Summary
This 2017 narrative review by Reganold examines organic agriculture's capacity to contribute to global food and ecosystem security, noting that despite representing approximately 1% of global agricultural land, organic systems offer multiple sustainability advantages. The author argues that no single farming system can sustainably meet global food demand, and advocates instead for a diversified portfolio approach integrating organic, agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and other innovative systems. The paper identifies significant barriers to adoption and emphasises the importance of varied policy mechanisms to facilitate transition and implementation.
UK applicability
The review's emphasis on diversified farming portfolios aligns with UK policy frameworks (e.g. sustainable farming incentives, Environmental Land Management schemes) and may inform UK transition planning. However, as a global narrative review, it does not provide UK-specific data on organic productivity, yield gaps, or regional suitability.
Key measures
Global organic agriculture land coverage (~1% of agricultural land); sustainability metrics across multiple farming systems; policy and transition mechanisms
Outcomes reported
The paper assesses organic agriculture's potential role in addressing 21st-century food and ecosystem security challenges. It evaluates sustainability benefits, adoption barriers, and the necessity for integrated farming system approaches.
Topic tags
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