BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE – OLD TRADITIONS AND MODERN PRACTICES

Abstract

The concerns regarding food security and safety, environmental challenges and resource scarcity remodel the prospects of agriculture. Therefore biodynamic farming as an alternative method for sustainable production becomes an object of growing scientific interest in the past 20 years. Biodynamic farming is one of the oldest organic systems and its roots could be found in the beginning of 20th century. Although the skepticism, biodynamic agriculture evolved over the years and nowadays is considered as an opportunity to address various environmental, social and economic issues. The aim of the paper is to introduce the concept and features of biodynamic agriculture and observe different case studies and surveys on the effect of this farming system upon yields, profitability and sustainability. The analysis is based on different research methods. The paper applies monographic, historical and comparative methods. The results indicate that biodynamic farms have higher soil quality, lower crop yields, and equal or greater net returns than conventional agricultural holdings. The long-term effect of biodynamic farming on the economic performance, however, needs further research and investigation. The studies prove that biodynamic agriculture is important alternative farming system that could provide answers to number of alarming questions associated with viability and sustainable development.