Is Organic Farming the future?
According to Andrew Dunham an Organic farmer in the US – “Organic is much more mainstream now. More and more people seek it out. Demand just keeps going up and up – rising by double digits annually.”
Consumers are becoming more aware of their food consumption, the pesticides, GM crops and antibiotics, among other stringent requirements.
The industry’s growth isn’t expected to subside anytime soon, according to the Organic Trade Association. They predict sales will increase 12-15 percent annually for the next three years.
The biggest thing holding back faster growth isn’t demand, its shortages.
Farmers interested in Organic Farming stare at the challenges. Organic certification is exclusive and expensive. The transition period can be costly for producers, who must deal with lower yields and high input costs but aren’t able to take advantages of the premium that organic producers receive. Having to deal with this for 36 months in transition is not something producers are keen on. Organic produce sells at between 10 and 50% premium over conventional produce. However, depending on farming methods, profitability doesn’t necessarily increase with the same increment. Farming organically on an industrial scale is challenging. Organic methods to control insects and disease are much more effective on a small scale than on the industrial level, which can become a real headache for producers.
I believe the writing is on the wall when it comes to farming in cooperation with nature. Food produced without chemicals is better for the environment and our health.
Organic growing is proven to be sustainable over long periods of time. With a good organic plan you will not only yield a good harvest, but improve the land’s productivity for the next crop.
Organic farming is progressing, and by the looks of it demand will keep on escalating, and I hope more farmers will consider the organic route. Its best for us and best for the environment.