Chapter 1 - Contribution of Organic Farming Towards Global Food Security: An Overview

Abstract

This chapter verifies the contributions of organic and inorganic farming within the context of global food security. This chapter is based on data obtained from a synthesis of existing literature obtained through Google Scholar, the Scientific Citation Index (SCI) database, and ISI Science. The first part of this work explores the conceptual issues around organic and inorganic farming; this is followed by a synthesis of the potential effects of organic and inorganic farming on global food security and finally the effects of organic and inorganic farming on food security in Africa. The results from this synthesis show that organic farming can indeed reduce global food insecurity but there is a limitation to the extent to which this can be obtained as it has been observed that there is a threshold beyond which a combination of organic and inorganic farming options produce the best effects and organic farming alone cannot sustain production. A system dependent on organic farming is rather complex and may warrant that: the current scale of arable production be expanded while the farmers need to be trained on how to valorize the advantages of organic farming especially in Africa. Understanding how to make use of other components of agro-ecology is mandated. The weaknesses of conventional farming must be evaluated in detail by setting up pilot agro-ecology farms and comparing their yields with conventional farms around the world in general and in Africa in particular. Most of the studies consulted recommend either inorganic farming or a combination of inorganic and organic. Therefore, as a way forward, farmers must be given the opportunity to take decisions on which way to go and this should be based on the availability of sufficient information on the economic, social, and environmental sustainability implications of their actions. In addition, the markets for farm inputs should become more competitive and efficient, and this will trigger lower prices and better services to the farmers.