The following was excerpted from the speech of a spokesperson for Synthetic Farm Products, Inc.: “Many farmers who invested in the equipment needed to make the switch from synthetic to organic fertilizers and pesticides feel that it would be too expensive to resume synthetic farming at this point. But studies of farmers who switched to organic farming last year indicate that their current crop yields are lower. Hence their purchase of organic farming equipment, a relatively minor investment compared to the losses that would result from continued lower crop yields, cannot justify persisting on an unwise course. And the choice to farm organically is financially unwise, given that it was motivated by environmental rather than economic concerns.”

The following was excerpted from the speech of a spokesperson for Synthetic Farm Products, Inc.:

“Many farmers who invested in the equipment needed to make the switch from synthetic to organic fertilizers and pesticides feel that it would be too expensive to resume synthetic farming at this point. But studies of farmers who switched to organic farming last year indicate that their current crop yields are lower. Hence their purchase of organic farming equipment, a relatively minor investment compared to the losses that would result from continued lower crop yields, cannot justify persisting on an unwise course. And the choice to farm organically is financially unwise, given that it was motivated by environmental rather than economic concerns.”

Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. In your discussion be sure to analyze the line of reasoning and the use of evidence in the argument. For example, you may need to consider what questionable assumptions underlie the thinking and what alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion. You can also discuss what sort of evidence would strengthen or refute the argument, what changes in the argument would make it more logically sound, and what, if anything, would help you better evaluate its conclusion.

The argument is largely based on the premise that the costs of continuing with synthetic farming are greater than the costs of switching to organic farming, and that those who invested in organic farming equipment are buying something they cannot hope to recoup in lower yields. However, there are several factors that may weigh against this assumption, which the presenter fails to take into account. First, there is a flaw in the logic concerning the supposed cost of organic farming. Organic farming, unlike synthetic farming, is not a field for a specific product, such as fertilizer or pesticide, but for an agricultural system in general. Organic farming can be conducted on a relatively small scale, such as for backyard gardens, or on a vast scale, such as the agricultural system of France, where the large farms produce enough fertilizers and pesticides for 80% of the country. Either way, operating costs are lower, and synthetic farming costs are less per unit of production. Second, even if the higher cost of organic production were taken into account, the presenter has neglected to consider that switching to organic farming may yield greater yields in the long term due to increased soil fertility. Organic farming relies on natural fertilizers and pesticides, such as manure and compost, and these substances are absorbed into the soil, improving the fertility of the soil over time. Because the organic matter is large and stable, it can slowly break down and replenish the soil’s nutrients, thereby limiting the need to constantly add synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Finally, the presenter incorrectly assumes that those who invested in organic farming equipment last year did so out of environmental concerns rather than economic, financial, or social benefits. In fact, there are many farmers who switched to organic farming out of a desire to relieve themselves of the financial burdens of synthetic farming. Most farmers receive a substantial subsidy for producing crops, and when the price of these subsidies is lowered, many farmers begin looking for new ways to increase their crop yields. Organic farming provides a way to release themselves from this tight economic cycle. The greater their yields, the more money they earn, which allows them to purchase more machinery and fertilizer, and allows them to remain in business. Even if farmer A’s yields this year are 20% lower than they were last year, they will still be earning more in profit than if they continued farming with synthetic fertilizer and pesticides

Therefore, the presenter’s assumption that the cost of switching to organic farming is greater than the cost of continuing with synthetic farming does not take into account any of the numerous reasons farmers may opt for organic farming. Organic farming is a viable alternative to synthetic farming for producing crops, and it is likely that farmers will continue to switch to organic farming in order to break the economic cycle of artificial farming.