Diarsipkan.pdf

Heavy agricultural reliance on synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides has serious impacts on public health and the environment, with estimated environmental and health care costs of $12 billion annually in the US. Conventional agriculture also contributes to soil erosion, with estimated annual costs exceeding $45 billion. In contrast, integrated pest and nutrient management systems and certified organic agriculture can reduce reliance on agro-chemical inputs, making agriculture environmentally and economically sound. Organic agriculture aims to augment ecological processes, conserve soil and water resources, and eliminate agrochemicals. A 22-year study comparing organic and conventional grain-based farming systems found that organic systems can reduce pesticide use by 50-65% without sacrificing crop yields, and can improve soil quality, conserve water resources, and increase economic returns.