on more than 55 crops, organic farming has actually been
yielding 22-35% more profits than non-organic farming. The
study also concluded that organic farming requires 7-13%
extra labor, as it uses hands-on pest control methods rather
than chemical solutions. For example, instead of using a
harmful pesticide, an organic farm will introduce a natural
predator into the environment to counteract the pests.
This extra labor cost can be easily compensated by
passing on a 5-7% premium to consumers, who have
shown a willingness to pay the premium, according to a
poll conducted by the Organic Trade Association. “Parents
in charge of the household budget recognize the benefits
of organic...and they’re willing to pay a little more to
know they are giving their families the highest quality and
most healthy products being offered in their local store,”
says the trade group’s spokeswoman, Laura Batcha. In
fact, the National Academy of Sciences has determined
that farmers who make the transition to organic farming
are likely to raise their profit margin as high as 22-35%.
Organic growers also have access to natural plant growth
enhancers that have entered the market in the last decade
that can replace synthetic pesticides.
Research shows that organically produced foods are
richer in nutrients and antioxidants, but not all of the
benefits are easy to quantify. For example, traditional
farming methods often lead to soil erosion and fertilizer
nitrates entering nearby groundwater, two problems that
do not plague organic farms.
“Organic farming has actually
been yielding 22-35% more profits
than non-organic farming.”
With such promising statistics, why aren’t more farmers
switching to organic methods? The primary hesitation
lies in the time and money it takes to become a certified
organic farmer. For a farmer to be granted organic
status, they must practice organic farming for at least
three years, investing more resources without the added
compensation. The National Academy of Sciences believes
the United States government should encourage farmers
to make the transition by developing policies to
support them throughout the transition.
James E. Kostrava is the CEO and founder of Organibliss,
an organic, OMRI-listed plant