Despite the crippling effects of the recent economic slowdown on many industries, the organic agriculture sector not only sustained itself during this period, but also showed signs of growth."In 2009, organic farming was practiced on 90.4 million hectares (90.4 million acres) worldwide, a 5.7 percent increase from 2008 and 150 percent increase since 2000," said E.L. Beck of Worldwatch Institute.