Wollo University College of agriculture

Department of plant science

MSc. in Horticulture

Advanced soil and plant nutrition

(HORT 505)

Review on benefits of organic farming in agriculture

By

Adem Endris

ID NO: SGSR /0011/13

Submitted to: Adem (Phd)

January 20; 2020

Dessie; Ethiopia

1
Acknowledgment
First thanks for my almighty God and I would like to appreciation my teacher Dr. Adem to
follow up his students, a nice teaching method, valuable comments, advices and preparation for
term paper writing up. Also thanks to Wollo University that provided me internet access and
library for this paper preparation.

i
 List of abbreviations

EU European Union
US united States

ii
Contents
Acknowledgment..........................................................................................................................................i
List of abbrevations.....................................................................................................................................ii
1. Organic farming in agriculture............................................................................................................1
1.1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................1
2. Benefits of organic farming.....................................................................................................................1
2.1. Nutritional importance......................................................................................................................1
2.2. Environmental benefit......................................................................................................................2
2.3. Conserve biodiversity and wild life..................................................................................................2
2.4. Soil and water conservation..............................................................................................................3
2.5. Health benefits..................................................................................................................................3
2.6. Climatic adaptability of crops...........................................................................................................4
2.7. Economic benefits............................................................................................................................4
Summary.....................................................................................................................................................6
Bibliography................................................................................................................................................7

iii
 1. Organic farming in agriculture
1.1. Introduction
Organic agriculture is “an ecological production and productivity management system that
promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and of interdependent soil biological
activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on communities of management
practices that restore, maintain, or enhance ecological harmony. The soil life, plants, primary
goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of animals, and people,
interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals, and people. In addition also this farming
system avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators, and livestock feed
additives.
Organic farming is getting importance when people are polluting the soil and environment with
harmful chemicals and pesticides. Organic farming provides the option of enriching the soil with
organic compost and preventing soil from chemicals. Soil is origin for many food crops, hence
the food we get from organic soils are good for health as well. Organic farming helps in
sustainable rural environment, sound health of soil and creating ecological balance (Buragohain,
2020).
Organic food produced by methods that comply with the standards of organic farming. Organic
farming features practices that cycle resources, promote ecological balance and conserve bio-
diversity. Organization regulating organic products may restrict the use of certain pesticide and
fertilizers in farming methods used to produce such products. Organic food typically is not
processed using irradiation, industrial solvents or synthetic food additives. Demand for organic
food is primarily driven by consumer concern for personal health and environment. From the
perspectives of science and consumers there is insufficient evidence in the scientific and medical
literature to support claim that organic food is either safer or healthier to eat than conventional
food.

2. Benefits of organic farming

2.1. Nutritional importance

Organic food tastes delicious and it makes sense why it does healthy soil and plants make food
that tastes the best. In a number of studies people who have done taste tests almost always

1
choose the wonderful taste of organic food over processed and food tainted by chemicals. Fruits
and vegetables tastes much more vibrant and strong if hey grown organically which is just
another added benefit of the healthy powers of healthy organic foods.

2.2. Environmental benefit

As (Das et al., 2020) showed, The reduction of inputs by reuse, recycle and the efficient
management of materials and energy will contribute to improve environmental quality and will
conserve resources. Organic farming generates more jobs, produces more profits, and doesn’t
pollute ground water with nitrogen run- off. Because organic farmers do not use the harmful
chemicals within their farming, they are not polluting the ground and the water supply. This also
supports the soil conservation efforts. Because there are no chemicals used in the production of
organic foods, there is no potential for harmful chemical runoff and damaging chemicals to
impact our water supply. This is healthier for everyone because while our drinking water is
generally pasteurized before it goes into the water supply, it does not catch everything, and some
of that water is put back into the atmosphere and then rained back down on us. Eliminating the
prevalence of these chemicals will make our entire environment even healthier.

Organic farming practices reduce pollution conserve water, reduce soil erosion, increase soil
fertility, and use less energy. Farming without pesticides is also better for nearby organisms and
small animals as well as humans who live close to or work on farms. Reduced emissions of
ammonia, carbon dioxide and methane; reduced levels of controlled waste; increased energy
efficiency; improved animal welfare; and enhanced water efficiency and improvements to water
quality.(Little & Frost, 2008)

2.3. Conserve biodiversity and wild life

Organic farms also focus on the entire ecosystem with regards to their farming activities and they
understand that we are not the only ones on this planet benefitting from what the ground
provides. Organic farmers understand that animals and insects are a normal part of farming. They
use specific crops in their farms to serve the needs of wildlife, and they also manage wetlands,
ponds, and other animal preserves within their farming activities.
It also helps preserve local wild life. By avoiding toxic chemicals, using of mixed planting as a
natural pest control measure and maintaining field margins and hedges, organic farming provides

2
a retreat to local wild life rather than taking it away its natural habitat like conventional
agriculture.
Avoidance of chemicals and use of alternative, all natural farming methods has been show to
help conserve biodiversity as it encourages a natural balance within the ecosystem and helps
prevent domination of particular Species over the others. Pesticides do not only kills pests but
beneficial mammals and birds. Many wild and cultivated plant and animal species were wiped
out and landscapes became dull.

2.4. Soil and water conservation

Soil and water contamination since organic production strictly avoids the use of all synthetic
chemicals; it does not pose any risk of soil and underground water contamination like
conventional farming which uses tons of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. Pesticides and
fertilizers penetrate deep in to the soil reaching the underwater which is the main source of
drinking water in many parts of the world.
Organic farmers build healthy soils by nourishing the living component of the soil, the microbial
inhabitants that release, transform, and transfer nutrients. Soil organic matter contributes to good
soil structure and water-holding capacity .Organic farmers feed soil biota and build soil organic
matter with cover crops, compost, and biologically based soil amendments. These produce
healthy plants that are better able to resist disease and insect predation

2.5. Health benefits

Organic agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soils, plants, animals, humans and
ecosystems in a way that takes into account the entirety and interrelationships of these systems; it
is a holistic approach to farming. The health of individuals and communities cannot be separated
from the health of ecosystems. Healthy soils produce healthy crops that foster the health of
animals and people. Immunity, resilience and regeneration are key characteristics of health and
thus of organic systems. Organic agriculture is intended to produce high-quality, nutritious food
that contributes to preventive healthcare and well-being.
Farmers in Canada, Kansas and Nebraska who use the pesticide 2, 4-D suffer a higher rate of
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a cancer).The same applies to dogs which play on lawns that have
been sprayed. In Sweden, exposure to phenoxy herbicides has been shown to increase the risk of

3
contracting lymphomas six-fold. In US, the death rates from myeloma a cancer are highest in
rural farming areas. And so it goes on. Migrant farm workers suffer an abnormally high rate of
Multiple myeloma, stomach, prostate and testicular cancer. There is a strong association between
breast cancer and exposure to chemical pesticides. Altrazine, a common ingredient in pesticides,
causes breast cancer in rat, chromosomal breakdown in the ovaries of hamsters 20, and hind limb
deformities in frogs. This is due to applying conventional farming rather than practicing organic
agriculture which does not use synthetic agricultural imputes.

As (Mie et al., 2017) stated, organic food consumption may reduce the risk of allergic disease
and of overweight and obesity, but residual confounding is likely, as consumers of organic food
tend to have healthier lifestyles overall. Animal experiments suggest that growth and
development is affected by the feed type when comparing identically composed feed from
organic or conventional production. In organic agriculture, the use of pesticides is restricted, and
residues in conventional fruits and vegetables constitute the main source of human exposures

2.6. Climatic adaptability of crops

Organic farming produces higher yields in drought conditions. In a review of comparative
studies of grain and soybean production in the US Midwest, organic growers produced higher
yields in drier climates and during droughts and similar yields in regular conditions. Organic
matter makes the soil less compact and moisture retentive, allowing the roots to penetrate more
deeply to find water.(Gopalakrishnan, 2019)

2.7. Economic benefits

Organic farming is important to generate 30% more employment in rural areas and labor
achieves higher returns per unit of labor input. By using local resources better, organic
agriculture facilitates smallholders’ access to markets and thus income generation; and relocalize
food production in market-marginalized areas(Das et al., 2020).

The market for organic agriculture products is growing and profitable. Since 1990, the market for
organic products has grown at a rapid pace, with sales of organic food and drink reaching US$
46 billion in 2007. The market for organic agriculture has experienced annual growth rates from

4
10 to 20 per cent, amounting, on average, to a growth of US$ 5 billion a year One of the most
important benefits provided by certified organic products is related to the ability of producers to
access lucrative local and international markets. Organic products are mostly destined for the
United States and the EU, with 95 per cent of all organic products sold to these markets.
Organics constitute between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent of total food sales in North America and the
EU, and up to 5 per cent in Denmark and Switzerland .Integrating farmers into the supply chains
(networks of production, export and purchasing) facilitates access to these markets and can
increase profits, enhance predictability (ensuring buyers for agricultural products) and generate
higher incomes.

Organic products are sold at a high price premium, because consumers increasingly want to
know that their purchases are produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner,
they are willing to pay more for products that assure these conditions are met.

The organic agriculture has a greater scope of minimizing all forms of pollutants and brings
sustainability. This practice gives a very low adverse effect in the economy; it also helps in
conservation of biodiversity. The exposure of toxic material to human, animals and the
environment can be reduced. Sustainable agriculture can contribute significantly to rural vitality
by increasing the number of farms follow such practices; double the income of the family as
comparing with conventional practices. It is very cost effective and bring premium return on
organic products (Buragohain, 2020).

5
Summary

Organic farming is the production of crops without the application of any artificial agricultural
imputes. This farming system plays great role in sustaining agriculture by balancing the natural
ecosystem of the world. It also provides fresh organic foods for the people which are very
important for health. Soil conservation and maintenance of soil fertility, less pollution of water
(groundwater, rivers, lakes), protection of wildlife (birds, frogs, insects etc.), higher biodiversity,
more diverse landscape, better treatment of farm animals less utilization of non-renewable
external inputs and energy, less pesticide residues in food, no hormones and antibiotics in animal
products, better product quality (taste, storage properties) are some of the benefits of organic
farming in agriculture.

6
Bibliography
Buragohain, U. (2020). Importance of Organic Farming in Economy with Special Reference to
Sikkim. 5, 3635–3638. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijrte.D9710.018520

Das, S., Chatterjee, A., & Pal, T. K. (2020). Organic farming in India : a vision towards a
healthy nation. June, 69–76. https://doi.org/10.1093/fqsafe/fyaa018

Gopalakrishnan, R. (2019). Advantages and Nutritional Value of Organic Food on Human

Health.

Little, T., & Frost, D. (2008). Organic fruit and vegetable production. May.

Mie, A., Andersen, H. R., Gunnarsson, S., Kahl, J., Kesse-guyot, E., Rembia, E., Quaglio, G., &
Grandjean, P. (2017). Human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture :
a comprehensive review. 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-017-0315-4