Integrating the environmental and economic consequences of converting to organic agriculture: evidence from a case study

Cobb, Dick; Feber, Ruth E.; Hopkins, A.; Stockdale, Liz; O’Riordan, Tim; Clements, B. W.; Firbank, L. G.; Goulding, Keith; Jarvis, S. C.; Macdonald, David W.

doi:10.1016/s0264-8377(99)00023-x

Cited by 65 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…In contrast, on a shallow (less than 30 cm deep) stony clay loam soil over limestone, losses of N were identical to those from a nearby conventional farm, and there was a reduction in gross margins. The Organic farming study measured N, P and K budgets, N losses and the economics and environmental benefits of this organically based farming system (Cobb et al 1999). On average, nitrate leaching on the organic system was two-thirds that in the conventional system.…”

Section: (D) Livestock Production Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing nutrient management for farm systems

Goulding

Jarvis²,

Whitmore

2007

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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269

163

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On file RONO: 00Increasing the inputs of nutrients has played a major role in increasing the supply of food to a continually growing world population. However, focusing attention on the most important nutrients, such as nitrogen (N), has in some cases led to nutrient imbalances, some excess applications especially of N, inefficient use and large losses to the environment with impacts on air and water quality, biodiversity and human health. In contrast, food exports from the developing to the developed world are depleting soils of nutrients in some countries. Better management of all essential nutrients is required that delivers sustainable agriculture and maintains the necessary increases in food production while minimizing waste, economic loss and environmental impacts. More extensive production systems typified by 'organic farming' may prove to be sustainable. However, for most of the developed world, and in the developing world where an ever-growing population demands more food, it will be essential to increase the efficiency of nutrient use in conventional systems. Nutrient management on farms is under the control of the land manger, the most effective of whom will already use various decision supports for calculating rates of application to achieve various production targets. Increasingly, land managers will need to conform to good practice to achieve production targets and to conform to environmental targets as well.Peer reviewe

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Section: (D) Livestock Production Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing nutrient management for farm systems

Goulding

Jarvis²,

Whitmore

2007

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

Self Cite

269

163

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“…The environmental benefits of organic agriculture include the mitigation of climate change; preservation and improvement of soil fertility; increased levels of carbon sink; minimised water use; and the preservation and enhancement of biodiversity (Cobb et al, 1999;Williamson, Ferrigno & Vodouhe, 2005;Gomiero, Paoletti & Pimentel, 2008).…”

Section: Environmental Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Organic agriculture also holds social benefits (Cobb et al, 1999;Gomiero et al, 2008), as it reduces health problems, maintains food security (Williamson et al, 2005) and provides job opportunities (Pearson, 2007). In terms of the promotion of human health, organic food is believed to play an important role due to its high nutritional quality and quantity, and reduction of harmful chemicals (Lotter, 2003;IFOAM, 2006;Gomiero et al, 2008).…”

Section: Social Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although Nierenberg (2005) argued that organic agriculture is associated with lower yields, various other studies have shown that it is equally profitable as conventional agriculture, if not more so (Cobb et al, 1999;Sean, Klonsky, Livingston & Temple, 1999;Padel, 2001;Pimentel, Hepperly, Hanson, Douds & Seidel, 2005;Williamson, et al, 2005;Olgun, Adanacioglu & Saner, 2006;Philpott, Bichier, Rice & Greenberg, 2007). Furthermore, Mendoza (2004) noted that the financial benefits of organic agriculture are the following: cash expenses are lower, net revenue is higher (despite slightly lower yields) and the breakeven point is lower.…”

Section: Financial Benefitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Organic agriculture: the trade-off between financial and non-financial benefits

Jordaan-Marais

Eiselen

2015

J. econ. financ. sci.

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The threats of climate change have compelled humans to consider the environmental impact of their decisions, including those relating to agricultural practices. Organic agriculture is believed to be a mitigating factor when it comes to climate change. This article explores the perceptions of organic farmers regarding the benefits of organic agriculture, from a financial and nonfinancial perspective. It also highlights the trade-off between the perceived non-financial and financial benefits of organic agriculture. A convenience sample of 26 farmers was obtained. The utility of a convenience sample was necessary due to the unavailability of a complete database of organic farms in South Africa. Results indicated that the perceived non-financial benefits of organic agriculture were considered to be the most important consideration for the decision to farm organically. The results confirmed and augmented those found by other authors, namely that the environmental benefits of organic agriculture were considered to be very important to organic farmers.

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“…The main objective of the project reported here was to make the community or part of it able to produce its own food using organic production techniques. According to Cobb et al (1999) organic production helps retain local employment, improves social cohesion and generalizes new economic initiatives. Non-organic productionThe first phase of the project, lasting about two years, consisted in getting information about the community.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of robustness analysis for planning actions in a poor Brazilian community

2010

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This paper reports on the use of Robustness Analysis for planning actions in a poor Brazilian community. The focus is on food and agricultural production and the project is based on a participatory approach incorporating both community-driven development and sustainability in food production. A comparison is made with other soft Operations Research (OR) methodologies and first actions and results are reported.Keywords: soft OR; robustness analysis; sustainable community development. ResumoEste artigo propõe o uso da Análise de Robustez para o planejamento de ações em uma comunidade de baixa renda no Brasil. O foco está na produção agrícola e de alimentos e o projeto fundamenta-se em uma abordagem participativa incorporando tanto o desenvolvimento voltado para a comunidade quanto a sustentabilidade na produção de alimentos. Apresenta-se uma comparação com outras metodologias de PO soft e relatam-se alguns resultados e ações.Palavras-chave: PO soft; análise de robustez; desenvolvimento comunitário sustentável.

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Integrating the environmental and economic consequences of converting to organic agriculture: evidence from a case study

Cited by 65 publications

References 15 publications

Optimizing nutrient management for farm systems

Optimizing nutrient management for farm systems

Organic agriculture: the trade-off between financial and non-financial benefits

The use of robustness analysis for planning actions in a poor Brazilian community

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