Organic farming is an agricultural technique that relies on environmentally friendly pesticides and biological fertilisers made primarily from animal and plant wastes, as well as nitrogen-fixing cover crops. Modern organic farming was created in reaction to the environmental harm caused by the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilisers in conventional agriculture, and it provides a number of environmental advantages.
Organic farming utilises fewer pesticides, minimises soil erosion, reduces nitrate leaching into groundwater and surface water, and recycles animal waste back into the farm as compared to conventional agriculture. These advantages are offset by increased consumer food costs and generally lower yields. Organic agricultural yields have been found to be roughly 25% lower than conventionally grown crops on average, though this varies greatly depending on the type of crop. The challenge for future organic agriculture will be to maintain its environmental benefits, increase yields, and reduce prices while meeting the challenges of climate change and an increasing world population.
