1

IMPORTANCE OF ORGANIC FOOD

PRESNTED BY:SHUBHAM M. RAIPURE PGDMA 1625

2

What is Organic ?

Organic: The term organic refers to an ecological method of agricultural production that respects the natural environment. Organics focuses on enhancing the health and vitality of the soil, preserving biodiversity, promoting animal welfare and preserving the ecological integrity of our environment.

NO USE OF :

• Artificial fertilizers• Synthetic pesticides• GMO• Growth regulators• Artificial feed additives• Antibiotics on animals

3

What is Organic Food ?

Organic food is a product of a farming system that uses natural and regenerative processes:

crop rotation; animal and plant manuring; mechanical weeding; biological pest control.

Organic Food are the items that are produced, processed and packagedwithout using chemicals including items such as vegetables, fruits, milk,meat.Organic animal feed and welfare standards are important.

4

Why Organic ?

The mission of agriculture is not only to produce enough food, but also to take account the effect to the; Environment Human health Animal welfare Social and regional development Biodiversity Soil and water health Ecosystem Agriculture diversity

5

Effect of Pesticides

Pesticide exposure can cause a range of neurological health effects such as memory loss, • loss of coordination, • reduced speed of response to stimuli, • reduced visual ability, • altered or uncontrollable mood and general behavior. Other possible health effects include;• Asthma,• Allergies, • Hypersensitivity,• Cancer,• Hormone disruption, • Male Infertility,• Problems with reproduction and fetal development.

6

Human Harms….!!!

The Food Quality Protection Act (1996) recognizes that many pesticides present unacceptably high health risks, particularly to infants and children.

From DDT to dursban, the EPA has removed scores of pesticides from the food supply precisely because they were not safe to eat.

High nitrate content in food and drinking water can be converted to nitrosamines that are carcinogens. Nitrates can impair the ability of the blood to carry oxygen, and may pose a risk of methemoglobinemia.

7

Problems of Intensive Farming

• Pesticide residues in products, soil, water;• Fertilizers (eutrophication);• Loss of biodiversity- kills both harmful and beneficial

organisms, destroys habitations of species;• Degradation of soils (erosion);• Landscape changes.

8

Benefits of Organic food over Conventionally grown food

A scientific study published in the Journal of Applied Nutrition in 1993 by USDA clearly showed that organic food is more nutritious than conventional food. Organically and conventionally grown apples, potatoes, pears, wheat, and sweet corn were purchased in the western suburbs of Chicago, over two years, and analyzed for mineral content. The organically grown food averaged 63% higher in calcium, 73% higher in iron, 118% higher in magnesium, 178% higher in molybdenum, 91% higher in phosphorus, 125% higher in potassium and 60% higher in zinc. The organic food averaged 29% lower in mercury than the conventionally raised food.The nitrate content of organically grown crops is usually significantly lower than in conventionally grown products. Organically grown corn, strawberries and Marion berries have significantly higher levels of cancer fighting antioxidants than conventionally grown foods.

9