Comparative study of organic and conventional farming practices on soil health and crop quality

Abstract:

Picture two neighboring vegetable plots near Bahir Dar, one managed organically for the past eight years and one under continuous conventional fertilizer and pesticide management, and the differences beneath the soil surface turn out to be considerably larger than what shows up in a single season's yield figures. This research compared twelve matched organic and conventional farm pairs, selected for similar soil type, crop rotation, and farm size, assessing soil health indicators, crop yield, and produce quality across one full cropping season. Organic farms recorded soil organic carbon averaging 0.78% against 0.52% under conventional management, alongside microbial biomass carbon 54% higher and earthworm counts more than double those recorded on conventional plots. Aggregate stability, a structural indicator linked to erosion resistance and water infiltration, was 33% higher under organic management. Conventional farms produced 18% higher raw yield on average, but this yield advantage narrowed to 6% once produce quality-adjusted value, accounting for organic price premiums and lower pesticide residue detection on organic produce, was factored into the comparison. These findings support organic management as delivering substantially better soil health outcomes at a modest cost in raw yield, a trade-off that shifts further in organic farming's favor once produce quality and market premium are considered, with direct relevance for farmers weighing long-term soil capital against short-term yield maximization.