New Scientist: Organic Farming Produces 80% More Yield in Developing World
 

http://www.newscientist.com/article/...the-world.html

Organic farming could feed the world

A switch to organic farming would not reduce the world's food supply and could also increase food security in developing countries, say the authors of a new study.

They claim their findings lay to rest the debate over whether organic farming could sustainably feed the world. Organic farming avoids or heavily restricts the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, as well as livestock feed additives.

Numerous studies have compared the yields of organic and conventional methods for individual crops and animal products (see 20-year study backs organic farming).

Now, a team of researchers has compiled research from 293 different comparisons into a single study to assess the overall efficiency of the two agricultural systems.
Available materials

Ivette Perfecto of the University of Michigan in the US and her colleagues found that, in developed countries, organic systems on average produce 92% of the yield produced by conventional agriculture. In developing countries, however, organic systems produce 80% more than conventional farms.

Perfecto points out that the materials needed for organic farming are more accessible to farmers in poor countries.

Those poor farmers may buy the same seeds as conventional farms use in rich countries, but they cannot afford the fertilisers and pesticides needed for intensive agriculture. However, "organic fertiliser doesn't cost much - they can produce it on their own farms", says Perfecto.

Continued http://www.newscientist.com/article/...the-world.html

It's amazing to me that with all of the information out there about fertilizers, pesticides, GMOs, etc, organic farming isn't growing at a faster rate. But I believe in the next couple of years, it will really flourish. The chemical companies have deep pockets.

My wife has a business where she sells environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies. One of her products is an organic agriculture product that can be used in lieu of fertilizers. She has demonstrated that using her product, yields go up 30%, the amount of water needed for irrigation can be reduced over time by up to 30% and, it can help reduce the use of pesticides. It can be used on all kinds of crops, flowers, grasses, etc. Pretty amazing stuff.

because most of that information is bullshit and exaggeration of truths, not fact. If they wanted to get any traction with it they would choose to bring in solid evidence and not just be selling something.

My wife has solid evidence. They did a 10 year study on the impact it has had.

http://www.growbiointensive.org/index.html

:stoned

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