Conventional and organic farming differ in many ways as both systems of farming offer distinct agricultural approaches and produce different outcomes and impacts. Conventional farming which is popularly referred to as an input-dominated system differs from an organic system as the latter is known for its complete prohibition of chemicals or heavy input. It is believed that the organic system of farming is vital to increased food production and environmental sustainability but understanding the variation between its potential and that of conventional farming could help policymakers, farms and consumers reach an informed agricultural decision.
Conventional farming is an open system of farming whose main focus is often on the cultivation and production of grain and vegetable crops. It is highly associated with high input costs and heavy reliance on cultivating chemicals. It promotes a limited crop rotational system and drives high crop yield.
On the other hand, an organic system of farming employs large organic matter in its crop cultivation and food production. The practice often ignores the use of chemical inputs and believes that its employment would not only impact the environment negatively but also reduce sustainable farming. It depends largely on crop rotation and biological mobilisation of nutrients for plants and animals.
Conventional farming heavily relies on the use of synthetic chemicals for its practices such as fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and feed additives for crop cultivation and animal rearing. The chemical input is believed to help control weeds, and pests and as well aid crop yields. However, organic farming depends heavily on natural inputs like animal manure and off-farm natural wastes for crop cultivation. Through the adoption of natural means of farming, the environment, ecosystem and people could be sustained.
One major challenge associated with agriculture systems is producing a quantifiable number of crops and feeds with little or no hindrance. Conventional farming tends to produce higher levels of yield for crops and animal production when compared with organic farming. Although organic farming is considered more sustainable with crop yield, but it offers lesser productivity than conventional farming. Conventional farming through the utilisation of chemical inputs is believed to possess the ability to generate higher crop yield per hectare of land cultivated than organic farming which often employs the rotational system of farming.
It is believed that conventional farming possesses the ability to produce an average yield amount of 25% more than organic farming which can account for up to 44% production gap during periodic harvest.
Good Soil health holds an important place in agricultural productivity, crop quality, and environmental resilience. With plant-based and animal-based organic fertilisers, organic farming enhances soil health and other soil health-related properties like carbon, water retention, and microorganisms. Due to the high input of chemical fertilisers by conventional farming, it is considered to have high physical and biological soil degrading attributes. With the adoption of conventional farming, a quantifiable amount of soil carbon, soil biodiversity, and soil nutrients are considered lost and difficult to revive.
Conventional and organic farming impact the environment differently, with the use of agricultural chemicals by conventional farmers, the environment is more impacted as the former increases greenhouse gas emission, water pollution, land erosion and significant damage to human health. However, with organic farming, reduction in carbon emission is attained, soil health is improved, and the ecosystem is naturally revitalised for clean water and air. The adoption of organic farming reduces the impact of agricultural activities on the environment and its inhabitants as a quantifiable amount of farm products are produced through natural means of cultivation.
One key improvement associated with organic farming is sustainable agriculture as it brings about major ways through which climate changes and world hunger can be reduced. Organic farming promotes environmental sustainability and helps in the preservation of distinct agricultural practices and cultures as practices are carried out, bearing in mind its positive and negative impacts. With organic farming, sustainable agriculture is achieved, and the basic needs of humans are met in a healthier manner.
Organic farming advocates natural means for pest control and prevention, ecological processes, biodiversity and crop production, thus reducing the application of chemicals in its processes and practices. Through its adoption, the presences of synthetic chemicals are nearly eliminated from agricultural produce, human life and wildlife.
Organic farming plays a defensive role in environmental conservation as it possesses the ability to protect environmental-related properties including the soil which is one of the most important components of agricultural-related activities. The organic farming system helps to improve soil health and stability by sustaining biodiversity. Through improved soil, physical-biological properties like biomass, enzyme, water percolation, pH and clay, organic farming not only enhances soil health but also aids soil restoration and prevents further degradation.
Conventional and organic farming are agricultural production systems that vary in their respective approaches. The latter offers a system that promotes chemical-free inputs, soil protection and preservation, sustainability and the well-being of animals and plants, while the former offers a system that is chemically dominated and industrially related. Its main focuses are often on efficiency and high yields with lesser concerns for environmental impacts. Organic farming produces lesser yields but considers the impact of its associated activity on the environment, soil and humans.
Article written by: Frank Aisagbon
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