The Capacities of Organic Farming

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The Capacities of Organic Farming It is necessary for the purpose of this assignment to start by defining what is meant by "Organic Farming". It can simply be defined as "farming without chemicals" which is very much the case. The two articles provide arguments of whether organic farming is sufficient to provide sustainable source of food for the increasing population. Two different points of view are expressed in the articles. "Organic farming is all very well, but can it feed the world?" In his article Lawrence Woodward main argument was the ability of organic farming to feed the world provided that many factors should be considered and probably changed. Factors that has nothing to do with the technical aspect of organic farming, but more to do with the recent global system of handling the agricultural economy, e.g. food distribution system, marketing, finance and even political aspects that affect this matter. He sees that with the current circumstances of industrialization and population largely consuming the limited resources including land being used for trade production, neither organic nor conventional agricultural systems can feed the world. In his opinion, we can feed the world if we: - Write off the third world depts. - Stop subsidizing crops (e.g. tobacco). - Create favorable fiscal environment. - Provide access to land. - Develop global strategy for soil and water conservation. - Change growth that drives global economy. *2 Woodward presented some valid data in his article, based on universities studies such as the Study done by Iowa State University which concluded that the dom... ... middle of paper ... ...rming is a sustainable method for feeding the world, because it is safe, healthy, less soil erosion, better for environment and cheaper than the organic farming. All what it needs to receive acceptance is more positive public strategy on behalf of knowledge based farming. In my personal point of view, I prefer the Organic farming, and I don't mind paying a little extra for my food in order to ensure that I am eating safe and clean food. We can not deny though the importance of technology, and we can use it to obtain and find better techniques to apply the method of organic farming successfully and get the most of it. *1) Schumacher, E.F. (1975). Small is Beautiful. Blond and Bridges Ltd. London. *2) T172, Theme 3 Food chains. "Organic Farming is all very well, but can it feed the world. Lawrence Woodward.

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