Organic V Intensive Farming

Intensive farming involves any of the following:

1. Using pesticides to clear animal pests or weeds

2. Raising animals in confined spaces e.g. battery hens

3. Using inorganic fertilisers to boost crops.

Organic farming encourages farmers to use only natural fertilisers (e.g. manure), to use 'safe and natural' pest control (e.g. introducing natural predators for pests such as ladybirds for aphids) and also encourages the use of free-range methods of keeping animals (think happy chickens running around a field rather than cooped up in a barn). The main benefit to intensive farming is the lower cost. Organic produce tends to be seen as the more ethical approach to making our food.

The video below explains the different types of agricultural activity.