The move to organic farming holds great merit
Nonsense...its a huge step back. We had “organic farming” for millenia and people regularly starved.
The science says direct application of organic chemicals is the most efficient way to increase yields. The science says that...because its true and proven. Couple that with the judicious use of weed supressants and pesticides and pretty soon your acreage is feeding the entire planet.
But hey...lets throw all that away. We can just use unicorn poop and sing to our fields.
There are other considerarions besides short term yield by weight.
Even slightly too much direct application of fertilizer salts slowly damages organic soil structure which results in greater need for water and more nutrients escaping the soil web every year. Which results in salts entering the ground water and eventually destroying lakes and streams. Proper control of salts and adequate rotation is a very exact science and often tilted toward slightly higher yield right now versus maintaining ecology. Why we have giant red lakes and toxic algae in many farm areas worldwide.
Inactive soil also reduces absorption of minerals and various micronutrients. Crops grown on salted soil maybe heavier yields and more water weight but often far fewer micronutrients pound for pound. Comparing the crystallization (brix) of juice from my veggies versus storebought is like night and day. Store is mostly water and little nutrients/flavor.
I’ve grown all my own veggies for many years and about 10 years ago I stopped fertilizer salts, tilling and irrigation. My yield per area increased every year and is now comparable or sometimes even more than modern farming. While soil quality and flavor continues to increase every year. The only thing I do to the soil is homemade compost on top 1-2 times a year.
While it can be succesful locally I do understand organic is not a 100% switchable solution for the food system as is now. Converting huge salted fields to organic takes many years to regain yields which many farmers cant afford.
There also simply isn’t enough organic compost because most people throw waste away. Returning most organic waste from faraway big cities to farms is not a trivial task. I compost all my own waste and return it to the soil just steps from home but most city people are terrified of even seeing garbage. And composting toilets? Fughedaboutit...