The greener revolution? : the impact of organic farming on accelerated soil erosion in Malta

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship of organic and conventional farming and their resultant effect on the rate of soil erosion in Malta. Accelerated soil erosion is a threat particularly for agricultural land since it lowers the productivity which leads to lower yields. In marginal land with arid, semiarid and subhumid conditions the threat is even greater since in conjunction with other processes such as salinizution it results in desertification, a form of land degradation. Soil erosion is a major problem throughout the whole Maltese countryside and is on the increase due to a number of human activities. According to the Codex Alimentarius, organic farming involves holistic production management systems (for crops and livestock) emphasizing the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs. This is accomplished by using, where possible, cultural, biological and mechanical methods in preference to synthetic materials. Recently, the Maltese Islands have witnessed a growth in organic farming. By comparing four conventional fields and four organic fields the amount of soil lost throughout the winter of 2004-2005 was measured by installing sediment traps and its particle size distribution analysed. The soil organic content was measured as an indicator of erosion, since a high organic content increases the binding properties of soil. The results indicated that good agricultural practices reduce the amount of soil lost irrespectively of the type of management, however organic agricultural practices better control accelerated soil erosion.