
The word ‘organic; describes how agricultural produce is farmed and processed. If organic farming is underway then it means that farmers practice farming in a way that encourages soil and water conservation and reduces pollution. There is no synthetic use of fertilizers and pesticides. Mostly organic food production is self regulated but there are countries that have set standards for organic foods including India.
Difference in organic and Inorganic Produce
S. No. | Organic | Inorganic |
---|---|---|
1. | Use of natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants. | Use of chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth |
2. | Use insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease. Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds. | Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease |
3. | Animals get organic feed and allow access to the outdoors. Animals are grass fed. Use preventive methods such as rotational grazing, to help minimize disease. | Animals given antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease. They are also grain fed or fed on specially prepared foods |
4. | Organic food must be free from all synthetic chemicals. This starts at the ground level when a farmer prepares his field. Manure and compost are acceptable natural products | Use petroleum-based fertilizer or chemically altered material in his soil |
5. | Organic food cannot be genetically altered in any way.Traditionally, changes to plants and livestock were accomplished through selective breeding techniques and hand pollination. These techniques are still certified organic. | The food may be genetically modified food, or GM food, has been tampered with at the genetic level. Sometimes varieties of plants have been cross-bred to create hardier or tastier strains. GM seeds can be drought resistant or have higher yields. GM technology tampers with the work of Mother Nature and is therefore inorganic. |
6. | Organic food cannot come in contact with inorganic food. In order to ensure that pesticides or other chemical treatments don’t rub off on organic produce, it must be packaged and shipped separately from conventionally farmed food. |
There is a belief that organic food is healthier than inorganic food as there is no use of chemicals so there are fewer carcinogens. Organic soil may have water draining out of it but since no chemical fertilizers are used it will not damage the water table. New research says that Organic cereals, fruit and vegetables have more antioxidants or polyphenolics as compared to inorganic produce. There is a lower incidence of detectable pesticide residue in organic foods whereas in inorganic foods it is four times higher. Organic crops also have lower concentrations of cadmium and nitrogen.
Most countries have a certificate which the organic food producers have to obtain if they want to market organic foods in their own countries. In India standards were established in 2000 with the setting up of the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) The NPOP standards for production and accreditation system is recognized by European Commission and Switzerland as being equivalent to standards in their country, while the USDA has recognized NPOP conformity assessment procedures of accreditation as equivalent to that of US. These countries are willing to import Indian organic products if they are certified by the accredited Certification Bodies of India.
NPOP standards ensure that the product and the raw materials used in the product are grown through organic farming. There has been no use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or induced hormones. The certification is issued by testing centres accredited by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the NPOP. In India production of organic foods includes varieties of sugarcane, cotton, oil seeds, basmati rice, pulses, spices, tea, fruits, dry fruits, vegetables and coffee. Non edible products include organic cotton fiber and functional food products etc.
Chhetrapal Sharma says
Organic products are certainly best of they are really organic but unfortunately people obtain the organic certificate only and provide inorganic products