Cost of Conventional and Sustainable Farms
It seems simple at first to assume genetically modified crops are more cost-effective due to less labor required for production and potentially higher yields. However, studies are challenging this assumption. In a two year study comparing cash incomes between sustainable farms and conventional farms, Steven L. Kraten of Washington State University shows how six organic, sustainable farms are more cost effective than modern industrial farms. Conventional farms cost more in fuel, machinery, maintenance, seed, fertilizer and pesticide than that of sustainable farms using organic materials (Kraten 1979). This study shows the net return for a sustainable farm is 22.4 percent higher than that of its conventional counterpart (Kraten 1979).
More research is needed to definitively answer the questions of cost and effectiveness in organic, sustainable farms. Due to its small sample size, this study demonstrates the necessity for more research in this area.
The data that follows serves as an illustration of Kraten's work.
More research is needed to definitively answer the questions of cost and effectiveness in organic, sustainable farms. Due to its small sample size, this study demonstrates the necessity for more research in this area.
The data that follows serves as an illustration of Kraten's work.
Two year study by Steven L. Kraten shows cash income greater for sustainable farmers (Kraten 1979).