Question:
Identify the benefits and limitations of organic farming. .
Answer:
The advantages of organic farming are:
- Inexpensive Process. Organic agriculture offers a means to substitute costlier agricultural inputs (such as HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) with locally produced organic inputs that are cheaper and thereby generate more return on investment.
- Generates Income. It generates income through international exports as the demand for organically grown crops is on a rise.
- Healthier and Tastier Food. Organically grown food has more nutritional value than food grown with chemical farming. It, thus, provides us with healthy foods.
- Solves Unemployment Problem. Since organic farming requires more labour input than conventional farming, it will solve unemployment problem.
- Environment Friendly. The produce is pesticide-free and produced in an environmentally sustainable way.
Limitations of organic farming are:
- It has been observed that the yield from organic farming is much less than modern agricultural farming. Thus, goods produced organically command a higher price.
- Small and marginal farmers may not adapt to this type of farming due to lack of awareness and limited choice of alternate production in off-seasons.
- Organic produce may have a shorter shelf life.
