Here is a quick comparision of organic cotton farming versus conventional cotton farming:SeedsIn traditional farming, the seeds can be genetically modified (GMO) and/or treated with fungicides. Both of these processes are controversial and may be harmful to people and the environment. In organic farming, the seeds cannot be genetically modified and are not pretreated with fungicides. SoilFarmers typically grow cotton using massive amounts of fertilizers in the soil. This is necessary because modern farming practices quickly remove all the plant nutrients from the soil. The use of fertilizers results in run-off from fields that causes changes and damage to the local water ways. This, in turn, affects the amphibian and fish populations and the water quality for people as well.On organic farms, soils are kept nutrient-rich with crop rotation. Fields are left to rest in some years so that the soil can replenish itself or different crops are planted in different years so that the soil does not become nutrient depleted. WateringConventional cotton farming relies on extensive irrigation, which can damage the soil quality and deplete our limited water supply. Over-irrigation waters all the weeds, as well as the crop plant. Then the overgrown weeds must be treated with herbicides to keep them from competing with the crop plants for soil nutrients and water.Organic farms irrigate more judiciously which saves water, reduces runoff and reduces weed growth. Pest ControlMassive cotton fields, one next to the other, are very attractive to bugs and pests that damage the plants and reduce the harvest. Typically, farms rely on the use of pesticides to keep crop damage from pests under control. Pesticides not only kill pests, they destroy the beneficial microorganisms in the soil which replenish the nutrients in the soil. Pesticides also kill any beneficial insects as well as the ones that damage the crop.On organic farms, unwanted bugs are controlled in several ways. Native beneficial insects (such as spiders or wasps) are used to control the number of pests. Another technique is to plant cotton fields interspersed with other flower or plants fields which the bugs like better (called a trap crop). This means the pests will eat the other nearby plants and leave the cotton alone. Bugs and pests can also be removed by hand. Weed ControlOn conventional farms, guess how weeds are controlled? More chemicals, called herbicides, are used to control weeds on typical farms.
In organic cotton fields, weeds are removed the good old-fashioned way – by hand. HarvestingCotton is conventionally harvested by treating the crop with chemicals to make the leaves drop off the plants. Then a machine can drive through the field and “pick” the cotton heads off the plants.Organic cotton is defoliated without chemicals. Instead farms rely on the natural changes of weather and seasons to cue the plants to drop their leaves. Then the cotton can be hand picked.
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