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Book (stand-alone)Comparative Analysis of Organic and Non-Organic Farming Systems: A Critical Assessment of Farm Profitability 2009
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No results found.Organic agriculture has triggered a controversial debate in the last decades, most importantly because it shed light on the darker sides of chemical-intensive conventional farming by offering an alternative. By now, there is a strong body of evidence showing that organic farming is more environmentally friendly: potential benefits from organic production arise from improved soil fertility, organic matter content and biological activity; better soil structure and reduced susceptibility to erosion; reduced pollution from nutrient leaching and pesticides; and improved plant and animal biodiversity (Kasperczyk and Knickel, 2006). As more and more attention has been put on determining whether organic systems are environmentally better or not, it is not clear whether organic agriculture could be economically attractive enough to trigger wide spread adoption. If organic farming offered a better environmental quality, and potentially healthier foods, but not sufficient econ omic returns to the majority of farmers, it would obviously remain a luxury way of food production available to a very tiny fraction of farmers. However, the continued growth of organically managed lands worldwide, especially in developing countries, does not support this hypothesis. The number of studies devoted to the question of how profitable organic agriculture is when compared to non-organic management is over hundred; however long-term studies analyzing the development of prof its in comparative studies are much less numerous. Regrettably, the geographical distribution of these studies is very much biased towards developed countries (mainly U.S.A) and certain cash crops (e.g. corn, soy, wheat). Still, a general trend can be identified when considering economic comparisons made in the last three decades. The aim of this paper is to analyze existing literature on the economic performance of organic versus conventional (defined as non-organic) farms, to determi ne the critical factors for success in the evaluation of organic agriculture in different socio-political settings, and to offer some critical insights into how comparative studies differ. Only studies using data from certified organic farms have been considered, covering a minimum of three years (for developed countries) after conversion and undertaken after 1980 (see Appendix). Due to the lack of availability of long-term economic studies in developing countries, the minimum length r equirement was not taken rigidly and studies covering one and two years have also been included from these countries. Studies evaluating yields and certain production costs, but not analyzing profits were not considered. Although an effort was made to compile as many available economic studies as possible, the list in the Appendix is not exhaustive. -
ProjectSupport for Development of Organic Farming Systems & Agro-Ecotourism for Small Farmers Communities in the Southern Mekong River Provinces - TCP/VIE/3703 2023
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No results found.There is a global concern over environmental and ecological degradation and the associated health and environmental hazards arising out of agricultural production systems that are heavily dependent on chemicals Organic agriculture ( is a holistic production management system that promotes and enhances agroecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and biological soil activity by using agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to synthetic materials, to fulfil any specific function within the system. -
ProjectSupport for Development of Organic Rice Farming System in West Kalimantan - TCP/INS/3702 2021
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No results found.Indonesia is currently implementing a national programme entitled Seribu Desa Organik (a thousand organic villages) for rice, horticulture and several estate crops, with the programme on organic rice being conducted by DGFC, MoA As the focal institute, DGFC requested FAO support for the development of organic rice production in the border area of Indonesia and Malaysia in West Kalimantan province Although organic agriculture is familiar to farmers and government bodies in the province, its commercialization is relatively new Current challenges to the implementation of the national programme include the limited capacity of farmers and extension agents, a lack of certification, and inadequate post harvest and marketing facilities Most farmers, farmers’ groups and extension agents lack the technical capacity required for successful organic farming The production inputs approved for organic production are limited and the country has only one certified organic rice institution With regard to post harvest and marketing facilities, no certified organic rice processing and handling facilities or organic trade/market for organic products exist at provincial level Project interventions would focus on improving the efficiency of production and on initiating market demand to establish self sustaining organic rice value chains Where applicable, gender sensitive cultivation practices and tools to reduce gender segregated work and different pay arrangements would be explored, as well as leadership opportunities for women.
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