As consumers in 2021, we notice that organic produce is a legitimate entity of the UK food chain, now more than ever.
Everywhere we go, we see food sporting the organic label.
The organic element of food production is becoming more prominent in society as we become more finely tuned to our overall health needs. We instinctively know that organic may be a better consumer choice when concerning our overall health.
But what makes organic food so popular?
Compared with conventional agriculture, organic farming uses fewer pesticides, reduces soil erosion, decreases chemicals going into the groundwater and surface water, and recycles animal wastes back into the farm.
These benefits apply to the consumer, the animals, the crops, and the farming standards.
The only aspect of all of this goodness is, as you would imagine, that all of the specialised organic procedures are counterbalanced by higher food costs for consumers and generally lower yields of organic crops and produce for the farmers.
So how does organic benefit the farmers who do the farming under these rigorous and legal organic standards?
The 5 Benefits of Organic Farming to Farmers
Here are the 5 benefits of organic farming to farmers that you may not be fully aware of:
Conservation for Nature
Conservation and sustainable management practices at organic farms help decrease climate change, provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and increase soil fertility and productivity.
This means that for organic farmers, their farming methods can be very long term, as they protect not only the farming practices but also the surrounding areas, making it much more viable to be continued in the long term.
Of course, conserving nature is always a great thing.
Reduction in Carbon Dioxide Production
Organic farming actively reduces carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which causes the planet to warm.
Global warming is a genuine concern and has been for many years, so organic farmers actually make organic farming have less of a detrimental impact on the environment, which in turn reduces the effects of global warming on the broader planet.
For farmers, this protection element is so important, as it means they can continue farming with the least detrimental effects, increasing their livelihood longevity.
Farming Without Waste
Waste is not always an immediate concern of thought for most consumers. It is possibly something that we don’t even think about when buying produce!
The fact is that organic farmers work to cut down on the amount of food waste they produce and actively use natural materials, like wood, straw, and manure, and natural fertilisers, to nourish their crops and feed their collections.
Everything that is grown in the environment is utilised back into the creation of the end product, dramatically reducing their waste removal costs and further negative environmental impacts.
Maintains and Conserves Soil Health
Organic farmers are not only mindful of the organic farming techniques by making the processes they use have the least negative impacts on the surrounding soil for conservation, but they are also legally bound to do so via the legalities involved in being certified an organic farmer.
Soil conservation is vital for maintaining that level of purity required for organic standards, and it also ensures the end products are as pure as they can be for the consumer at the other end.
Produce that has had no pesticides, insecticides, or GMOs are without doubt better for your overall health but for the farmers, it means that their produce remains high quality, extending their business shelf life.
Higher Demand and Revenue
Of course, with people being more mindful of their consumer choices when it comes to food, organic food is the natural choice for those who want to have a healthier food option.
For organic farmers, this means that their services and produce will be required with consistency, which will bring them an increased revenue from that consistency and the higher price tag that organic products hold.
The Challenges of Organic Farming
Organic farming requires rigorous standards that vary by region all over the world.
Farmers must adhere to guidelines regarding the sustainability of farming, land tenure, animal treatment, and so much more.
Many of these regulations focus on food safety issues and the conservation of the environment, but understanding the scope of organic farming requires detailed knowledge of all of the various rules in place.
For organic farmers, this execution of specific details is admirable. It undoubtedly deserves consumer attention, as the farmers work very hard within the guidelines to make sure the end product is the healthiest it can be for you.
This benefits the farmer from both a process and revenue point of view.
How Can We Support Organic Agriculture?
Organic farming will only continue with support from the consumers, as where there is demand, there will be a solution.
By increasing organic agriculture, we can decrease the health burden on the environment and counteract the destructive impact of modern agricultural practices.
On the local level, it is essential to support and encourage your local farmers who are driving innovation and pushing the sustainability element of farming through organic protocols and processes.
Top Benefits of Organic Farming to the Planet
Over the long term, organic agriculture:
- Produces a greater variety of food, with a smaller environmental footprint than conventional farming.
- Organic farms use fewer pesticides and herbicides than conventional farms, which means they are less likely to contribute to ecosystem disruptions and deplete natural resources like water and nitrogen.
- Organic farming also produces a much higher nutrient content in the soil for crops. For example, organic crops contain far more phosphorus than conventional crops, which helps prevent chemical buildup in the ground and acts as a fertility boost for plants.
Conclusion
Organic farmers produce safer food for your family as it is not derived from artificial chemicals, genetically modified organisms, and other harmful synthetic inputs.
Although the costs of organic farming can be higher than conventional methods, this challenge, from a farming perspective, is well worth the investment.
The money they may have ordinarily spent on mass-control methods such as pesticides and huge waste removal bills, they actually invest back into the produce they nurture by using as much as they can and putting it back into their organic agriculture.
The result of this is simple; a healthier organic product in comparison with the equivalent mass-produced item. Organic farmers take great pride in the organic procedures that allow them to carry the organic stamp of approval, bringing them consistently and increasing revenue.
All in all, organic farmers reap a massive amount of benefits from organic farming. Some are not always financial rewards, which is a commendable attribute to sustainable and organic agriculture.
