What are the advantages and disadvantages of organic agriculture for small farmers in developing countries?
A major advantage of organic agriculture for small farmers is the higher and generally more stable prices that this specialized market offers. Among the many benefits brought about by higher incomes are higher standards of living and increased food security. Organic agriculture is also advantageous to small farmers because it uses their traditional knowledge of the natural environment and of the unique relationships between various crops or animals and the environment. It is thus somewhat easier for small farmers to understand. At the same time, it avoids chemical inputs, which for small farmers are generally higher priced (because of increased transportation costs in rural areas and higher unit costs brought about by lower volumes), and to which they have not become as dependent as large-scale conventional farmers often have. Furthermore, the health factor of not having to handle harmful chemicals is particularly important to small farmers. There was a fair amount of discussion as to
