Nature May 2012 PMID 22535250

Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture.

Verena Seufert, Navin Ramankutty, Jonathan A Foley

Mentions

129
Peak: 3 in Aug 2021
across 6 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

60,688
potential audience

Total likes

28

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1,959

Mentions per month

Jan 2019 – Jul 2025

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several discussions emphasize the consistency of the research, such as references to the Seufert et al. study, and reflect a keen interest in understanding the nuances of organic versus conventional yields, demonstrated through technical comments and citations. The tone ranges from analytical to supportive, reflecting both respect for scientific work and curiosity about its broader implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most posters acknowledge the study's findings that organic yields are comparable under certain conditions, showing general support.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions reflect high interest, especially with mention of specific studies, methodologies, and potential implications for food security.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts cite specific research and delve into factors affecting yields, indicating a moderate level of deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While the discussion highlights important scientific findings and debates, it remains at a general level with limited mention of policy or societal change.

Abstract in brief

  • Organic farming generally produces lower yields compared to conventional farming, with differences ranging from 5% to 34% depending on specific conditions and practices.
  • The yield gap is influenced by factors like soil type, crop type, management practices, and environmental conditions, meaning organic systems can sometimes nearly match conventional yields with good management.
  • To effectively promote organic agriculture as a sustainable solution, it's important to understand the factors limiting yields and consider the broader social, environmental, and economic benefits it offers.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Snyggbonde™
@snyggbonde · X

@KarinJo06571909 @magnus_vinqvist @wistikent @indigranstammen När det gäller att eko har lägre mullhalt: Erswan et al. Global land resources and population-supporting capacity. Seufert et al. Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture. Det är även värt att titta på Goulding et al. Can organic farming feed the world?

Feb 10, 2021 · 4 likes · 15,566 followers View post →
Tamar Haspel
@TamarHaspel · X

@HonestSeth Seth, this has been studied very extensively. The yield penalty is well-documented and is widely agreed upon. Of course *some* organic farmers do better than *some* conventional. That's the nature of bell curves. But you can't just anecdote this away. https://t.co/OMQk5QG6w1

Nov 2, 2022 · 3 likes · 23,398 followers View post →
はーくん
@hakukisai · X

参考文献 Seufert, V., Ramankutty, N., & Foley, J. A. (2012). Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture. Nature, 485(7397), 229–232. * DOI: https://t.co/mYW6B5IqRq 農林水産省. (各年版). 有機農業をめぐる事情(令和6年6月版): https://t.co/xTbEJOl2eR

Jul 8, 2025 · 3 likes · 211 followers View post →
JASánchezC
@jasanchezc · X

@JH_Porfirio @diaz_manuel No lo tienes y no compartiste nada. Aquí te dejo el dato para que lo busques y leas. "Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture" Seufert, V., N. Ramankutty, y J.A. Foley. No respondiste nada. Suma en lugar de restar, ten respeto por el trabajo de los demás.

Jan 30, 2019 · 1 like · 2,101 followers View post →
nic
@tensorbodega · X

@yeetgenstein By measuring change in crop yields, so far - in 2012 a few approximations estimated we could feed 9 billion people or so - but it’s been a decade, maybe it needs redoing https://t.co/xm1B7gQUCy The UN usually crunches a lot of numbers on it too https://t.co/RFoHqK3bdP

Aug 24, 2021 · 1 like · 1,799 followers View post →
Sergio Saia
@sergiosaia · X

@agronomistag it confirms the Seufert et al work, as expected Seufert, V., Ramankutty, N. & Foley, J. Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture. Nature 485, 229–232 (2012). https://t.co/sHxzN5Zufb

Dec 20, 2023 · 1 like · 1,209 followers View post →

All mentions

はーくん
@hakukisai · X

参考文献 Seufert, V., Ramankutty, N., & Foley, J. A. (2012). Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture. Nature, 485(7397), 229–232. * DOI: https://t.co/mYW6B5IqRq 農林水産省. (各年版). 有機農業をめぐる事情(令和6年6月版): https://t.co/xTbEJOl2eR

Jul 8, 2025 · 3 likes · 211 followers View post →
Castorsan
@LestonEric · X

@labiscotte1001 @tr_vink Production plus basse de 19% https://t.co/8yIPOfvq6e 20-25% https://t.co/JiUEnC9o3D Yen a d'autres mais c'est galère sur le téléphone. De toute façon c'est en rien un débat que l'un est plus performant que l'autre.

Aug 7, 2024 · 233 followers View post →
Samayu
@samayu_ngo · X

Comparing the Yields of Organic and Conventional Agriculture The study concludes that organic farming can achieve comparable yields to conventional methods {Link is shared in the comment section}. #onehealth #samayu #sustainablefarming #greenrevolution #sustainabilitynow https://t.co/JHXZ3EligC

Jan 18, 2024 · 35 followers View post →
Sergio Saia
@sergiosaia · X

@agronomistag it confirms the Seufert et al work, as expected Seufert, V., Ramankutty, N. & Foley, J. Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture. Nature 485, 229–232 (2012). https://t.co/sHxzN5Zufb

Dec 20, 2023 · 1 like · 1,209 followers View post →
Galen R Tromble
@climateyogi · X

@HowKeen @Climate__Clock https://t.co/NFQqbK8N72 https://t.co/lmh5Nmjqv3

Jan 17, 2023 · 410 followers View post →
Tamar Haspel
@TamarHaspel · X

@HonestSeth Seth, this has been studied very extensively. The yield penalty is well-documented and is widely agreed upon. Of course *some* organic farmers do better than *some* conventional. That's the nature of bell curves. But you can't just anecdote this away. https://t.co/OMQk5QG6w1

Nov 2, 2022 · 3 likes · 23,398 followers View post →
Giuseppe Palermo
@Giusepp73917135 · X

@Nicola_Bressi @Barbara22Mar Il tema è stato molto studiato, a partire da un importante articolo di Nature: https://t.co/1UZEhmiPmv (e si veda qui, in calce al sommario, molta bibliografia successiva).

Jun 5, 2022 · 1 like · 108 followers View post →
Massimo Castelli
@maxccastelli · X

@Federico_flow @FranFerrante Under certain conditions—that is, with good management practices, particular crop types and growing conditions—organic systems can thus nearly match conventional yields, whereas under others it at present cannot... https://t.co/sD9njthY4n

May 10, 2022 · 414 followers View post →
Steffen Schweizer
@GeoSchweizer · X

@PowlsonDavid Admist the multitude of factors globally, the yield gap is larger in developing countries (https://t.co/g0vYvHGnOQ) related with more variable crop performance and conditions - may hold potential to improve. Integrated fertilization also stays below the radar in such comparisons. https://t.co/cdBioGSuMy

Aug 28, 2021 · 2,446 followers View post →
nic
@tensorbodega · X

@yeetgenstein By measuring change in crop yields, so far - in 2012 a few approximations estimated we could feed 9 billion people or so - but it’s been a decade, maybe it needs redoing https://t.co/xm1B7gQUCy The UN usually crunches a lot of numbers on it too https://t.co/RFoHqK3bdP

Aug 24, 2021 · 1 like · 1,799 followers View post →
Reason
@ReasonMakes · X

@thalesnemo @TomBomb60347790 @brianerb @TheJackBly Found nothing from your blogspot source (you don't have something from a reputable publisher?) that supports your claim about land... We already grow enough crops to feed 10 billion people. https://t.co/nd9x8pKNmH https://t.co/cChFuEU6NC

May 14, 2021 · 739 followers View post →
Snyggbonde™
@snyggbonde · X

@KarinJo06571909 @magnus_vinqvist @wistikent @indigranstammen När det gäller att eko har lägre mullhalt: Erswan et al. Global land resources and population-supporting capacity. Seufert et al. Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture. Det är även värt att titta på Goulding et al. Can organic farming feed the world?

Feb 10, 2021 · 4 likes · 15,566 followers View post →
Hidde Boersma
@Hiddemhigh · X

@PieterseMarc @olivierhonnay En uiteindelijk moet je kijken naar overzichtsstudies, en die laten allemaal hetzelfde beeld zien. De opbrengst is lager. https://t.co/hxu2S2FyjD

May 8, 2020 · 7,473 followers View post →
Sebastian Lakner
@SebastianLakner · X

Verena Seufert, Navin Ramankutty & Jonathan A. Foley (2012): Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture https://t.co/9bNbCgMvr7

Apr 30, 2019 · 2,587 followers View post →
JASánchezC
@jasanchezc · X

@JH_Porfirio @diaz_manuel No lo tienes y no compartiste nada. Aquí te dejo el dato para que lo busques y leas. "Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture" Seufert, V., N. Ramankutty, y J.A. Foley. No respondiste nada. Suma en lugar de restar, ten respeto por el trabajo de los demás.

Jan 30, 2019 · 1 like · 2,101 followers View post →