What makes farming organic?

Answer: Avoiding synthetic chemicals

Producing higher crop yields — Wrong. Organic farming typically yields 10-25% less than conventional farming because it avoids high-efficiency synthetic inputs. Farmers choose organic for environmental reasons, not higher yields.

Using cheaper farming methods — Wrong. Organic farming is usually more expensive—requires more labor, more land, and certification costs. Organic products command higher prices to compensate.

Avoiding synthetic chemicals ✓ — Correct! Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, using natural alternatives like compost, crop rotation, and beneficial insects. The goals are environmental health and producing food without synthetic chemicals.