Swiss Study Establishes Organic Benefits

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Friday, 31 May 2002

A report by Swiss scientists at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture is the first to show conclusively that organic farms can be nearly as productive as ordinary farms for some crops, and that they leave soils healthier.

The report is the result of a comprehensive study comparing organic and ordinary farming over 21 years. The study also demonstrates that for most crops, organic plots are more energy efficient per unit crop. Soil scientist John Reganold of Washington State University, Pullman said: "This gives more credibility to organic systems.”

Source: Erik Stokstad, Science, 31 May 2002