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14
2
Is definitely a great option.. Not really..
Debate Score:16
Arguments:7
Total Votes:22
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 Is definitely a great option.. (6)
 
 Not really.. (1)

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Organic farming - Advantages / Disadvantages

While reading this article it made me think that organic farming is not as bright as it seems...it has many drawbacks that's for sure. I'm not decided yet if I should start an organic farm or not. What you guys think? While organic farming doesn't involve GMO's, the food is more tasty and fresh, there are fertilizers, fungicides and extra costs that are not making this practice that sustainable after all.

Is definitely a great option..

Side Score: 14
VS.

Not really..

Side Score: 2
3 points

Nothing compares to fresh and nutritious food. Organic farming does just that. Supermarket veggies and fruits (obviously not organic) have no taste, God knows if they have any nutrients at all, just color and wrapping.

Side: Is definitely a great option..
2 points

I'm all for organic.

But with that said, it is a fact things don't grow quite as large, and have more imperfections, and occasionally get blighted by pests. That just happens with organic. That's nature. We probably are not able to feed the entire world with just organic techniques. But hey, we can maximize how much share of farming is done organically by opting to by organic products.

Side: Is definitely a great option..
2 points

Although Organic Farming does have its downsides there are much more benefits:

https://www.thebalance.com/environmental-benefits-of-organic-farming-2538317

^ This article covers most of them.

Even if you splash a bit more cash buying this... the fresh and quality products that come out of it do benefit you in the long run.

Side: Is definitely a great option..
1 point

Hello R:

It's a GREAT option depending on the REASONS you're considering it.. If it's for your own family use, and you wanna eat the healthiest and best tasting produce you can, you'll go organic..

But, if you're going into the farming BUSINESS, for the reasons you pointed out, I'd go for full on production..

It's very hard to marry ideology and business without sacrificing one or the other..

excon

Side: Is definitely a great option..
1 point

Excon,

What you say is absolutely true on all counts.

It's very hard to marry ideology and business without sacrificing one or the other

I posted on the other side a discussion of difficulties with organic, and commercial advantages of non-organic heirloom farming. It is a compromise option.

Side: Is definitely a great option..
1 point

Is there any pros and cons to do an organic farming?

If anyone know about the advantage and disadvantages organic farming please let me know.

Side: Is definitely a great option..
1 point

There is a reason organic produce is SO MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE than non-organic.

The actual yield on organically grown produce is typically a very small fraction of the potential yield. Those $5 organic oranges at Whole Foods are not because the company is greedy. That price is so the poor guy with the organic orange grove can break even.

To explain:

I tried doing an organic garden (1/10 acre). I grew potatoes, corn, zucchini and yellow squash, bell peppers, jalapenos, tomatoes, carrots, watermelon. Some of what determines the chances of success are crop-specific.

The carrots, Jalapenos, roma tomatoes, and bell peppers all did fine. I had more than I could shake a stick at.

The potatoes did poorly, but that was mostly due to climate (not cool enough, and too humid and wet.)

The watermelons were half-size at best, and either rotted on the ground, or were not at all sweet.

The worst was the corn. I waited 2 days too long to harvest the corn, and the ears were so worm/grub eaten that I got three whole ears off of 150 plants.

Fertilizer and pesticides make an enormous difference in crop yield.

You might do much better if you used non-organic methods, but grew heirloom varieties.

Most of the Monsanto, etc. (GMO) seed crops have sacrificed flavor to achieve more optimal size, growth rate, disease resistance, and transportability. However, there are tons of people, especially foodies and gourmet restaurateurs who want the more flavorful heirloom produce.

An added benefit is your produce would have the cachet of being heirloom.

You could also use any "wasted" non marketable produce (bruised, etc.) for seed harvest to grow the next year's crops and for seed sales.

Side: Not really..