Is Organic Farming the Answer?
First, let me ‘fess up. I was raised amongst farmers who thought organic farming was not the way to feed the world. In fact, they tended to foam at the mouth when it was mentioned. They had vivid memories of what a bit of nitrogenous fertilizer would do for yields, of how a crop that looked as if it would be lost to a sea of writhing wireworms that had appeared from one day to the next could be rescued with a dose of pesticide.
So I’ve tended to be skeptical about claims that organic is more natural, does less damage to the environment, and produces food that is healthier and tastier. But I’ve had to ask myself: On what grounds? Do I have the evidence.
That’s why I really appreciate this paper by Anthony Trewavas of the Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Edinburgh. It pulls together research from a wide range of different disciplines that bears on the debate between organic and conventional agriculture. As he works his way through pesticides and cancer, organic and conventional soil properties, manures and mineral fertilizers, biodiversity, energy use and cost of organic farming, and no-tell agriculture, I have a sense of relief that he’s not reducing the discussion to the slogans that you read in the press. And for someone like me who has never seen a bibliography that she did not love, it’s wonderful to have four double-column pages of references to the technical literature.
Trewavas comes to conclusion that organic is not healthier nor tastier nor environmentally superior.
He does believe that farm management is critical for efficient farming that maintains the soil in good condition, supports a diverse fauna and flora, promotes animal welfare, etc. He argues for the use of GM crops to enable the environmental benefits of no-till agriculture.
Elsewhere, not in this paper, he is in favor of Integrated Farm Management, a system introduced in the early 1990s that appears to be in rapid evolution. This uses all the modern science and technology we can lay our hands on, including the use of computers, to improve management of farms. You might want to look at the web site for LEAF, the NGO that is promoting this in the UK.
This all seems a much better way to proceed to me than refusing to use soluble minerals and synthetic herbicides and pesticides. And even if you are not of one mind with Trewavas on all his proposals, I suggest that the paper is an essential executive summary of recent research.
Depends on the classification of “Organic” somewhat? There are different levels of EU certification I believe. Speaking to an organic fruit seller on the weekend, turns out that although Australia is a major exporter of Organic goods, there is no actually minimum requirement within Australia itself (must check these facts).
Also most likely depends of the specific fruit or veg. Carrots seem to absorb certain pesticides at very high levels, with apples they basically wash off or don’t penetrate the peel.
Having read this paper again I have a few more comments. The analysis and conclusions really only apply to the UK situation. I would be reticent to apply these conclusions to a wider context (not that I think that Trewavas did this).
I have a problem with the argument that as there are 10,000 more natural plant toxins in all foods, this far outweighs the traces of synthetic pesticide residues. It isn’t logical and I would prefer to seen some specific facts on known substances in my diet (natural or not) then statements like this.
As far as I am aware the UK is not even close to being food self-sufficient, so a lot of the logic of examining food production in the UK is lost one me.
X conventionally raised veg., may be fine in a UK context, but it is a bit of an unknown factor in regards to supply outwith the country. My preference would be more clarity in food production were ever it came from. This would also help eliminate the tendency to place blame production countries , as it the Mexican Salmonella case.
A lot of the positive land care and management in the UK are likely to be a direct result of the significant amount of produce imported into the UK. The countries suppling this food are unlikely to be as concerned about hedgerows and tree sparrow populations.
Rightly or wrongly, organic food is an important niche market, I’m not sure that I have a problem with UK farmers trying to tap into this, like any other market.
Finally, in terms of feeding the world, I’m not sure that this has much to do with farming practices at all. There are plentiful examples of bread-bowls turning into dust-bowls do to specific political circumstances. Even in relatively stable countries, it often seems that case that those that lack food don’t seem to lack food due to a deficiency in production.
Adam, There’s a huge amount to respond to here. I really appreciate all your comments and will try to do so over the next few days (or weeks). What I will probably do is pull up specific comments and post on them. But it will be bit by bit as I also want to keep up the history component. I’m sure you won’t mind that!
I’ve recently returned from a couple of weeks upcountry, conducting a training course on goat husbandry; 30 vet techs, paravets, etc, organized into 5 teams.
One of the topics I had the teams discuss and present in plenary had to do with disease processes _as locally defined_ together with meds / techniques _used locally_ in their treatment. This exercise gets folks talking outside of the box, that the only ‘good’ medicine is a ‘western / chemical’ medicine.
As generally is the case in conducting this exercise, all but a few of the treatments discussed were ‘organic’; i.e., no commercial products . Most folks are just too poor and isolated to be purchasing ‘modern’ meds and supplies. A few exceptions were restricted to relatively rich farmers who could afford to buy medications.
Same goes with farming [except for coffee and tea, which are commercial crops]: Mixed farmng, which combines crop- livestock- forestry/agroforestry in a variety of configurations both over space and through time, is the norm. Manure and soil enhancement is ALL organic [mainly goat manure] as well as mulch and composting, which is based on crop residues being collected at this time of the year [end of harvests].
Hence, both for livestock and crops, breeds, or specific lines within breeds that demonstrate enhanced ability to withstand key disease processes / climatic extremes offer farmers and herders the best chance for successful farming. Hardy landraces, both of indigenous livestock and crops, are key here in Burundi in developing such resistant and hardy strains [like Farid’s ‘scrawny cows’ in Algeria: skinny but they withstand heat and illness!].
This is a factor that appears not [well?] recognized by organic enthusiasts in the industralized world, where breeding for bigger and more tender [etc] has dominated over the past decades. Of course, these tender, plump chickens, high-milking goats and cattle, and huge aubergines [etc] generally require a lot more chemical input.
We have various ‘improved’ breeds of chicken, cattle, goats and some vegetables and fruits and grains here, introduced either by well-meaning agronomists / animal breeders or by commercial interests. They all require significantly MORE inputs [meds; feeds; fertilizers; water; etc] and so can only be successfully raised by those having both the knowledge and means.
Anyone in the UK [or elsewhere] wanting a ‘totally organic / non-chemical culinary experience’, for both crops and livestock, just come here to Burundi or other very poor countries where 99% of what you eat is organic. However, you may want to be armed with strong teeth, sharp knives, etc, to experience these hardier plants and animals.
I agree with Adam, that linking into a market nich can be an important aspect for UK organic faramers. Also, the issue of toxins that occur in plant species – a problem also with fodder; we’ve just lost 2 lovely bucklings who ate fresh cassava leaves before they were dried [ie, the toxins were not yet removed].
And I agree with you Rachel, in combining appropriate chemicals with organic farming and livestock-rearing strategies; that is surely what the majority of Burundian farmers would do, in order to address the terrible food shortages we have here, where over 95% of the population are farmers or herders, and where we are currently in a very serious hunger season.
oops; sorry, I did get taken away on this topic… But coincidently, I’ve just received an announcement from CABI of a new book; $140.00, but you can get 10% off if you order now!:
[See CABI’s home page, for a great bird / plant display:
http://www.cabi.org/home.asp ]
“Nutrition and feeding of Organic Poultry”, by R Blair, University of British Columbia, Canada
Main Description
Organic poultry production has increased significantly in recent years in response to increasing consumer demand for organic eggs and meat. Nutrition and Feeding of Organic Poultry is the first comprehensive text on feeding organic poultry; presenting advice on selecting suitable ingredients, preparing appropriate feed mixtures and intergrating them into organic poultry production systems.
The international standards of organic feeding, the species and breeds of poultry most suitable for organic farming, up-to-date information on the nutritional requirements of poultry, and examples of diets formulated to organic standards are all outlined.
Readership
The book will be of interest to organic producers and agencies and organizations serving them, as well as researchers, students, regulatory agencies, feed manufacturers, feed supply companies, agricultural advisory personnel and veterinarians.
Main Contents
1. Introduction and Background
2. Aims and Principles of Organic Poultry Production
3. Elements of Poultry Nutrition
4. Approved Ingredients for Organic Diets
5. Diets for Organic Poultry Production
6. Choosing the Right Species, Breed and Strain
7. Integrating Feeding Programs into Succesful Organic Production Systems
8. Conclusions and Recommedations for the Future
———-
Alternatively, folks could come here, and see how Burundi’s tough but hardy ‘road runners’ are organically raised…
“Finally, in terms of feeding the world, I’m not sure that this has much to do with farming practices at all. There are plentiful examples of bread-bowls turning into dust-bowls do to specific political circumstances. Even in relatively stable countries, it often seems that case that those that lack food don’t seem to lack food due to a deficiency in production.”
Farming doesn’t happen in a political and economic vacuum. There’s no one kind of farming model that suits a range of contexts.
I just got off the phone with a scientist who told me about the plight of small farmers in Africa. Similar story to the ones told by small farmers in developing countries allover the world.
They don’t have enough seeds, little or no money to buy more seeds, can’t control local markets, inadequate storage, unstable distribution network, little or no control over market prices, lack of timely access to information about price fluctuations, land ownership issues, degraded land, they need micro-loans (not usury), political instability or political indifference, and the list goes on and on.
What about agricultural research in country? Well, some of these academic or national organizations are out of touch with the plight of small farmers, they don’t help, they’re not interested, they exist to serve themselves or serve theoretical research.
Small farmers in X African country start growing X crop with the belief that there is a market for it. Government buys X subsidized produce from X industrialized country that they have a trade agreement with. The small farmers can’t compete with the cheaper prices of imported produce plus all the problems they have above. Similar market and price problems happen with big food aid.
How can we help these small farmers? They need seeds (not a business scheme that traps them into buying more seeds with money they don’t have). They need access to information. They need education on land and resource management. They need local economic development. They need a local distribution network. They need a range of inputs (organic and chemical). They need technology. Even a little bit of mechanization can help tremendously. They need an agronomic engineer on site to assist with technology transfer and adaptation.
Big government in bed with big business rarely helps small farmers. I’m tempted to say never, but I’ll resist. I’m also tempted to say that this mighty duo is often the source of worsening conditions for small farmers, but I’ll resist that too.
I’ve been reading more in depth criticisms of industrial farming. Quite a bit of what I’m seeing is criticism of corporatism veiled under currently hot and trendy topics- food and sustainability.
An unfortunate by product of this is a wholesale equating of corporatism with industry and technology and a simple minded embrace of bucolic peasant life. Without the veil of organic food and nostalgia I suspect that some of these brilliant thinkers would be dismissed as commie pinkos bent on redistributing wealth and resources.
Back to the conversation I had with the scientist about small farmers in Africa. For this particular country he thinks small farmers would do better to create product for export. Local markets aren’t developed enough, national government isn’t interested in acting in the interest of small farmers or they’re bowing to pressure to sign X agreement, etc.. foreign markets can have more stability at the end market.
Neither one of us wants an export situation where small farmers are being paid pennies to the pound for raw materials, with a chain of processors and distributors who are also paid pennies to the pound until it gets in the hands of corporate food giant who processes and packages it to the end user for $$$$ to the pound (or ounce). So maybe boutique, heirloom products and a cooperative model are the way to go here. At times some aspects of Slow Food marketing tactics sound pretty good. Now, if they could just stop with the selective luddism I’ll get off their case.
No, these small farmers can’t reach the economies of scale to feed their country, the continent or the world. They need to feed their families and make some money for a decent life for their families. Maybe if they have enough money to send their children to school they can escape the trap of poverty that’s so easily passed on to the next generation. Maybe their kids can study branding and marketing and bring terroir to Africa!
Without money, skills, education or access they have nowhere to go. They are enslaved. They have little or no power. They can just as easily be left out of the benefits of green revolutions and industrial revolutions or worse exploited further in the name of them. Their plights can be made worse by nostalgia embracing do-gooders who refuse to recognize beneficial technology and science because of misplaced fears of corporatism and ownership. They can be exploited by activists seeking a political cause for a platform.
JUst to say, that apart from my follow up post, I love the chicken book. They can come here for a few organic turkeys as well. And for acacia-cactus fed beef!