What are organic foods?

Organic foods are items that are produced, processed and packaged without using chemicals. This includes vegetables, fruits, milk, meat and products like cotton. On an overall basis organic food is food growing, prepared and processed without using any chemicals that is organic food production does not involve the use of chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides, chemical preservatives.

In 1939, Lord Northbourne coined the term organic farming in his book Look to the Land (1940), out of his conception of “the farm as organism,” to describe a holistic, ecologically balanced approach to farming—in contrast to what he called chemical farming, which relied on “imported fertility” and “cannot be self-sufficient nor an organic whole.

Early soil scientists also described the differences in soil composition when animal manures were used as “organic”, because they contain carbon compounds where superphosphates and harbor process nitrogen do not. Ideas that organic food could be healthier and better for the environment originated in the early days of the organic movement as a result of publications like the 1943 book, The Living Soil. Gardening and Farming for Health or Disease.

 Organic farming does not mean that it follows hundred years of old methods of farming. They combine modern scientific knowledge as well as traditional method for farming purpose.

Organic farming means it is for both plants and animals (live stock)

Why do people prefer Organic foods?

At the present people prefer organic foods for the following reasons:

Organic food helps protect future generations : 

The average child is exposed to carcinogenic pesticides in food more than four times the level as compared to an adult’s tolerance limits. Switching to chemical free organic food is a step taken towards preserving the health of the children and also of future generations to come

Organic food is free of artificial additives :

Organic food contains no toxins or preservatives which are believed to be responsible for heart diseases, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity. Use of antibiotics, anti-microbial, hormones and other growth promoters are prohibited in organic production. Similarly use of synthetic chemicals as preservatives & coloring are prohibited in the processing of organic foods.

Chemical residues are either non-existent or are at very low levels in organically produced food :

Studies have indicated that most conventionally farmed foods have pesticide and other chemical residues. Over 400 chemicals are routinely used in conventional farming and research shows that 60% of herbicides, 30% of insecticides and 90% of fungicides are known to cause cancer. These chemicals can also lead to nervous and endocrinal problems. Organic growers do not use toxic and artificial chemicals so you can rest assured that your food is chemical free.

Organic food has lower nitrate levels :

Use of soluble chemical fertilizers has resulted in high nitrate concentration in conventionally farmed food. Not only are these nitrates carcinogenic, they have even been known to impair the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. The nitrate content of organically grown food is significantly lower than the conventionally grown produce.

Organic food is not irradiated :

Many food products, especially those that are to be sent long distance, are irradiated to kill microbes. Irradiation is believed to cause changes even at the molecular level. Organic foods are not permitted to be irradiated and are completely natural.

Organic food has high levels of nutrients :

Even though many studies suggest that there is not much difference in nutrient quantity of organic and nonorganic foods still the organic food is safer and seem to have more vitamin, mineral and nutrient content. Organic advocates claim organically grown foods are nutritionally superior because such foods contain higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. On the other hand, the mainstream scientific community disputes these claims, arguing instead that nutritional differences do not exist. “Plants can’t tell the difference between organic and chemical fertilizers” is an oft quoted statement in support of this latter viewpoint.

An examination of the literature revealed that quite a few studies have been published on this topic. A selection of references is listed in the further reading sections below. In short, the data on nutritional quality of organic produce in comparison to conventional produce are inconclusive. Some research reports point to statistical differences, while other studies do not.

There is enough cumulative evidence to indicate—to those who wish to be convinced—that organic foods have a variety of qualities that should over the long term make them more healthful—including lower levels of pesticide residue, lower levels of nitrate-nitrogen, greater density, better flavor if they are properly handled, etc. But the available studies are conflicting enough to convince anyone who isn’t a fan of organic, that any differences that can be demonstrated are not worth writing home about, and are certainly not a reason to promote organic food.

To the quality and health conscious, Organic food has a very strong case even if it is slightly more expensive, as they know that the best does come at some extra cost. In summary, Organic food is a sincere attempt to improve the quality of life through the food we eat; and, this is where the benefits of Organic lifestyle outweigh the costs

What is banned and what is allowed in organic industry?

Which chemicals are banned while growing organic product?

1. Manufactured fertilizers
2. Herbicides, pesticides and fungicides
3. Synthetic plant growth regulators (hormones)
4. Genetically modified organisms and human sludge etc.

What is allowed ?

1.Crop rotation
2.Green manure
3.Compost
4.Biological pest control

What is the advantage of consuming Organic foods?

No Chemicals In Your Daily Diet : Pesticides are chemicals designed to kill living organisms and are harmful for humans. Organic farming makes sure you have no chemicals in your daily diet.

Tastes Great : Well-balanced soil grows strong and healthy crops that are wholesome and contain the required nutrient in the right proportions. Hence they taste great and are more nutritious.

Reduce Health Risks : Research has linked many approved pesticides with cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is the only way to keep them from getting into our body thus reducing health risks.

Our Tomorrow Our Children : Children are four times more susceptible than adults to cancer causing pesticides in food. Give them a wholesome life with organic.

Stringent Standards : Our products are organically certified, which means they come with an assurance that the products have been manufactured without the use of toxins and chemicals and are superior to other products.

Protect The Earth:  We lose billions of tons of topsoil due to conventional agricultural practices. Organic farming brings back the health of the soil.

Prevent Water Contamination: Pesticides and chemo-synthetic fertilizers used in conventional farming are estimated to pollute the primary sources of drinking water to 60-70% of the country’s population. Organic farming prevents water contamination.

Preserve Diversity : Loss of large variety of species (biodiversity) is a result of one crop being produced on the same soil year after year. Organic farming counteracts the loss

Help The Small Farmers : Organic farming can be a lifeline for small farmers because it offers an alternative market where he can get a fair price.

Stay In Harmony With Nature : Organic practices respect the need for healthy eco-system; including forage crops, retaining fence- rows, wetlands and other natural areas, encourages wild life.

Why grow organic?

The concept of growing organic food is based on “Healthy soils equals healthy food equals healthy people” Converting a land to organic status takes minimum 3 years.

Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.

Organic farming is sustainable – this means food can be produced indefinitely, without causing irreversible damage to ecosystem health. Two key issues are biophysical (the long-term effects of various practices on soil properties and processes essential for crop productivity) and socio-economic (the long-term ability of farmers to obtain inputs and manage resources such as labor).

Chemical cultivation methods, pesticide residues from crop spraying, the presence of veterinary drugs in meat products, and the entirely unknown impact of genetically modified varieties of grains make inorganically grown food grains unsafe in the long run.

Organic food is more nutritious. Increased soil quality, greater attention to quality, and selection of crop varieties for nutrition and taste instead of size, appearance, and shipping characteristics are reasons for higher nutrient density of organic foods.

Every food purchase supports the system that delivers it, and if large-scale chemical production methods are damaging to the environment, then purchasing these foods supports this damage. A main goal of organic farming is minimizing impact to the environment.

Sustainability

‘Conventional’ or un-organic farming is unsustainable, because it relies on artificial inputs (synthetic fertilizers and other chemicals, machinery, etc.) that ultimately requires energy in the form of fossil fuels. Also the land is degraded through soil erosion, salinization, and other processes that eventually become infertile.
Without cheap fossil fuels and government subsidies, conventional agriculture would not be possible, and that despite technological advancements, and eventually this leads to an agricultural crisis as a result of depleted soil. This is precisely what has happened in Anantapur district.
The cultivation of monocultures, many acres planted with the same crop year after year, increases susceptibility to pests and diseases and depletes the soil, while eliminating most native flora and fauna.
In contrast, organic farming often utilizes intercropping, crop rotation, fallow periods, and integrated pest management to promote biodiversity and preserve the health of the soil while minimizing the risk of diseases.

Pollution

Modern agricultural practices often result in large amounts of nitrogen runoff from the heavy use of fertilizer, which pollutes watersheds. In addition to posing a threat to human health and disrupting aquatic ecosystems, this sometimes results in algal blooms which deplete the water of oxygen resulting in fish kills. Pesticide runoff also causes many problems.

Organic facts

1. The average non organic fruit contains more than 20 pesticides.
2. Organic food is richer in vitamins, minerals and fibre and retains the levels of nutrients for much longer.
3. Your body will be more resistant to disease as it will have higher levels of the essential nutrients it needs to fight off infection.
4. You will have more energy through consuming lower levels of toxins and chemicals that slow your body down.
5. Organic food producers must meet stringent standards.
6. Organic farms respect our water resources and do not leach nitrogens and other pollutants from their soil.
7. Organic food just tastes so much better.

Why Organic food costs more?

Organic food production is generally labor intensive and involves usage of fertilizers, pesticides and preservatives that are all organic which are expensive than chemical based fertilizers and pesticides. This is one reason that tells us why organic food costs more. Other facts are organic crop yield -which is usually less and farmers want to compensate for the loss of fertilizers subsidy benefit that is available for nonorganic farmers. Organic farming also need certification for the yield and food from certifying agency that costs the farmers.
If you have a small garden you can grow your organic vegetables without much of cost.