We are please to relay last Ifoam’s annual report as this organisation works hard to promote Organic Farming all over the world.
Here are some extracts we thought useful to share.
“There are 67 million hectares of land, organically managed by 1.4 million certified producers. Non-certified producers, for which no official figures exist, are presumed to represent the total of certified producers many times over”.
“Global sales reached 50.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2008, doubling in value from 2003.
“70% of the world’s food is produced by a web of small producers, including 1.5 billion smallholder farmers. These farmers form the backbone of food security in the developing world”.
“Organic agricultural systems sequester on average 560 kg of CO2 per hectare per year more than conventional systems in temperate regions. In tropical regions the difference lies at an average of 1 tonne of CO2 per hectare. These benefits, however, could potentially be dwarfed by the devastating impacts of industrial agriculture, should agriculture as a whole be recognized and rewarded as carbon sinks in climate policies”.
Organic farming is a powerful tool based on the utilization of biodiversity. Farming communities relying on their ecosystems and traditions, combined with the innovation of organic research and experience, improve their soils, animal welfare and their families’ livelihood. Statistics show that organic farmers in industrialized countries have a higher income than their conventional colleagues. Impact studies in developing countries reveal increased resilience and prove that farming communities taking up organic agricultural practices consume a more varied diet and enjoy better health. It is widely known that yields of organic crops are slightly lower in temperate zones, with optimal conditions particularly in the first years after conversion. However, it is also widely ignored that organic farmers achieve higher yields on marginal land. Overall, organic agriculture performs similarly with less investment. With a strategy of eco-intensification, it is possible, even in the future, to feed the world with organic agriculture”.