Organic farming – a sustainable option to reduce soil degradation

Abstract

Soils form the basis for the development and expansion of agriculture, needed ecosystem functions and food security. Therefore, they are a critical resource for sustaining life on Earth. For the growing human population (7.9 billion in 2022 and projected to increase to 9.5 billion by 2050) to be sustained during present climate changes, a drastic transformation in the global food system will be required for achieving a more sustainable agricultural system, capable of feeding people properly, improving fertility and reducing soil degradation, without destroying the natural resource base. Organic farming (OF) can be proposed as an environmentally sustainable option that can help achieve these goals. Organic agriculture shows a superior environmental performance per unit area than conventional agriculture, according to many environmental indicators, preventing the exploitation of natural resources and minimizing the ecological footprint of farming. Improving soil quality using OF (i.e., increasing organic matter pool, improving structure, enhancing fertility and biodiversity) can reduce soil degradation risks (physical, chemical, and biological), while reducing the impact of climate changes on natural ecosystems and functioning of the biosphere. Indeed, alternative options for farming systems that mimic ecological processes while minimizing external inputs are often suggested as more sustainable ways of producing food. In this chapter we aim to assess the advantages of implementing OF systems to aid sustainable food security and human health, as well as describing the main reasons why organic farming can help the restoration of degraded soils, improving soil quality, ecosystems’ health and functioning. Sustainable agricultural development should require meeting the needs of the present without compromising the welfare of future generations. The strategy is to produce “more from less” by reducing losses and increasing the efficiency of soil, water, and nutrient use.