Organic agriculture combines modern scientific research with traditional farming techniques in a sustainable, efficient farming system. By working with natural processes and making use of locally available assets, poor smallholder farmers can build up the fertility and productivity of their farms while avoiding dependence on expensive external inputs. Growing markets for certified produce mean that organic agriculture offers an important opportunity for the rural poor in developing countries to benefit from international trade.
Increased food security
Organic agriculture builds up stocks of natural, social and economic resources over time, thus reducing many of the factors that lead to food insecurity.
Evidence from UNCTAD research shows that, in developing countries, organic agriculture can outperform conventional and traditional systems in terms of yields, cost-effectiveness and diversity. These benefits make organic agriculture of particular benefit to poor smallholder farmers, who may otherwise be at risk of food insecurity, indebtedness and malnutrition.
Organic farming increases access to food on three levels:
- Firstly, the increased quantity and diversity of food produced per farm leads to greater food and nutritional security for all members of the household.
- Secondly, the sale of produce in local and export markets means that farmers benefit from extra income, thus increasing their purchasing power.
- Thirdly, organic farming offers greater resilience in the face of risks such as droughts and floods, pests, and sudden drops in the price or yield of single crops.
Environmental benefits
Organic farming leads to many improvements to the natural environment, including:
- reduced pollution and health risks resulting from agro-chemicals and fertilizers,
- increased water retention in soils,
- improvements in the water table (with more drinking water in the dry season),
- reduced soil erosion combined with improved organic matter in soils, leading to better carbon sequestration,
- increased agro-biodiversity.
| The vast majority of the case studies examined by UNCTAD in East Africa show improvements to the local natural environment, with 93% outlining benefits to soil fertility, water supply and flood control, and biodiversity. |
Social and cultural benefits
Organic agriculture has the potential to safeguard rural livelihoods and revitalize smallholder agriculture. As a result, it can be an effective tool for protecting traditional knowledge and reducing rural-urban migration. In addition, the emphasis on farmers' groups and knowledge-based approaches in organic agriculture can lead to strengthened social organizations and norms for managing collective natural resources.
Strong networks and links with partners from government, NGOs and organic support organizations help farmers to organize for organic certification, access export and domestic organic markets, and gain knowledge of sustainable organic techniques, crops and markets.
Increased farmer and household incomes
Organic farming can be a powerful means to reduce poverty. Farmers benefit from:
- cash savings, as there is no need to purchase synthetic pesticides and fertilizers;
- extra income gained through selling surplus produce and cash crops
- premium prices for certified organic produce in export markets and some domestic markets
- the possibility of adding value to organic products through processing activities.
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