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Why are organic crop yields often lower than conventional crop yields?

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A row of cattle with brown and black coats eat feed from a long trough in a South African feedlot, separated by wooden fencing. — Feed Feedlot cattle eating grain in an intensive animal farm in South Africa.

Organic crop yields are generally about 25 percent lower than those of conventionally grown crops. This difference is primarily due to the distinct methods used to manage soil fertility and pest control.1

In conventional agriculture, synthetic fertilizers provide nutrients in a mineralized form that plants can absorb immediately. In contrast, organic farming relies on organic matter like manure and compost. These nutrients are typically in an unmineralized state, requiring soil microbes to break them down into a bioavailable form before plants can utilize them.1

Additionally, organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides and genetically engineered plants, which are often employed in conventional systems to maximize production and minimize losses to pests and diseases. While organic farmers utilize biological control, crop rotation, and naturally derived pesticides, these methods must balance the goal of maintaining environmental sustainability with the challenge of achieving high yields.12