Conventional vs organic agriculture: Cornelia Harris, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
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Transcript of Conventional vs organic agriculture: Cornelia Harris, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
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AgricultureWhat are some concerns about
conventional agriculture?
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Goals:
• To understand some of the major concerns with conventional agriculture, and why conventional agriculture began and prospered
• To explore how growing corn and raising meat affect ecosystems, and how to combat some of these concerns through agroecology practices
• To consider our future options for growing food for a planet of 9+ billion
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Major Concerns with Conventional Agriculture (an incomplete list…)
• Water pollution – animal waste, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers
• Water use - dams, irrigation canals, groundwater• Land use changes – habitat loss, erosion, wetland loss,
desertification• Animals – animal welfare, waste, medication overuse,
feed requirements, introduction of invasive species• Genetic modification & ownership of plant genomes• Energy use & greenhouse gases• Human health
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What is conventional agriculture?
• Large farms• Lots of inputs: $,
fertilizer, energy, water, pesticides
• Monocultures
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What is organic agriculture?• A farm using methods that avoid most synthetic
materials (pesticides and antibiotics)• There ARE large, industrial-scale organic operations• Many small-medium sized farmers cannot afford the
organic label
vs
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What is agro-ecology?
The application of ecology to the design and management of sustainable agro-ecosystems
Agro-ecology is a whole-systems approach to agriculture and food systems development – it incorporates– Traditional knowledge– Local food systems experience– Sustainable agriculture practices
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Green Revolution
1. Plant monocultures of new hybrids (disease resistant and higher yielding)
2. Produce high yields by using chemical inputs & water
3. Mechanize irrigation, planting, harvesting
Started in 1950s with development of fertilizers and wide-spread availability of pesticides and farm equipment
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Africa: the Green Revolution’s next iteration
Agricultural companies are buying up or leasing large tracts of land in Africa to grow soy, corn, and other export crops, often displacing small farmers.
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Let’s look at one problem…nitrogen from fertilizers and animal waste
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Source: Compiled from Landsat Thematic Mapper satellite imagery, Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources.
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Nitrogen…so what?• Plants and animals
need nitrogen• But…there can be too
much of a good thing!• Too much nitrogen
results in: eutrophication of aquatic systems …which leads to…
There is both cultural (human) and natural eutrophication
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• 1960s = 40 global dead zones• Today = more than 400
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Why care about nitrogen?
We should care because it causes…• Water pollution (eutrophication, dead zones)• Acidic precipitation (rain, snow, fog)• Climate change (nitrous oxide)• Air pollution (nitric oxide=smog)
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Agroecology solution: legumes!
Bacteria in the root nodules of legumes naturally fix inorganic atmospheric nitrogen , providing nutrients to the plant while receiving sugars in return
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Many other chemicals are used (that we aren’t talking about today)!
• Pesticides/herbicides such as atrazine and neonicotinoids
• Genetically engineered crops and pesticides – “Roundup Ready”
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Agroecology solution: Integrated Pest Management
– Disrupting Reproduction• Female Sex Pheromones• Male Sterilization
– Natural Predators
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Nitrogen also comes from animal waste…
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CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations)
In the US, the percentage of our meat products that come from factory farms:
• 99.9% of chickens for meat• 97% of laying hens• 99% of turkeys• 95% of pigs• 78% of cattle
• http://www.factoryfarmmap.org/
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Global Impacts of Livestock • Produces 18% of greenhouse gas emissions
• Uses 30% of the Earth’s total land surface
• Good videos: Fresh, Food Inc., King Corn, Frontline’s Harvest of Fear
A double quarter pounder: uses 3000 liters of water
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Worldwide Picture• As income increases, meat consumption also increases• Consequences: water, chemical inputs to grow grain,
animal abuse, transportation costs, monocultures
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Fig. 8.5Benefits of eating lower on the food chain
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Agroecology solution
• Smaller farms with fewer animals• Using animal waste as fertilizer is OK in small
amounts• Rotating animals• Eating less meat!
Note: if you eat dairyyou are still part of the meat system
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Organic vs Conventional
• Organic yields match conventional yields & outperforms conventional in years of drought
• Organic farming systems build rather than deplete soil organic matter, making it a more sustainable system
• Organic farming uses 45% less energy• Conventional systems produce 40% more
greenhouse gases• Organic farming systems are more profitable
than conventional
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Can organic farming “feed the world”?
Some takeaway considerations:– We waste 30-40% of our food– There are currently enough calories produced for
everyone (2,700 calories/person)– Of the ice-free land on earth, almost 40% is already
dedicated to agriculture
Perhaps the question should be instead: should conventional agriculture feed the world?
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Solution: Agroecology
Recognize the farm as an ecosystem:– Grow lots of different crops, use heritage seeds– Rotate crops & animals– Implement integrated pest management– Use legumes or small amounts of animal waste for
fertilizer– Use wetlands to reduce runoff and eutrophication
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What you can do:Buy local, buy organic, ask questions!
www.LocalHarvest.org – Find a CSA www.EatWellGuide.org - Find local farms