An organic approach to industrial farming can help make large-scale modern farming practices more sustainable. Considering that it is expected that world population will reach nearly 10 billion by year 2050, the debate over how to sustainable farming to feed such a multitude of people without destroying the Earth has emerged as one of the most important topics of our time. Most underdeveloped countries are already using organic farming methods, and it is up to large-scale farmers in developed countries to begin switching their practices.
Here are 4 problems with modern technology
PROBLEM 1: Use of Monoculture
Lack of rotations and diversification take away key self-regulating mechanisms, turning monocultures into highly vulnerable agroecosystems dependent on high chemical inputs.
PROBLEM 2: High Reliance on Artificial Pesticides/ Fertilizers
These pollutants greatly reduce the use of the land and causes topsoil degradation. This causes the extreme pollution of local rivers and water sources.
PROBLEM 3: Poor Soil Quality
The soil is a vital component of our modern agricultural systems and with soil degrading at a faster rate than ever, we are losing arable land at a faster and faster rate every day. During the last 40 years, nearly one-third of the world’s arable land has been lost by erosion and continues to be lost at a rate of more than 10 million hectares per year.
PROBLEM 4: Extreme Water Consumption and Pollution
Industrial agriculture also releases mass amounts of pollutants through it’s irrigation systems into nearly by lakes, rivers, and groundwater systems which causes major problems worldwide.
Organic Farming Alternative
Organic farming can be a healthy alternative not only for our bodies, but also for our planet as a whole if it joins forces with our modern industrial agriculture. Organic farming offers benefits that are sustainable and long term. Organic farming allows the soil to remains arable for a longer period of time and the water in the area to stay clean and drinkable. Organic agriculture, when practiced responsibility can help alleviate environmental stresses and contribute to the healing of the world.
Organic agriculture has the potential to contribute quite substantially to the global food supply, while reducing the detrimental environmental impacts of conventional agriculture.
Here are two links exploring the debate of expanding organic agriculture use;
A full report on organic agriculture from FAO
A research paper from University of Hawaii titled Can Organic Farming Feed the World?
The WWOOF, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms is an organization that has volunteers around the world who help in organic farms around the world.
