Organic farming between professionalisation and conventionalisation - The need for a more discerning view of farmer practices

Summary

The recent changes in organic farming practices (e.g. larger farms, simplification of crop rotations, organic farms without animal husbandry) are sometimes seen as a first indication of conventionalisation of on-farm practices. Although conventionalisation is possible, changes in organic farming also need to be seen from an evolutionary perspective: change is necessary to adapt to a changing environment. It might thus be useful to take a closer look at the changes taking place, distinguishing between first order changes, i.e. changes that do not undermine organic farming’s principles (e.g. professionalisation) and second order changes, i.e. changes that may lead organic farming onto the same development trajectory as conventional farming.