Question

what is the advantages & disadvantages of organic farming?

Answer 1

Advantages:

1. Food produced is free from contaminants like chemical pesticides etc.
2. No chemical fertilisers are used, so less chances of soil pollution and water pollution (by agricultural runoff)
3. Organic farming uses natural predators or enemies of the pests for their control (biological control). This does not affect the other non target species. Besides, such methods do not wipe out the pest population from the area, instead control their numbers to a harmless count. This maintains ecological balance of the area, because each and every species has a critical role in the ecosystem.
4. Farm workers also stay healthier, as they do not have to deal with chemicals.
5. Organic farming supports existence of many species in the area, thus increases biodiversity.
6. It is cheaper in terms of input cost, as the farmers do not need to buy expensive chemical fertilisers or pesticides.

.Disadvantages:

1. Chemicals used in traditional agriculture can kill some beneficial insects also along with the pests, or even the natural enemies of the pests. Besides, they can cause a mass destruction of the target pests. All this disturbs ecological balance in the area,
2. Expensive at the end, because farmers need to input more time and could not get crop, as large as that could be obtained if chemicals were used.