Conventional wisdom about agriculture is turned on its head in a new study by the Rodale Institute, a Pennsylviania-based nonprofit that promotes organic farming. Organic yields are 31 percent higher than conventional yields in times of drought, the institute's study has found.
Organic yields are also higher than those of genetically modified "drought tolerant" crops. Also interesting: organic farms produce three times higher net return than conventional ones on average, with one organic crop yielding 30 times higher net return. Organic systems also use 45 percent less energy, the study said.
The institute says its study is the longest in duration comparing organic and conventional farming methods.
