Summary - Selection 29

Environmental, Energetic, and Economic Comparisons of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems by David Pimentel et al.

This article gives comparisons between organic and conventional farming, of different kinds to do so. Using different kinds of cropping and also experimenting with weather conditions etc., Pimentel gives a comparison of the results. What he is weighing on is the price of human health vs. the conventional herbicide, synthetic fertilizers as opposed to using legumes or animals to crop. Ultimately, the environmental and health benefits for organic techniques reduced chemical inputs, there was less soil erosion, more water conservation, and improved soil organic matter and increased biodiversity. Even less fossil fuels were being used, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Weed control is also something that is factored in, and instead of using chemicals, mechanical Though Pimentel points out that organic corn and soybeans tend to be higher priced than conventional corn and soy beans, in the long run health shouldn't be sacrificed for price. There is also a potential for higher economic returns for the organic produce.

With organic technologies comes many beneficial things. In Pimentel's list are the benefits such as extended crop rotation which conserves both soil and water, and even reduces insect, disease, and weed problems. An increased level of organic matter in the soil also helps to conserve water resources, and in general there is increased biodiversity. Using any of these technologies increase the ecological, energetic, and economic sustainability of agricultural systems in general. Pimentel came to many conclusions with his studies, and all were beneficial to sustainable agriculture development.