What does organic farming mean for green growth?

Organic agriculture is an approach to food production that seeks to develop environmental and economically sustainable production systems with a strong emphasis on the use of local, renewable resources and minimum use of external inputs. Since the 1970s, a global market has developed for organic products, and legally enforced production standards have been introduced to benefit producers and consumers. Over the last two decades, organic farming has become one of the most thriving segments of the agricultural sector in several OECD countries. This chapter discusses the various policy approaches used by OECD countries to support organic farming, and the potential impacts of organic farming on resource efficiency and productivity.