Industry research<br /> for large-scale sustainability Industry research<br /> for large-scale sustainability

Glossary

Organic farming

According to its own definition, organic farming is a particularly nature-oriented form of agriculture that was developed around 100 years ago. For 20 years, this form of cultivation has also been defined in Switzerland by laws and the Organic Farming Ordinance. Organic farming works with nature and local conditions: with fertilisers from animals, plants and rocks, with natural plant protection products and robust plant varieties and animal breeds. According to the self-declaration of the Swiss label organisation Bio Suisse, the most important requirements observed worldwide are:


  • No synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilisers.
  • No use of genetically modified plants, animals or micro-organisms.
  • Conservation of soil fertility and natural diversity
  • Species-appropriate animal husbandry
  • Promote biodiversity


Even organic does not get by without pesticides. And even organic farmers protect their plants not only with natural extracts, but also with synthetically produced pesticides and biocides. (see organic pesticides). The yield of organically produced food is 20-50% lower, depending on the fruit, vegetable or grain. In its course book “Agrarwende 2050” (Agricultural Turnaround 2050), Greenpeace assumes that yields would fall by 40% if production were to be "ecologically" only (i.e. completely without synthetic pesticides).

In Switzerland and other affluent countries, reduced yields are mainly offset by direct payments, in certain cases by higher purchase prices, so that organic farming supported in this way can be economically appealing apart from total losses that have not been compensated. In contrast to organic agriculture, biodynamic agriculture includes further points, some of which are of anthroposophical origin.

Terms from the glossary