Drought tolerance critical, say DuPont and Monsanto. We couldn’t agree more.

by Amanda Kimble-Evans

Good news DuPont and Monsanto: Organic production is the answer you’ve been looking for!

The Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial has been tracking the performance of organically managed fields and conventionally managed fields for the last 30 years. The yield results dispute the oft-cited misconception that organic farming uses more resources to produce less food. And, the resilience of the organically-managed fields in drought years is incredible.

In four out of five drought years the organic corn significantly out-yielded conventional. By how much? Well, Monsanto heralded the field trial success of their drought tolerant corn last year as “one of our most significant R&D milestones” with yields between 6.7% and 13.4% higher than other corn varieties under drought conditions. Dupont touts their hybridswhich deliver a 5% yield advantage on average.

The Rodale Institute’s organically managed corn yielded between 28.4% and 33.7% higher than non-modified conventionally managed corn under drought conditions.

“Drought tolerance takes more than just tolerant corn varieties,” says Alison Grantham, interim director of research at the Rodale Institute. “It takes robust, diversified system management to buffer against climate extremes like drought as well as heavy rains. Organic management techniques improve the soil’s ability to absorb and hold water which provides more reliable drought insurance than a single variety of corn grown in sand ever will.”
 
No need to invest millions in researching and developing genetically modified corn that, while slightly more productive during drought conditions, fails in seasons with favorable weather. No need to fire up the engines on the PR machines to convince the general public GMOs will save the world, protect the environment and do our dishes and laundry, too. Oh, and farmers, this organic technology is free—no purchase of miracle seeds or accompanying sprays required.

Take Action: Organic receives just sliver of federally funded research dollars. Become a Rodale Institute member and make sure we can continue the Farming Systems Trial and other projects like it.