本文針對美國及歐美國家所實行的持久性農業(有機農業)之過去及現況做一檢討。歐美之農業由於實行慣行現代化農業太久而被犧牲。慣行農業帶來肥料價格之高漲,土質之劣變,繼續不斷的環境污染及害蟲對農業抵抗性之增加等而導至不良影響。根據美國農部之報告,唯一能解決此問題的方法是實施有機農法。本文對歐美政府實施有機農業之政策及有關法令及模式,有機農場之設立及由慣行農業轉換為有機農業過程中所受阻礙,及正面影響等,由技術面,經濟面及社會面的觀點加以檢討。根據歐美國家的經驗,台灣今後如何進行有機農業之研究亦曾加以討論。
In this article the author made a general discussion on the development and current situation of sustainable agriculture (organic farming) in the United States of America and the European contries. The long period of conventional modern farming system has greatly devastated the agricultural environments in the above countries. The prices of the chemical fertilizers has gone up, the endless environmental pllution from many different sources has caused the degradation of the soils, and the resistance of insects to pesticides is developing continuously. According to the report of USDA, organic farming is the only way that can help us to overcome the above problems. The author also made an overall introduction to the setting of gricultural policies, and some regulations or laws for organic agriculture. Some difficulties in the establishment of organic farms or the conversion of conventional modern farm to organic farm, and their positive and negative effects were disscussed based on the technical, economical, and sociological points of view respectively. With the reference of the experiences of the western countries, the author also made some suggestions for the coming research work of organic agriculture in Taiwan.