Organic Food Production And Consumption Offer Many Advantages And Benefits

Other environmental advantages of organic food production

There are several other advantages of organic food production which benefit the environment, namely:

• Organic farming uses much less energy than modern commercial farming methods – as little as 50%, it seems.

• Organic farming produces less waste.

• Organic farming uses less fertilizers.

• Organic farming contributes less to global warming because it locks more carbon in the soil rather than releasing it into the atmosphere.

Better long-term sustainability

Because of the abovementioned advantages of organic food production, there is thus better sustainability when it comes to organic farming.

The cleanliness and quality of precious water and land resources are preserved, and vital resources are reused. This preserves the environment and farming resources for use by future generations, and food can be continually grown using the same land without the need to use chemical fertilizers.

This is one of the critical long-term advantages of organic food production.

More humane treatment of animals

When it comes to organic meats and other animal-based food products, another of the advantages of organic food production is the more humane conditions under which animals are raised.

Although animals which are raised organically would finally still be slaughtered for food, they would at least suffer less in the course of their lives. I’m sure you have seen pictures or videos of animals being raised in cramped conditions, almost like prisoners, in farms.

Due to cleaner and healthier living conditions, the animals would also be less likely to suffer from dangerous diseases often associated with commercial farming methods – avian flu, mad cow disease, to name a couple.

Better and safer working conditions for farm workers

One of the lesser known advantages of organic food production is its benefits on the humans who work in the industry.

People who work in organic farms are better off than those who work in commercial farms, as they are less exposed to harmful chemicals as well as various dangerous diseases, as mentioned above.

Chemical pesticides which are used on commercial farms end up in the atmosphere and on the bodies of farm workers. Such exposure causes short-term illnesses – abdominal pains, dizziness, headaches, skin problems, etc, as well as long-term diseases, including cancer and respiratory conditions.

Advantages of organic food purchases from local farmers

Assuming you buy your organic produce from local farmers, you will then be supporting small organic farmers, which are often small family-run farms and businesses. Good and ethical farmers need our support!

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