Organic food and farming systems: taking stock of the benefits

by Rod MacRae and Ralph C. Martin

The Canadian food and agriculture sector is facing significant environmental and financial difficulties, which are affecting perceptions of Canadian food, both domestically and internationally. There is growing evidence that more widespread adoption of organic agricultural systems would produce benefits that might solve some of Canada’s agricultural problems.

While Canadian governments largely treat the organic products sector as a niche market, in other nations the rapid growth of the organic products industry has forced governments to rethink their approach.

In this paper, Rod MacRae and Ralph C. Martin present scientific data to argue that organic food and farming is more than a niche market. Citing possible health benefits, gross margins that are at least as good as if not better than conventional systems, environmental benefits, and the potential for rural revitalization, they conclude that “Canadian governments would be wise to allocate more resources to organic farming development and adoption.”

MacRae, R and Martin, R.C. 2005. Organic Food and Farming Systems: Taking Stock of the Benefits. Policy Options July-August 2005, pp. 77-81.