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Cropland Yield

Research is needed to determine the suitability of organic production for various regions of the world, particularly with regard to the impact of organic systems on yield and yield security during years of extreme climatic conditions. All agricultural production systems, organic included, must devise strategies to enhance yields to meet increased demand for food.

Organic farmers want to understand how to optimize yields in highly diverse, mixed crop, and livestock systems. They need information on high-yielding varieties suitable for organic systems. Assessments that better calculate yields in systems with multi-year long-term rotations and that are calibrated to food security needs rather than marketing orders and other artificial dictates of food aesthetics must be undertaken. Farmers are seeking information about rotation strategies that best boost yields.

Unlike conventional agriculture, research on organic agriculture does not mainly focus on yields. Most of the current research is studying the impacts of high-yield systems on the environment and community.

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