Organic farming

About: Organic farming is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 7254 publications have been published within this topic receiving 138030 citations. The topic is also known as: pertanian organik & organic farming.

A comparison of the economic and environmental performances of conventional and organic farming: evidence from financial statements

Abstract: While conventional farming systems face serious problems of sustainability, organic agriculture is seen as a more environmentally friendly system as it favours renewable resources, recycles nutrients, uses the environment's own systems for controlling pests and diseases, sustains ecosystems, protects soils, and reduces pollution. At the same time organic farming promotes animal welfare, the use of natural foodstuffs, product diversity and the avoidance of waste, among other practices. However, the future of organic agriculture will depend on its economic viability and on the determination shown by governments to protect these practices. This paper performs panel regressions with a sample of Catalan farms (Spain) to test the influence of organic farming on farm output, costs and incomes. It analyses the cost structures of both types of farming and comments on their social and environmental performance.

Local and landscape factors in differently managed arable fields affect the insect herbivore community of a non-crop plant species

Abstract: Summary 1 The expansion of simplified ecosystems such as intensively managed annual crops plays a big part in driving the global biodiversity crisis. Field-scale diversification, for example leaving weeds to grow in crops, is one way in which diversity in agro-ecosystems can be restored. However, little is known about the determinants of the non-crop plant-based insect communities within arable fields at local and larger spatial scales, an essential component in extrapolating plant diversity benefits to higher trophic levels. 2 We investigated how diversification of agro-ecosystems at the field and landscape levels affects the insect community of the creeping thistle Cirsium arvense. Artificial plots of the host-plant were established in three regions of Germany in 48 paired organic (diverse, weeds not controlled with herbicides) and conventional (simplified, very low weed density and species richness) wheat fields across a gradient of landscape heterogeneity, from simple arable-dominated to heterogeneous, diverse landscapes. 3 Leaf-feeding herbivores were monitored directly, while stem-boring herbivores and their parasitoids were quantified by dissecting the stems of the thistles. Land-use types and naturally occurring thistle stands were mapped within a radius of 1 km around each thistle plot. 4 Herbivore species richness was enhanced by both organic farming and landscape heterogeneity but not by higher densities of thistles in the landscape. For most of the species, host-plant plots in organic fields were more likely to be colonized than those in the conventional fields. The enhancement of diversity in organic fields is probably the result of a slightly higher natural cover of the host-plant Cirsium arvense. 5 Synthesis and applications. Both diversification of landscape (fewer arable crops, more perennial habitats) and extensification through organic management are effective measures of enhancing arthropod diversity on weeds. The impact of field-scale agri-environment schemes on biodiversity should be supplemented by including landscape-scale diversification programmes to include a minimum level of perennial habitat cover. Biodiversity benefits of organic agriculture rely for a large part on non-crop plants. Weed populations should be allowed to coexist with the crop to maintain these benefits, which are threatened by more intensive ‘organic’ management, such as heavy mechanical weed control.

Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in organic and conventional farming systems in the Netherlands

Abstract: Organic agriculture is often considered to contribute to reducing energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, also on a per unit product basis. For energy, this is supported by a large number of studies, but the body of evidence for GHGs is smaller. Dutch agriculture is characterized by relatively intensive land use in both organic and conventional farming, which may affect their performance in terms of energy use and GHG emissions. This paper presents results of a model study on energy use and GHG emissions in Dutch organic and conventional farming systems. Energy use per unit milk in organic dairy is approximately 25% lower than in conventional dairy, while GHG emissions are 5-10% lower. Contrary to dairy farming, energy use and GHG emissions in organic crop production are higher than in conventional crop production. Energy use in organic arable farming is 10-30% and in organic vegetable farming 40-50% higher than in their respective conventional counterparts. GHG emissions in organic arable and vegetable farming are 0-15% and 35-40% higher, respectively. Our results correspond with other studies for dairy farming, but not for crop production. The most likely cause for higher energy use and GHG emissions in Dutch organic crop production is its high intensity level, which is expressed in crop rotations with a large share of high-value crops, relatively high fertiliser inputs and frequent field operations related to weeding.

The Agronomic and Economic Potential of Break Crops for Ley/Arable Rotations in Temperate Organic Agriculture

Abstract: Organic farming principles dictate that cereals cannot be grown continuously, and in practice they are rarely grown for more than 50% of the rotation. Choice of break crops to grow in addition to cereals and the fertility building phase are crucial to both the agronomic and economic success of the rotation on organic arable farms. There are four specific functions that a break crop may perform, namely, addition, conservation, and cycling of nutrients; pest and/or disease control; weed control and improvement in soil physical characteristics. Individual break crops may perform one or several of these functions. A good break crop must also produce satisfactory yields, be of marketable quality, and produce an economic return for the farmer. This review assesses the potential of 10 break crops (bean, lupin, soybean, hemp, oilseed rape, potato, carrot, swede, sugar beet, linola) in terms of their break function, their impact on the subsequent crop in temperate organic agricultural systems, and their economic value in UK agriculture. All species assessed had valuable break crop characteristics. Hemp, lupin, and faba bean had the greatest economic potential, but hemp and lupin currently generate poor economic returns. Linola and soybean are useful break crops, although soybean may have allelopathic effects on subsequent wheat seedlings. Swede, potato, and carrot are the most profitable crops, but are less valuable in the rotation in terms of soil fertility than hemp, bean, or lupin. Sugar beet and oilseed rape are difficult to grow organically and at present have limited organic markets.