The double-bind relationship between environment and organic agriculture. Organic farming as a solution for environmental problems and environment as an asset for the development of organic farming ?

Summary

This paper deals with two interconnected questions: How can organic farming (OF) cope with the increasing environmental issues? How can environmental issues be a cornerstone for the future development of organic agriculture? In this paper we propose to re-assess the doublebind relationship between organic agriculture and environmental issues. Our approach combines three elements: overview of related scientific literature, valuation of the concept of ecosystem services within a network of stakeholders, identification of some promising initiatives. Firstly we present a comprehensive view on the interrelationships between environment and organic farming: the concept of ecosystem services to agriculture is used to characterise both the services to agriculture (supporting and regulating services) and the services from agriculture (non marketed services). In a holistic approach we handle a wide range of environmental components: biodiversity, water supply and quality, soil fertility, climate change. Secondly we focus on innovations and case studies involving organic agriculture for improved environmental performances. This is based on empirical surveys of a range of actions concerning biodiversity conservation, water quality improvement, landscape management and preservation of soil fertility. Finally we conclude on related outlooks for the development of organic farming. This work was realised in the frame of the technological combined network called "Development of Organic Farming". This network includes in France, a wide range of partners involved in research, training and extension activities