What are some differences between organic and conventional foods

Differences between Organic and Conventional Food

Organic food has recently gained immense popularity recently so much so that the demand beats the supply by a huge margin. People who used to have digestive problems are no longer complaining of them and are saying that they discovered organic food products way late. They have also started spreading awareness about organic products and are recommending more and more people to try them out. All this is essential for us, to live better lives and it is all very beneficial for the farmers too. They refused the conventional foods because they wanted to grow healthy crops instead of crops that contain pesticides which may lead to health problems.

The differences:

1. Chemicals involved: Conventional food is the food that is grown with the involvement of traditionally used artificial chemicals, hormones, antibiotics or genetically modified organisms. These make the crops grow faster but are very harmful for the soil and the people consuming the food. 

Organic food and crops, on the other hand do not involve use of these harmful chemicals and thus are much healthier and use humus and manure to improve the quality of soil. They are also less likely to cause health problems later.on.

2. Quality of food: Organic food looks and tastes better than conventional foods because not only has it been grown organically-without the involvement of chemicals and pesticides- it does not have any preservatives too. Preservatives are also a form of chemicals used to increase an edible item’s shelf life. Preservatives increase the life of the product but have a bad impact on it’s quality.

3. Cost: This has several aspects that one must understand. Conventional foods cost much less than organic foods because they grow fast. Organic crops and products are grown in significantly smaller amounts than their conventional counterparts. This means a higher production, maintenance and transport cost. Also, the farmers are devoting themselves to the cause of growing healthy food. That in itself is a commendable feat.

4. Nutritional content: The nutritional value of organic and conventional foods is mostly equal. However, organic foods have higher nutrition when it comes to dairy products. They have upto 50% more nutrients than non-organic foods. This is a huge amount.

5. Environmental and general safety: As discussed above, organic foods are much safer than non-organic foods in the fact that they do not contain dangerous chemicals that are used in conventional foods and end up causing various health problems. Going organic means you are also promoting a greener tomorrow and are helping more farmers to go organic.

Conclusion

To wrap it all up, Organic food may be expensive than non-organic food but it is promoting a better environment and a healthier you. The only slight downside is the higher cost which is also acceptable if your health is the one on the shorter stick. The choice should be obvious to everyone but still people continue ignoring organic food in favour of conventional food which is disrupting their body’s functioning.

We provide organic food products at incredible prices. All products are of top-quality and will definitely improve your life. 
For more information lick here visit at: naturelandorganics.com

Organic Food, Integrated Organic Farming And Business In India

Organic Farming & Business in India

Organic farming is a method of farming and crop production that promotes the use of natural remedies for the nourishment and growth of crops rather than chemicals and fertilizers.

Need for organic farming

Organic farming is very important if one wants to lead a healthy and happy later on. The effects of the chemicals that we consume on a regular basis from fruits and vegetables will not start appearing immediately but take time. They originally start showing little effects in some time. It takes them years or even decades to start showing full effects. These chemicals, preservatives and many other similar things are the reason people are falling sick and catching so many diseases which some thirty years back didn’t even exist! Since genes are carried forward from the parent to the child, the contaminants also find their way into the child’s body, making them vulnerable to medical conditions by affecting their immune system.

More and more people are starting to become conscious about their eating habits are going organic. That is the step in the right direction. Studies have shown that people who do not take care of their eating habits in their youth are more vulnerable to critical illnesses and diseases when they get old as compared to people who eat not only vegetables and fruits, but organic vegetables and fruits.

Everything used to be organic before the Second World War Things changed after that. Chemicals were introduced in the war and people found out that using chemicals in the fields allowed them to boost the productivity of the crops.

Organic agriculture became popular throughout the people among the world who wanted to live healthy even at the ages of 50. That is how effective organic farming and agriculture is. The slightly high cost is fully justified by the health benefits that are being offered. Anyone would pay some more money if it means protection from some health problems that may occur in the future. It is indeed a very small cost to pay.

Principles of organic production

1. Protecting the environment, decrease pollution in soil and air, reduce soil erosion, etc.

2. Enhance biodiversity within the ecosystem.

3.Recycle matter to a great extent, to help reduce pollution in the environment.

4. Handling the production procedure well, so that food maintains it’s integrity and qualities after the packaging.

5. Maintain fertility in the soil by implementing various methods.

Organic farming relies on crop rotation and crop cover to improve the overall quality of soil. Humus and manure as used to make the soil fertile and rich in content. Organic farming also promotes healthy parasite/host relationships. Organic nutrients that are produced in the farm are recycled and reused in the soil.

Organic agriculture in India

Popular as medicine

Organic agriculture in India has seen a momentous rise. People from all walks of life have started adopting the organic way as the way of life and are very happy with their choice. India has a large number of people with diseases related to obesity and diabetes. Thus, stevia is also hugely popular as an excellent alternative to sugar. It does not affect the weight or blood sugar levels of a person. Green tea made from tulsi is also extremely well-known throughout the sub-continent. Tulsi is also used in thousands of natural remedies for treating minor to long-term, life-threatening illnesses. This plant is so effective that it is worshipped as the “elixir of life”. There are hundreds of such organic plants in India that are used for their multitudes of benefits.

Organic farming has been practiced in India for several thousand years. It was the backbone of Indian economy and agriculture for a long time. India thrived on organic agriculture until the British invaded India. The cow was worshipped throughout the country as a sacred animal. It is still worshipped, though in somewhat smaller numbers as before. It provided milk and dung, which was used in the nourishment of the soil.

The shift from organic

During the 1960’s India’s population count was increasing at an astonishing rate. To counter the problem of food deficiency for all, the Indian government introduced what came to be known as the Green Revolution along with importing food grains from other countries. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides were introduced in place of organic fertilizers as the government’s focus was to produce as many food grains as possible in the shortest amount of time. Even though this was very successful and managed to counter the problem at the time, today-decades later- the side effects of the chemicals on the soil are clearly visible. This has led to a lot of crop producers go back to the old ways of producing food- the organic way. This is a step in the right direction. Organic has massive benefits over the standard method of farming, albeit at a slightly higher cost. This cost is justified as health is the most necessary thing in a person’s life. Recently, the government of Sikkim even announced that they would be celebrating the Sikkim Organic Day from January 18 every year, starting 2017.        

Organic farming is on the rise and we support organic whole-heartedly. We provide organic food products at great prices. 

To know more visit our website naturelandorganics.com

          

5 Reasons Why is organic food more expensive than conventional food? Organic Farming

5 Reasons Why Organic is expensive than Conventional Foods

Introduction

Organic food is a boon to the masses. It contains no artificial pesticides whatsoever making it a great choice for all the people. It’s consumption is still very low as compared to conventional foods due to it’s high pricing. But the high pricing is validated due to the amount of benefits provided by organic foods when compared to conventional foods. Organic foods can cost more than 20% higher than conventional foods. This is a price point many people in India cannot afford.

This also raises the question on why is organic food more expensive than conventional food. We try and answer your question in the following points.

1. More labour required:  No chemicals are present when the farmers are growing the crops.This means the farmers have to work a lot harder than they would have to if they were growing conventional crops. Conventional farmers use all chemicals present as they require much less effort. The crop also grows in a short time. The higher price of the organically grown crops is actually the true cost of growing crops.

2. Fertilizers for organic crops cost higher:  The fertilizers available for organic crops cost higher than those for conventional crops. Organic farmers use a host of inexpensive solutions while also implementing compost and animal manure which costs a lot.

3. More demand, less supply:  It is false that there is not enough demand for organic foods. The demand for organic food is actually more than what the farmers are capable of producing. Due to the ease of conventional farming, there are already low amount of farmers that are practicing organic farming. Slowly but surely, the number of organic farmers is rising.

4. Handling after harvesting:  After production, organic crops are kept separated from conventional crops due to the fear of cross-contamination. Since the conventional farms produce more, the cost of transport is lower when compared to organic crops. These are very few in number. This increases their transportation and handling costs.

5. Time taken for growth:  Organic food takes significantly more time to grow than regular crops due to the fact that there are several forms of growth-speeding chemicals available for conventional crops that are not available for organic crops. This also leads to increased costs as time is very important nowadays.

To wrap it up, while it is true that organic crops are expensive than conventional crops, the cost is justified. It is acceptable due to the numerous health benefits they provide. These health benefits can even be life-saving in the long run. Also, the more the people support organic way of life, the more the increase in supply of crops.

Organic food can be expensive, despite their health benefits and that’s why we are here. We provide organic food products at great prices. Not only that, we have a large variety of products to choose from so that you can go healthy in anything that you eat. Learn more at http://naturelandorganics.com

Why Is Organic Food Better‎ ? Organic Product For Healthy LifeStyle

Why are Organic Products Better?

The current condition of organic food products

Organic products have become quite prevalent ever since people found out about their extreme benefits. In fact, in many parts of the world, the demand for organic food handily beats the supply. This really goes on to show that more and people are joining the organic movement which will not only benefit those consuming the food but also those who are actually growing organic.

This matters a lot to the farmers as they are growing organic while potentially cutting off their earnings which they could have made by growing conventional forms of food crops which involve chemicals and pesticides. They have to commended and supported for this because they are supporting a healthier world along with a healthier population.

The fast rise of organic has made sure that the farmers growing organic do not have to worry about not paid enough. However, this does not apply to all parts of the world. In India particularly, people do not yet know about organic. Those who do are not ready to pay the price for food as the majority hardly makes ends meet somehow. This means that India still has a long way to go when it comes to this.

Here at Natureland Organics, our focus is to provide a large variety of organic food to people at affordable costs. Sure, the food is slightly more expensive but that should not matter as health should be the top of your priority.

Damage dealt by conventional foods

The damage dealt by organic foods is immense as these contain very harmful chemicals which may even lead to irreversible damage in the long run. These also harm the environment during their production as the factories release poisonous fumes which go into air, water and land. So, stopping their use has become crucial if we want to look at the bigger picture.

Supporting organic food

Let us all start supporting organic and ensuring that we are working towards a better tomorrow where our loved ones are free of diseases pertaining due to the consumption of non-organic products which end up causing harm. Support us and buy organic products. We think that if we create a movement, we will be able to bring about a massive change in the mindsets of people and get them to buy organic.

We support organic food products fully. We know how high one regards their own health and so, we visit us http://naturelandorganics.com to find the best quality organic food.

What is Organic Food ? and Why Organic Food?

Meaning -

Organic food is food that has been grown or farmed without the use of artificial chemicals, hormones, antibiotics or generally modified organisms. The product must also not contain artificial colours, sweeteners, etc. It means more nature, wildlife and biodiversity.

This food tends to use natural fertilizers like manure, humus to improve crop health and growth.

Organic farming helps to improve the overall quality of soil as the soil gets various nutrients from the humus and manure which are used as fertilizers. Humus makes the soil softer and more fertile. Manure also helps improve the quality of soil.

Farmers growing organic crops focus on activities such as mulching, hand weeding, crop rotation, etc. to enrich the soil in which they are growing the crops.

How to check for organic food -

If you see a food product having a certified organic seal, it means that the contents of the food product are 95% organic and only the remaining 5% content is inorganic.

Then there is the 100% label which indicates that the contents used to make the food product are all organic, no inorganic product or substance has been used.

Benefits -

There are several benefits of organic foods over those that are non-organic-

·       Organic food contains fewer pesticides than foods that are conventionally grown. Conventional foods use several form of pesticides that remain in them and are consumed by us.

·       Organic food is fresher because it does not contains preservatives to make it last longer unlike conventional food.

·       Organic farming is better for the environment. It reduces pollution, conserves water, reduces soil erosion, soil fertility, etc.

·       Organic meat and milk are very rich in nutrients. These have up to 50% more Omega 3 fatty acids than their conventional counterparts. They also have slightly higher amounts of other nutrients.

·       Uses lesser fossil fuel energy.

·       Protects our biodiversity by maintaining suitable habitats for plants, animals, etc.

·       Organic farming methods increase soil carbon which leads to less greenhouse gases.

Are they safer?

It has been found that consuming organic foods reduces exposure to pesticides and consumption of organic pork and chicken reduces exposure to antibiotic resistant bacteria. Organic foods are grown without chemicals and pesticides. They are safer for one’s body in the long run. The residue chemical in conventional foods starts to collect in our bodies slowly and cause severe problems. The same goes for other animals and plants.

Products -

•  Foods and vegetables  
•  Grains  
• Legumes   
• Nuts and seeds
•  Dairy products and eggs
•  Livestock feed 
• Meat and poultry   
• Organic wine

Crop diversity -

Organic farming encourages crop diversity. Crop diversity helps the crops as well as the soil to flourish, also preventing the crops from going extinct. It also increases the number of benefactory insects and micro-organisms.

Organic wine -

Organic wine is made from grapes and is made keeping the nature in mind, excluding the use of any harmful substances. Organic wine is made in vineyards where those grapes are used which have been produced organically leading to organic wine.

The organic wine market has left the natural wine market behind and signifies the overall growth and importance of the field of organic products.

What is organic agriculture ? Key features of Organic Farming

What is organic agriculture ?

Organic farming is a technique, which involves cultivation of plants and rearing of animals in natural ways. This process involves the use of biological materials, avoiding synthetic substances to maintain soil fertility and ecological balance thereby minimizing pollution and wastage. It relies on ecologically balanced agricultural principles like crop rotation, green manure, organic waste, biological pest control, mineral and rock additives. Organic farming make use of pesticides and fertilizers if they are considered natural and avoids the use of various petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides.

There are many explanations and definitions for organic agriculture but all converge to state that it is a system that relies on ecosystem management rather than external agricultural inputs. It is a system that begins to consider potential environmental and social impacts by eliminating the use of synthetic inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, veterinary drugs, genetically modified seeds and breeds, preservatives, additives and irradiation. These are replaced with site-specific management practices that maintain and increase long-term soil fertility and prevent pest and diseases.

"Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It emphasises the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished by using, where possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfil any specific function within the system." (FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, 1999).

Organic agriculture systems and products are not always certified and are referred to as "non-certified organic agriculture or products". This excludes agriculture systems that do not use synthetic inputs by default (e.g. systems that lack soil building practices and degrade land). Three different driving forces can be identified for organic agriculture:

 • Consumer or market-driven organic agriculture. Products are clearly identified through certification and labelling. Consumers take a conscious decision on how their food is produced, processed, handled and marketed. The consumer therefore has a strong influence over organic production.

 • Service-driven organic agriculture. In countries such as in the European Union (EU), subsidies for organic agriculture are available to generate environmental goods and services, such as reducing groundwater pollution or creating a more biologically diverse landscape.

• Farmer-driven organic agriculture. Some farmers believe that conventional agriculture is unsustainable and have developed alternative modes of production to improve their family health, farm economies and/or self-reliance. In many developing countries, organic agriculture is adopted as a method to improve household food security or to achieve a reduction of input costs. Produce is not necessarily sold on the market or is sold without a price distinction as it is not certified. In developed countries, small farmers are increasingly developing direct channels to deliver non-certified organic produce to consumers. In the United States of America (USA), farmers marketing small quantities of organic products are formally exempt from certification.

Need for Organic Farming :

The population of the planet is skyrocketing and providing food for the world is becoming extremely difficult. The need of the hour is sustainable cultivation and production of food for all. The Green Revolution and its chemical based technology are losing its appeal as dividends are falling and returns are unsustainable. Pollution and climate change are other negative externalities caused by use of fossil fuel based chemicals. As of 2012, the market for organic farming and other products has reached $63 billion worldwide.

• ·         Protecting soil quality using organic material and encouraging biological activity
• ·         Indirect provision of crop nutrients using soil microorganisms
• ·         Nitrogen fixation in soils using legumes
• ·         Weed and pest control based on methods like crop rotation, biological diversity, natural predators,       organic manures and suitable chemical, thermal and biological intervention
• ·         Rearing of livestock, taking care of housing, nutrition, health, rearing and breeding
• ·         Care for the larger environment and conservation of natural habitats and wild life

Four Principles of Organic Farming :

• Principle of Health: Organic agriculture must contribute to the health and well being of soil, plants, animals, humans and the earth. It is the sustenance of mental, physical, ecological and social well being. For instance, it provides pollution and chemical free, nutritious food items for humans
  
•   Principle of Fairness: Fairness is evident in maintaining equity and justice of the shared planet both among humans and other living beings. Organic farming provides good quality of life and helps in reducing poverty. Natural resources must be judiciously used and preserved for future generations.
•   Principle of Ecological Balance: Organic farming must be modeled on living ecological systems. Organic farming methods must fit the ecological balances and cycles in nature.
•     Principle of Care: Organic agriculture should be practiced in a careful and responsible manner to benefit the present and future generations and the environment.

As opposed to modern and conventional agricultural methods, organic farming does not depend on synthetic chemicals. It utilizes natural, biological methods to build up soil fertility such as microbial activity boosting plant nutrition.