Many claim that the introduction of industrial agricultural technology during the Green Revolution of the 1960s has created food security in India and other economically developing nations. These industrial agricultural methods reduce the need for human labor while increasing the use of chemical fertilizers, and in turn produce higher yields of staple crops such as rice. However, in light of the current world wide energy crisis, it is important to consider whether it is more energy efficient, and subsequently more sustainable, to increase rice yields by using industrial methods (synthetic fertilizer and decreased human labor), or using intensive organic methods (increased human labor and no synthetic fertilizers). In this paper, I will argue that the Total Energy Ratio, per hectare, of organic farms in West Bengal, India is higher than the Total Energy Ratio of industrial farms (i.e. organic farms will produce more while requiring less energy input), and that it is therefore more economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable to utilize organic farming methods. To do so, I will use data collected from farmers in West Bengal on the hours of labor they require, the amount of fertilizers used, and their crop yields over three growing seasons. Additionally, I will use data collected from: 1) India’s Ministry of Agriculture on rice yields, fertilizer use, and farm size; 2) Stephan M. Freedman (University of Loyola Chicago) on energy expenditures for rice production in developing countries; 3) Stephen R. Moore (North Carolina State University) on energy efficiency ratios of biointensive techniques vs. those of industrial/mechanical techniques.
Outline
Introduction
- Issues of Food Security in the so-called developing world, and the Green Revolution
- Why India?
o Sustainability: ecology, economy, and social justice
- A general lack of research on agricultural productivity variations within countries (Kravis, 1976 in Dayal, 1984)
- Provide working definition for Organic Farms and Industrial farms
- Thesis: The use of biointensive organic farming methods is more energy efficient than industrial farming methods, and therefore supports sustainability, protecting soil health and the rights of small farmers.
Body
- Methodology
o Location: West Bengal, India
o Controls: small scale farms (app. 1-3.5 ha), with similar available resources (limited monetary resources, animal labor, limited mechanized labor), same region (similar climate conditions, similar irrigation/rainfall), growing High Yielding Varieties of Rice
o Total Energy Ration: the ratio of input energy to output energy (in kJ)
§ = Total Energy Input (kJ/ha)/Total Energy Output (kJ/ha)
§ Industrial Farm:
· Total Energy Inputs = {[(hours of human labor) x (energy of labor)]/(ha)}+ {[(energy required to make fertilizers) x (amount of fertilizers used)]/(ha)}
§ Organic Farm:
· Total Energy Inputs = {[(hours of human labor) x (energy of labor)]/(ha)} + {[(hours required to make compost) x (energy of labor)]/(ha)}
o Variables
§ Inputs: fertilizers (synthetic and non-synthetic), human labor
§ Outputs: crop yields
o Surveying:
§ Gathering yearly data of small scale farmers on hours of labor, amounts of fertilizer used, and crop yields.
§ Over 3 growing seasons
- Testing the Data
o With the help of my wonderful friend:
§ Testing Total Energy Ratio data for normal distribution using K-S test (for both Industrial and Organic farms)
§ Comparing Total Energy Ratios using a T-Test
§ Comparing Human Labor Inputs (HR/HA)
§ Comparing total Energy Inputs (kJ/ha)
· Total energy input for industrial farms is almost double that of organic, due to the large amounts of energy required for the production of synthetic fertilizers
§ Human Labor Inputs vs. Rice Energy Yield
§ Total Energy Inputs vs. Rice Energy Yield
Conclusion
- organic farms require more human labor
- The average Total Energy Ratio of industrial farms is 1.22 (a ratio of greater than 1 denotes more energy input than output)
- From an energy standpoint, it does not make sense to use synthetic fertilizers. Fertilizers also deplete soil quality, meaning greater amounts are required each consecutive year, and the soil quality will continue to decline causing soil erosion and eventually desertification
- Human energy is more efficient and is also a renewable resource
- Governments should subsidize organic farming methods, not the use of synthetic fertilizers (which are currently heavily subsidized), to promote soil health and sustainable agricultural practices, which is, in the end, what will provide India with real Food Security.
