live and let live healthy with organic food

ORGANIC FOOD

Now a days, Organic Food has become incredibly popular. The growing demand for chemical-free agro proves that people has been becoming more and more health conscious.

According to the Oxford dictionaries, the word ‘organic’, with respect to food or farming methods, refer to ‘produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial chemicals.’

Slowly but steadily people all over the world are realizing the harm of pesticide-laden food and are turning to organic food.

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements says, ‘Organic Agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soil, ecosystems, and people. It relies on ecological process, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, return than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of little for all involved.’

Benefits of Organic Food:

1. Products contain fewer pesticides. Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides are widely used in CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE and resides remain on and in the food we eat.
2. Organic Food is fresher as it doesn’t contain preservatives. These foods often sold nearby market.
3. It is very good for the environment. It reduces pollution, conserves water, reduces soil erosion, increase soil fertility, and use less energy. This process is also good for nearby birds and animals as well as human who live close to the farm.
4. Organically raised animals also not given antibiotics, growth hormones, or fed animal byproducts. So they become healthy.
5. Organic meat and milk are richer in certain nutrients. Results of a European study in 2016, shows that levels of certain nutrients, including OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDES, were up to 50% higher in Organic meat and milk than in conventionally raised versions.
6. Organic Food is GMO-FREE. ( genetically modified organisms), or GE(genetically engineered) foods are plants whose DNA has been altered in ways that cannot occur in nature or in traditional cross breeding

In India, many farms are shifting to Organic farming due to the domestic and international demand for Organic Food. According to the IFAD (International Fund For Agriculture and Development), about 2.5 million hectors of land was under Organic Farming in India, in 2004, far than there are over 15000 certified Organic Farms in India. India is one of the most important suppliers of Organic Food to the developed nations.

COST ISSUES:  Organic Foods are often more expensive than conventionally grown foods. But if you set some priorities, it may be possible to purchase Organic and stay within your budget.

1. Shop at farmer’s markets.
2. Join a food co-operative.
3. Join a community supported agriculture farm.
4. Buy in season.
5. Shop around, compare prices.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT’S ORGANIC?

1. Check if the product is stamped by ECOCERT or USDA(US Department of Agriculture) or any of the organizations listed under APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority).
2. Else, one can go by word of mouth. Since getting certified is expensive…. It runs into lakhs depending on the size of the land on which the crops are grown and involves tedious documentation, not many farmers can afford it or are literate enough. But certification is a must if one wants to market the products.
3. Check PLU(price look up) codes, the 4 or 5 digit numbers on produce stickers that have been used by supermarkets since 10990.the PLU number indicates produce item based on a number of factors such as commodity, variety, growing methodology, and size.

Live and let live with Organic.