Conventional, Organic and Conservation Agriculture: Production and Environmental Impact

Abstract

Agriculture production has to increase by 70% within 2050 in order to keep pace with population growth and changing diets. However, this production increase will have to be achieved in a way that preserves the environment and reduces the vulnerability of agriculture to climate change. Agriculture will furthermore need to minimize the emissions of greenhouse gases, pesticides and plant nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorous to the environment. Organic agriculture, conventional agriculture and conservation agriculture can be considered as different approaches for dealing with these production and environmental challenges. This chapter discusses the production and environmental implications of these three diffe­rent approaches for agricultural development. Conventional agriculture is characterised by ploughing and limited recycling of organic materials. Organic agriculture uses no pesticides and mineral fertiliser whereas conservation agriculture is characterized by zero tillage, use of mulch and crop rotations.