New Scientist is carrying a report on a study that suggests if the whole world were to switch to organic production them we could still feed the world. I'm sceptical and I think it would put society in a far more vulnerable position as the effects of disease would be felt far more keenly. But here's the link for those that are interested:

http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn12245-organic-farming-could-feed-the-world.html

Very sceptical, this farming they advocate is not really organic its just a return to the correct system and varieties for those third  world countries. It clearly states that production in developed countries would fall by at least 8%, in my opinion it would be nearer 60% after 5 years organic nutrient depletion. Its bad science asking the wrong question the wrong way. What is needed is a proper price for third world subsistence farmers so they are not forced off the land into cities to live on Western food aid.

Absolute rubbish, the report is about as accurate as the one on badgers costing £50,000,000.

sorry bill, i have to disagree, it quite clearly states:

crop yields on organic plots in the experiment were on average 20 per cent lower than those on conventional plots

Not all crops did equally well. Potato yields on organic plots were only 60 per cent of those on conventional plots.

More predictably perhaps, organic plots contained up to 10 times as many weed species as conventional plots sprayed with herbicides

"But of course a 20 per cent yield reduction in a country like India would have fatal consequences."