Industrialized and Organic Agriculture

It is said that before the 1920s all agriculture was generally “organic”. Since that time there has been a progressive expansion in industrialized agricultural methods.  These methods include mechanization, synthetic fertilizer application and from the 1940’s, the wide use of pesticides, later herbicides and recently a growing use of genetically modified organisms.   

Most of the thousands of synthetic chemicals now used in agriculture have minimal or no testing of adverse impacts and virtually none for their synergistic adverse impact. The devastating effects of pesticides on the environment and the inhabitant creatures was graphically shown by Rachael Carson in her book “Silent Spring” published in 1962.  Despite the efficiencies of industrialized agriculture, this model of agricultural practice is very dependent on finite resources (petroleum and phosphate rock), is responsible for increased soil erosion and has an impact on the quality of precious fresh water. When it is all said and done, it is rather arrogant to believe that we humans can improve on nature’s intricate systems without fully understanding the interactions in the biological system.  

Whilst some argue that the methods of industrialized agriculture is essential to feed the planet, there is a growing international community who believe that “organic” practices are essential to enhance sustainability through the health of the soil and all organisms involved.  Some authors suggest that a move to organic agriculture is essential to make a meaningful impact on increased employment, pollution reduction, health improvement and avoiding the excesses of chemical poisoning agents. Finland has adopted clean water, organic agriculture and educational capabilities in it’s national strategy “Mission for Finland”.