The Role of Organic Farming in Sustainable Food Systems

Abstract

Organic agriculture has become a central method of dealing with the urgent issues of global food security, environmental decline, and public health. While traditional agriculture still depends on synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and monocultures, it plays a major role in causing loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and global warming. Organic agriculture, based on ecological principles, focuses on natural soil health, crop diversity, and minimal chemical inputs, thus playing a critical role in sustainable food systems. This article discusses the history of evolution, principles, environmental effects, economic considerations, and policy contexts of organic agriculture. It also touches upon the challenges in organic agriculture scaling, such as yield gaps, barriers to certification, and market constraints. Through combining case studies and existing research, the article emphasizes the importance of organic farming in achieving ecological balance, protecting human health, and ensuring long-term food security. The results indicate that organic farming cannot completely replace conventional systems by itself, but its incorporation into overall agricultural policies and practices is critical to transforming towards sustainability in global food production.