Why Organic Agricultural Systems Are an Economic Model Worth Promoting
Modern organic agriculture is a combination of traditional agriculture with innovative thinking and advanced technology. This new type of agriculture, based on innovation and science, offers new methods for cultivating soil nutrients, controlling pests, diseases and weeds, and increasing yields. An organic agriculture system built on a scientific foundation supplies plants with basic nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which can ensure yields, through the use of green manures, composts, natural minerals and many other resources that are far more economical than chemical fertilizers.
1. Organic agriculture has stronger adaptability to poor growing conditions. According to the Fourth Assessment Report released by the UNFCCC IPCC (IPCC 2007) and other materials, the Earth today is being challenged by ever-increasing extreme weather conditions such as droughts and heavy rains. Even if greenhouse gases ceased to cause new pollution to the Earth tomorrow, we would still need hundreds of years to reverse the damage caused by greenhouse gases. Published research data show that, in the face of extreme weather conditions that may occur in the future, organic agriculture systems have stronger adaptability than conventional agriculture systems, and their yields will also be higher than those of conventional agriculture.
2. Organic agriculture can improve water use efficiency. Research shows that, because of good soil structure and high levels of humus and other organic matter in the soil, organic agriculture systems use water more efficiently than conventional agriculture. A 10-year study by the Rodale Institute in the United States, the world's first organic agriculture research institution, founded in the 1940s, showed that plots fertilized with organic manure and planted with green manure markedly improved their soil water-holding capacity, infiltration rate and water retention capacity.
3. The Ecological Function Intensification method can enhance biodiversity within the system. Ecological Function Intensification (EFI) uses functional diversity to optimize the services of the ecosystem. In such organic production systems, ecological processes are used rather than intensified chemical measures. Ecological Function Intensification applies the science of agroecology to actively advance the diversity of agroecosystems, thereby providing ecosystem services. As time goes on, the advantages of organic agricultural production systems will be reflected not only in economic terms, but also in labor savings.
4. Increase the crop yields of traditional smallholder farmers. Research on good organic agricultural production systems shows that traditional smallholder production systems are systems with relatively high crop yields. Because the vast majority of farmers in the world are smallholders, the above information is particularly important. Enabling smallholders to adopt the following well-founded, science-based organic farming practices within traditional farming methods can significantly increase their crop yields: 1. Improve soil nutrients through the recycling of organic matter (carbon) and an appropriate mineral balance. 2. Adopt advanced pest and disease control measures. 3. Improve water use efficiency by increasing soil organic matter (SOM) content. 4. Adopt advanced weed control methods. 5. Adopt Ecological Function Intensification to enhance biodiversity within the system.
In short, an organic agriculture system built on a scientific foundation is a suitable and worthwhile economic model to promote.