ORGANIC AGRICULTURE VS CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE VS CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE

Agriculture emerged approximately 10,000 years ago in what became known as the “Neolithic revolution”. It was from the moment, the civilization has been trying to modify natural processes in order to obtain the necessary food to satisfy their basic needs.

Throughout this period of time, there have been innumerable technological and productive innovations that have occurred, highlighting the changes that emerged after the industrial revolution of the eighteenth century and especially those arising from the “green revolution” of the mid-twentieth century.

It is precisely the “green revolution” that defines the principles of what is now known as conventional agriculture, an agriculture characterized by the use of agricultural machinery, improved seeds and agrochemicals, aimed at increasing food production without taking into account the damage that these practices can cause to the environment.

And, on the other hand, we have the concept of organic agriculture that emerged at the beginning of the twentieth century as a result of concern for food quality and the conservation of the nature.

At this point we consider the following questions:

1.- Do conventional products have the same quality as organic products?

Organic production uses production methods that differ from those used in conventional agriculture, although both pursue the same objective of achieving high quality food.

Organic farming does not use chemical products to combat pests or weeds, but various agronomic practices are used to avoid these products, such as the rotation of land or the use of more resistant varieties. With organic farming, we look for a fresh, seasonal product, without any chemical treatment that is as natural as possible. Therefore, the quality of organic products may be higher than conventional products.

2.– Do organic products have a different flavor than conventional ones?

Many consumers claim that the taste of organic products is better than conventional products; however, there are no scientific studies that can prove this claim. But it is true that organic products have an authentic flavor, explained by their production in a natural way.

3.- Why are organic products more expensive than conventional ones?

An organic product, as a rule, usually needs more time to be produced, more work, more controls subject to certification and other treatment techniques that a conventional product does not need. All these are costs that have to be imputed to the final price of the product; hence they have a higher price than conventional products.

In summary, whether conventional or organic agriculture, a series of environmental practices can be followed, such as those recommended by FAO that have benefits for both food production and environmental conservation, therefore, agriculture should be promoted, integrated, focused on reducing the use of chemicals in both organic and conventional agriculture and then ensure a natural production.

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