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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 19, No. 3, 2019, pp. 14517-14540
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Bioline Code: nd19041
Full paper language: English
Document type: Review Article
Document available free of charge
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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 19, No. 3, 2019, pp. 14517-14540
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AN OVERVIEW USE AND IMPACT OF ORGANIC AND SYNTHETIC FARM INPUTS IN DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
K, Tsion & W, Steven
Abstract
This review assesses the general view of conventional and organic farming. Many studies
have revealed that the continuous use of synthetic farm inputs has a negative effect on
the soil, producers, products and the ecosystem. The lack of knowledge, capital and
information has affected farmers’ actions and decisions regarding synthetic and organic
farm inputs. In developed countries, farmers have been selective in applying only limited
amounts of synthetic fertilizer and pesticides to reduce the concentrations of heavy metal
and harmful chemicals in the farming environment. Literature shows that soil samples
taken after cultivation had higher concentrations of Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic, when
compared to the concentrations of these heavy metals in soil before cultivation. There is
a clear evidence that undesirable levels of heavy metals develops in soils subjected to
different farm inputs. This indicates that farm input can have adverse effects on soil
ecosystem. The pesticides use in Africa generally increased by about 6% from 2002 to
2014. Therefore, there is a need to create awareness on the use of synthetic farm inputs.
In developing countries, farmers are exposed to banned and harmful farm inputs, which
could affect human health and the ecosystem. Intensified knowledge, access to correct
information and alternative organic farm inputs are required to transform the existing
conventional farming to organic farming practices. Developing countries should extend
their knowledge and information of the farming system to decrease the impact of
synthetic farming inputs on the environment, the soil ecosystem and public health.
Governmental organizations (GOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should
develop a willingness to take the proper measures to facilitate and implement proper
mechanisms; to intensify alternative natural farm inputs to obtain relevant knowledge
and capital to sustain organic farming practices and to contribute to the security of the
food supply, human health and the environment.
Keywords
Organic agriculture; conventional agriculture; environment; harmful farm inputs; heavy metals
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