Organic food has been a way of life for mankind since ages. In the course of time, the world population witnessed rapid increase and accordingly the demand for food also soared high, leading to rampant exploitation of soil and natural resources. As soil quality degraded, the world experienced long spells of famines and droughts, it gave rise to the need to develop and implement novel, environmentally sustainable methods to increase the yield manifold to meet the needs of people. All this promoted the cultivation of organic food.
Considerable interest in organic agriculture methods is growing due to the problem of increase in degraded lands where the present farming system has very low resources, essential for agricultural production. In addition to that, consumers also have a growing interest in organic agriculture.
There is growing awareness of the environmental costs of agriculture like the deteriorating quality of drinking water and soil as well as the impact of agriculture on landscape and wildlife.
Thus the resulting demand for organic products is creating the opportunity to sell organic products at premium prices.
WHAT IS ORGANIC FOOD?
Organic food is produced according to certain production standards. These standards may vary worldwide. In simple words, we can state that the organic produce is grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. In general, organic farming features practices those involve the right use of natural resources and promotion of ecological balance as well as conservation of biodiversity.
Organic food products are either grown under a natural system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers or they are processed from organically produced raw materials. Farming techniques used to grow organic foods are much cleaner and safer for the environment and for human health as well.
Nowadays organic foods are gaining popularity as people have become aware of their benefits. Organic foods do not contain any chemical pesticides and fertilizers and are grown naturally with the use of manure or compost and natural pesticides and insecticides.Organic fertilizers, as compared to those composed chemically for conventional crop growing practice, are derived from human and animal excreta, and manure of plants especially grown for the purpose of organic farming.
Any food offered for sale as ‘organic food’ in India needs to comply with the provisions laid down under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) administered by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Organically grown crops tend to use natural fertilizers like manure to improve plant growth. Besides this, organic farming tends to improve soil quality and the pave the way for the conservation of groundwater. It also reduces pollution and may be better for the environment.
Organic farming is a legally enforced method in several countries, introduced and regulated by the IFOAM or International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements. This is an umbrella organization for organic farming methods introduced in 1972.
- Can you cook well?
- Did you drink coffee this morning?
- Did you eat lunch today?
- Do you always eat dinner with your family?
- Do you always eat vegetables?
- Do you cook? If yes, what food do you cook the most often?
- Do you drink milk every day?
- Do you drink tea every day?
- Do you eat beef?
- Do you eat bread every day?
- Do you eat breakfast every day?
- Do you eat fruit every day?