Can organic agriculture feed the world?

 
Defenders of the so-called Green Revolution have long held that organic farming techniques were no match for feeding the world’s burgeoning population. Not only is industrial agriculture currently failing miserably at this task, Grist writer Tom Philpott charges, but organic methods have a better shot as sustaining our growing numbers in the long run.

The author cites, among other studies, recent research from the University of Iowa showing organic corn yields outpacing conventional plots over nine years and soy producing similarly. Furthermore, said head researcher Kathleen Delate, the organic plots infiltrated water better, thereby reducing runoff and recharging the aquifer more efficiently. Nutrients were also cycled more effectively.

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