Can Organic Farming Develop Without Abandoning Its Ecology Principle? Case Study on Mineral Nutrient Management

The ecology principle in organic farming mandates replacing synthetic fertilizers with on-farm nutrient recycling and biological nitrogen fixation. This study surveys 63 organic farms across three French districts to assess their dependence on mineral inputs. Findings reveal that organic farms indirectly rely on synthetic fertilizers through imported manure (accounting for 23% of nitrogen and 73% of phosphorus inputs) and residual soil nutrients from pre-conversion legacy (representing 70% of phosphorus in organic products). These insights highlight tensions between organic farming expansion and ecological principles, while suggesting that diversifying agricultural production at the district scale could enhance nutrient recycling and reduce reliance on external mineral inputs.