Feeding the World: Are Organics Up to the Challenge?

by Ethan Book

Epicurious - CondéNet

on 11/07/08 at 08:00 AM

If there is one thing that the conventional agricultural industry likes to say about organic or small-scale farms, it is that they cannot feed the world. The conventional agricultural wisdom will admit that the organic market does fill a niche, but they also say it can't be the solution for a growing world that needs food. Here in the middle of the country the conventional wisdom is pretty popular, along with the latest in chemical applications and genetically modified seeds.

There are a growing number of people, however, who believe organic farming may be able to solve not only health and environmental problems but also the problem of producing enough food for a hungry world. Take the jump to see why some think organics are the answer and what they are doing to tell the world about it.

Back in January of this year the "The Ecologist" magazine came up with "10 Reasons Why Organic Can Feed the World". They sited various field tests and research results that concluded that organics could compete with conventional yields and bring more to the table. But, they also emphasized that there would need to be changes in our eating (not something everyone is willing to do) and our farming practices (again, not something every farmer is willing to do). You can read all about their ten reasons by clicking on the link above.

In November of 2007 the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture released a study that spanned nine years. The press release says, "the longer rotations and careful management of the organic system show greater yields, increased profitability, and steadily improved soil quality over conventional practices". To me that sounds like a win, win, win! I think the key ingredient to this study was that they took the time for the management practices to take hold and look at more long term impacts. There was also an interesting story posted over at the Gristmill discussing this research. As always, the comments are as good as or better than the short story itself.

And now the Organic Center and the Rodale Institute, along with other groups, are coming together for "Ripe for Revolution: The Organic Solution". It looks like it will be an evening of good food (who doesn't like that) and of course lots of talk about why organics can feed the world. They are going to have "famous" people and two guest chefs, Michel Nischan and Christina Pirello. If you are interested, it even appears that tickets are still available for the event which takes place this coming Tuesday, November 11th, in New York.

I'm not exactly sure where the "organic revolution" will go, but I do know one thing. It is worth a very close look because really there is nothing revolutionary about it. Organic was the way our grandparents and great-grandparents farmed their entire lives, and it seemed to feed people back then. Now, with better equipment and the shared knowledge of many generations, it could work for our people and our world.

So, what do you think? Can organics feed the world or is it just a nice little niche market for those that have the desire to eat organically?

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