(NaturalPath) Researchers from Washington State University reviewed hundreds of studies and found that there is evidence that organic farming can feed the world with sustainability goals in mind. They say that it can produce sufficient yields, be profitable for farmers, protect and improve the environment and be safer for farm workers. The review study was published in the journal Nature Plants.
The researchers looked at data from 40 years of science. They compared organic and conventional agriculture, looking at productivity, economics, environment and community well-being. There have been increasingly more studies comparing organic and conventional agriculture practices.
One critic of organic farming has been its potential inefficiency. These concerns may be in the past.
“In severe drought conditions, which are expected to increase with climate change, organic farms have the potential to produce high yields because of the higher water-holding capacity of organically farmed soils,” one researcher said.
The researchers suggest that a hybrid of farming systems need to be utilized. These include, “A blend of organic and other innovative farming systems, including agroforestry, integrated farming, conservation agriculture, mixed crop/livestock and still undiscovered systems.”
For more information, read the full study.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160203085855.htm
http://www.nature.com/articles/nplants2015221
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.
