An article written by Noragric’s Associate Professor Jens B. Aune in the Norwegian newspaper ‘VG’ (19 November) questions the environmental merits of organic agriculture. A fundamental problem in organic agriculture is that the yields are 25-50% lower compared to conventional agriculture. This means that more land needs to be cultivated if organic agriculture is to expand.
Photo: Evy Jørgensen
Cultivation of new land will lead to more deforestation, emission of greenhouse gases, loss of biodiversity and increased soil erosion. However, neither organic nor conventional agriculture can be considered as environmentally friendly options for agriculture development.
Development of integrated farming systems characterised by zero tillage/reduced tillage, mulching, integrated plant nutrient management using both organic and mineral fertiliser and improved crop rotations, is a better approach for development of more productive and environmentally friendly agriculture. Such an integrated system has less emission of greenhouse gases and less release of nitrogen to the environment per kg produced than both conventional and organic agriculture.
Agriculture in the future will need to be built on sound ecological principles, but not on the dogmas of organic agriculture.
