Conversion to organic farming may promote growth and development of rural areas.

Nature conservation, more life in rural areas and more organic products may easily go hand in hand with promoting rural development. How best to achieve that is described by Head of Research Unit Tommy Dalgaard from the Department of Agroecology and Environment at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (DJF), University of Aarhus. The faculty is involved in several research projects with the aim of investigating the roles that the agriculture and food production sectors play in rural development.

- One of the barriers to converting to organic farming from conventional farming is lack of land at farm level for the spreading of manure. However, there is actually land enough available for conversion for a five to ten-fold increase in organic dairy production, explains Tommy Dalgaard.

- Conversion to organic farming can also favourably combine with fulfilling the aims for designated natural and environmental values in the open countryside. Via mapping the distribution of organic farming in Denmark, it can be seen that the areas with a higher concentration of organic farming are generally those with a marked need for rural development, he says.

Even though organic farming typically shows a lower yield per area compared to conventional farming, the value of organic products is typically higher. Organic production often requires more local manpower per produced unit. Both of these factors can contribute to increased local economic activity and employment. Besides that, organic production is normally less harsh on nature and the environment.

Conversion to organic farming is not the only way to liven up the rural districts. Imagination and innovation almost run rampant with regard to thinking up new avenues of producing income for the farm. While the number of farms is steadily decreasing, the number of contractors, riding stables, artisans, farm vacations, farm shops and so on is increasing just as steadily.

In 2005 these alternative activities made up approximately 10 percent of the total agricultural economy and the scientists expect the turnover to double before 2015. Organic farming has special opportunities that can contribute to this development.

A knowledge synthesis, financed by the Directorate for Food, Fisheries and Agri Business and prepared by the Danish Research Centre for Organic Food and Farming, throws light on the opportunities for renewed growth in the Danish organic sector. This can be seen (in Danish) at http://www.foejo.dk/arrang/vs_ecowiki.html .

The effects of agriculture’s contribution to rural development in the form of economic activity, employment and natural and environmental values are described in a series of new research projects. The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences is participating in three of the projects. Read more about the projects (in Danish) at: http://www.dffe.dk/Default.aspx?ID=33271 .

For further information please contact: Head of Research Unit Tommy Dalgaard, Department of Agroecology and Environment, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, telephone 8999 1732, e-mail: tommy.dalgaard@agrsci.dk