Organic Agriculture

With global revenue surpassing twenty-five billion dollars annually, organic agriculture is a highly visible and rapidly growing component of agricultural production. In Organic Agriculture: A Global Perspective, Paul Kristiansen, Acram Taji, and John Reganold, and their international group of contributors scientifically review key aspects of organic agriculture. At the intersection of research, education, and practice, the contributors look at the organic agricultural movement's successes and limitations. The first half of this book critically evaluates the agricultural production of both plants and livestock in organic farming systems. All major aspects of organic agriculture are explored, including historical background and underlying principles, soil-fertility management, crop and animal production, breeding strategies, and crop protection. This global and comprehensive overview also addresses the economic, social, and political aspects of organic farming. These include economics and marketing; standards and certification; environmental impacts and social responsibility; and research, education, and extension.

"Organic Agriculture: A Global Perspective will undoubtedly be a valuable asset for undergraduate students, providing an important text on the world of organic agriculture, its issues, opportunities and challenges, particularly the organic production section, which agriculture students will find useful. Postgraduate students will benefit using this volume as an entry point into the world of organics and the issues raised will make worthy reading for policy makers."—Samanatha Neal and Brendon Radford, Agriculture and Human Values, January 2008

Paul Kristiansen teaches agricultural systems at the University of New England (Australia). Acram Taji teaches plant sciences at the University of New England (Australia). She is the author or editor of eight books. John Reganold is Regents Professor of Soil Science at Washington State University.