soil. To grow healthy food, you must start with healthy soil. If you treat the soil with harmful pesticides and chemicals, you may end up with soil that cannot thrive on its own. Natural cultivation practices are far better than chemical soil management.

Why are organic farms good for animals?

Additionally, animals who live on organic farms are exposed to clean, chemical-free grazing that helps keep them naturally healthy and resistant to illness. As a perk for organic farmers, happy and healthy organic animals are productive organic animals.

How does organic farming help conserve water?

Organic farming also helps conserve water. Organic farmers, in general, tend to spend time amending soil correctly and using mulch – both of which help conserve water. Cotton, an in-demand crop, requires a lot of irrigation and excess water when grown conventionally.

Do synthetic pesticides harm the environment?

Sometimes these harmful pesticides stick around for decades (maybe longer). Synthetic chemicals also discourage smart farming practices such as cover crops and crop rotation, which in turn, may cause other harmful environmental problems like erosion.

How many pounds of pesticides would be eliminated if every farmer in the U.S. converted to organic production

The Organic Trade Association notes that if every farmer in the U.S. converted to organic production, we could eliminate 500 million pounds of persistent and harmful pesticides from entering the environment annually. Pesticide and chemical use results in many negative environmental issues:

Is organic farming good for the environment?

Beyond money and ethics, though, organic farming practices result in numerous environmental benefits.

Is organic farming better than conventional farming?

A large nine-year study by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), shows that organic farming builds up organic soil matter better than conventional no-till farming.

What is FST in farming?

The Rodale Institute’s research program involves nearly 40 years of organic/conventional farming comparisons. The Farming Systems Trial (FST)® at Rodale Institute is America’s longest running side-by-side comparison of organic and conventional agriculture which began in 1981.

Is the gap between certified organic and conventional agriculture closing?

Research from the Dalhousie University Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada demonstrates that the gap in measured output product between Certified Organic agriculture and conventional agriculture is closing rapidly and in many cases exceeding the productivity of conventional and GMO-dependent agriculture.

Is labor cost greater on organic farms?

Labour – Labour costs, however, are often greater on organic farms. European studies found labour costs to be 10–20% greater than on comparable conventional operations.

Is production cost lower for organic farms?

Production cost – Production costs are generally lower for organic farms. Most European studies found that variable (operating) costs are 60–70% lower but fixed costs were higher, compared to conventional farms. Overall, the total production costs of organic farms were lower in the studies.

Is organic farming cheaper than conventional farming?

As a general rule, the UN research indicated that organic farming experiences higher prices with lower input costs than conventional farms, which is often offset by lower productivity in the first few years.

Is organic food good for you?

If you are simply motivated by the promise of high margins and profits, organics is not for you.

Why is organic food important?

Organic food contributes to better health through reduced pesticide exposure for all and increased nutritional quality. In order to understand the importance of eating organic food from the perspective of toxic pesticide contamination, we need to look at the whole picture—from the farmworkers who do the valuable work of growing food, to the waterways from which we drink, the air we breathe, and the food we eat. Organic food can feed us and keep us healthy without producing the toxic effects of chemical agriculture.

How does organic diet help with pesticides?

Pesticide exposure also occurs through food, and switching to an organic diet is an important step in reducing this exposure. Research has shown that switching children to an organic diet drastically reduces their exposure to organophosphates, a class of pesticides that includes the common and toxic malathion and chlorpyrifos.

Is dietary contamination a source of pesticide exposure?

While dietary contamination is a source for pesticide exposure and organic agriculture is critical to reducing this, it is paramount that we also consider all sources of pesticide exposure for children. We must also advocate for pesticide free schools, parks, buildings, and private lawns. For more information on these issues, …

Why are children more susceptible to pesticides?

Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of pesticide exposure because they have developing organ systems that are more vulnerable and less able to detoxify toxic chemicals. Beyond Pesticides has produced a factsheet entitled Children and Lawn Chemicals Don’t Mix, that outlines the need to eliminate children’s exposure to toxic lawn chemicals. Pesticide exposure also occurs through food, and switching to an organic diet is an important step in reducing this exposure.

How to avoid pesticide residue?

The only way to avoid pesticide residues is to switch to organic foods. Some foods tend to have lower pesticide residues either because fewer pesticides are used in their production or because they have thicker skins and, when peeled, contain smaller amounts of pesticides than more thin-skinned products. return to top.

Is pesticide use in production and farmworker exposure a necessary consideration in looking at the whole pesticide problem

Pesticide use in production and farmworker exposure is a necessary consideration in looking at the whole pesticide problem. A shift to organic agriculture is the only way to eliminate toxic pesticide exposure for everyone. For more on the health risks that farmers face, read Baldemar Velasquez’s article in Pesticides and You titled.

Do farm workers get poisoned?

There is no national reporting system for farmworker pesticide poisonings . In California, one of the few states to require reporting pesticide poisonings, there was a yearly average of 475 reported farmworker poisonings from pesticides in the years 1997-2000 according to the report Fields of Poison 2002: California Farmworkers and Pesticides. As discussed in the paper, this probably drastically underestimates the true number of poisonings, since many cases are never reported for myriad reasons including rising health care costs that have heightened reluctance to seek medical attention, misdiagnosis from medical professionals, and the failure of insurance companies to forward reports to proper authorities.

Why is organic farming important?

Organic farming supports pollinators. Herbicides and Pesticides do not differentiate between good and bad bugs, it simply kills them all. In order for there to be life on earth we need to maintain a certain level of biodiversity; this includes everything from the biggest mammals to the tiniest of insects.

What is organic farming?

Organic farming practices healthy growing techniques that aim to maintain that necessary level of biodiversity. 5. Organics support a healthier farm lifestyle and a healthier community. Growing food organically does not harm the surrounding community in which it’s grown.

Is farming an easy job?

Farming is in no way an easy job. The work is hard and the reward can be small. In order to keep the extremely expensive, large scale, non-organic farming practice running millions of taxpayer dollars need handed out in subsidies. In addition, the impacts of non-organic practices need to be dealt with….

Is organic food more flavorful?

Organic foods are often more flavourful. Just how the meat of a stressed animal is not as tasty and tender as the meat of a relaxed animal (so we hear – we’re actually vegetarian!), the flavour of a stressed crop will not be as good as that of a crop grown with ease.

What is monocropping in agriculture?

Planting a single crop in a large area (AKA: monocropping) leaves that crop extremely vulnerable to being wiped out by a single disease or bug. Farmers are forced to spray chemicals that kill absolutely everything other than the crop itself. As a result, that crop is the laden with chemicals which humans should not be ingesting. Having lots of different plants attracts lots of different bugs, all of whom end up working in harmony to promote healthy plants and a healthy earth. ( Read Lessons from the Irish Potato Famine.)

Do organic foods need fertilizer?

Organic foods are often more nutrient rich. Organic foods get their nutrients straight from healthy, rich, organic dirt. If the dirt is healthy then there should be no need for fertilizers. Non organic crops get their nutrients from synthetic fertilizers made from fossil fuels. Years of not replenishing the soil with organic matter forces farmers …

Do organics inhibit super strains?

3. Organics don’t inhibit the growth of super strains (explanation below!)

Why is organic gardening important?

Organic gardening, then, not only betters the environment outside, but inside as well. 2. Protects wildlife. Insects, birds, and other wildlife depend upon clean water and plant life to live, and if synthetic chemicals drift into wooded areas and run off into waterways, these critters are going to have a rough go of it.

Why is it important to use pesticides long term?

Creates healthier soil. Since chemicals like pesticides linger in the soil, atmosphere, and waterways long after application, long-term chemical use can alter soil health and structure. When soil is unhealthy, it’s difficult to grow anything in it.

Is organic gardening good for the environment?

1. Decreases indoor pollution risk. Indoor air pollution can be up to 5 times higher than outdoors, in part because of the use of synthetic chemicals in the yard or garden.

Organic foods are not monocropped

Monoculture farming or planting only one type of plant in a large area makes them more susceptible to disease or bugs. If a disease infects one crop in the field, all the crops will be wiped out. For this reason, farmers often use chemicals that destroy everything except the crops.

Organic provides more nutrients

Since organic foods are grown on soil with little or no chemicals and pesticides, they contain more nutrients such as vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and micronutrients. On average, organically grown crops have 27 percent more vitamin C, 21.1 percent more iron, 13.6 percent more phosphorus, and 29.3 percent more magnesium.

Organic farming maintains soil health

The diverse amount of microbiome found in soil contributes to making it suitable for agriculture. However, when the land is sprayed with pesticides and herbicides, it kills these organisms making the fields less fertile. One of the good things about organic food is that farming is done without toxic chemicals.

Reduces pollution and protect water and soil

All the synthetic fertilizers, chemicals, and pesticides used in farming pollute the soil, water sources, and ultimately the environment. This reduces the land value and makes it not suitable for agriculture.

Organic helps to avoid hormones and antibiotics in animal products

Meat and dairy products tend to take up the chemicals or other substances used in their cultivation. The EPA reports that up to 90 percent of the pesticides that Americans ingest are found in dairy products and the fat tissue of the meat.

Organic farming supports pollinators

Pollination is an integral part of plant reproduction, and it is carried out naturally by wind or insects. When we use pesticides in the fields, it does not differentiate between good and bad bugs. All of the insects are affected evenly, and we decrease the chances of pollination.