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Organic Farming vs Conventional Farming

Poster · April 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3940.1361

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Daljit S.K. Keeren Sundara Rajoo

Universiti Putra Malaysia Universiti Putra Malaysia
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 1Department
Conventional vs Organic Farming of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, UPM
2Department of Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, UPM

Alvin Lim Teik Zheng1*, D.S. Karam2,4, R.M. Zawawi1, and K.S. Rajoo3 3Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, UPM

4Institute of Plantation Studies, UPM

*alvinltz29@gmail.com ; +60174071508

INTRODUCTION ORGANIC FARMING CONVENTIONAL FARMING

Around the world, the dependency on Organic farming is a form of agriculture that A crop can be classified as conventional if synthetic chemicals are used to maintain the plants. A significant
land and other natural resources is relies on sustainable techniques to enhance amount of chemical and energy input is required in conventional agriculture to produce the highest possible
inevitable to meet human needs and long the natural fertility of a farm, including crop yield of crops. Conventional agriculture was developed to make farming more efficient, but achieves that
term survival. Since the past decade, rotation, companion planting, biological efficiency at a major cost to the environment. The goal of conventional agriculture is to maximize the
organic farming was promoted and pest control, and naturally-sourced potential yield of crops. This is achieved through the application of synthetic chemicals, genetically
adopted by the government as a way for fertilizers such as compost, manure, green modified organisms, and a number of other industrial products. Production of these crops is beneficial to
maintaining a sustainable agriculture due manure, and bone meal. Pest-control nothing but food security and economy. Since the goal of conventional agriculture is to maximize yields,
to its less dependent on external factors. measures such as mixed crops and fostering environmental health and biodiversity are usually not preserved.
In the eleventh Malaysian Plan (2016- natural insect predators, are employed,
2020), the focus of the government while it excludes the use of synthetic
include promoting the agro-food
INGREDIENT & PROCESSIING CONVENTIONAL ORGANIC
petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides,
subsector in order to achieve the targeted plant growth regulators such as hormones, Artificial flavours May be used NEVER
sufficiency level of key food commodities. antibiotic use in livestock, genetically Artificial colours May be used NEVER
In contrary, conventional farming has modified organisms, human sewage sludge,
been a common practice among farmers and nanomaterial. The agricultural approach
Artificial preservatives May be used NEVER
in improving productivity to meet the emphasizes sustainability, openness, Artificial fertilizers May be used NEVER
increasing demand. However, this form of independence, health, and safety. Artificial pesticides May be used NEVER
farming has been dependent on the high
usage of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides Irradiation May be used NEVER
and herbicides that has raised pertinent Genetically engineered ingredient May be used NEVER
environmental concerns which affects the
biodiversity (Lupwayi et al., 2001). This
method is based on the research
conducted by Jenkins et al., 2010;
Gasparatos et al., 2011 and Arnhold et al.,
2014.

The environment benefits because natural habitats are less threatened

The soil can be in better condition because of the manure used
It can provide healthier food for people
The industry is worth over £1 billion a year
BBC UK
More produce is damaged by pests
Weed control is time consuming as weeds are often removed mechanically
Organic dairy farms produce more methane per animals than non-organic due to the diet of the cattle
Some organic farming methods use more water than conventional farming
The crop yield is lower on organic farms (about 20% less compared to conventional farming
Find out mores…
1. Arnhold, S., Lindner, S., Lee, B., Martin, E., Kettering, J., Nguyen, T. T., Koellner, T., Ok, T. S. & Huwe, B. (2014). Conventional and organic farming: Soil erosion and conservation potential for row crop
cultivation. Geoderma, 219-220, 89–105.
2.Gasparatos, D. Roussos, P.A, Christofilopoulou, E. & Haidouti, C. (2011). Comparative effects of organic and conventional apple orchard management on soil chemical properties and plant mineral content
under Mediterranean climate conditions, Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition. 11:105- 117.
3. Jenkins, H. J. L., Godwin, J. R., Pearce, B. et al (2010). A comparison between conventional and organic farming practice. 19th World Congress of Soil Sciences, Soil Solutions for a Changing World,
Brisbane, Australia, 1-6 August 2010. 1: 1-4.
4. Lupwayi, N. Z., Monreal, M. A., Clayton, G. W., Grant, C. A., Johnston, A. M., & Rice. W. A. (2001). Soil microbial biomass and diversity respond to tillage and sulphur fertilizers. Canadian Journal of Soil
Science. 81:577-589.

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