ORGANIC FOOD : THE WAY FORWARD

What is Organic farming : Organic farming system in India is not new and is being followed from ancient times. It is a method of farming system which primarily aims at cultivating the land and raising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use of organic wastes (crop, animal and farm wastes) and other biological materials along with beneficial microbes (biofertilizers) to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in an eco friendly pollution free environment.

According to USDA “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony."

Organic food is food produced according to principles of organic farming.

There has been considerable debate for and against organic food produce.

 There are people and groups who swear by the superior nutritive values of Organic produce and food products, the near natural and orginal flavours it provides , the “way nature meant it to be” tastes. The fact that it is as close to nature as anything could be, converts a lot of non believers.

 while the lobby for natural or conventional food always finds fault with the “much hyped” nutritional contents.

The conventional lobby drives your attention to the need of the hour being feeding millions of hungry people across the world by high yields through technology innovation and hybrid produce. They want to eradicate hunger through more produce per farm without worrying about the nutritional equilibrium or the after effects of un restricted use of pesticides on the soil and crop. off course the effect on human health comes last.

Another argument against Organic farm produce is that only a “Organic” farm produce may not necessary be better nutritionally , the way it is , stored and cooked also makes a lot of difference .

The lobby for conventional farmed food products may have been able to convince a lot of people in their favour, however in the long term we have to look at the contaminations in the food chain, harmful chemical residues, and reduced nutritional levels due to mass production and more focus on profitability rather than nutritional benefits.

The organic food movement hands out a basket of positive benefits to the society at large including

·        Lesser or no exposure to chemicals and pesticides. in line with the principles of organic farming use of chemicals and pesticides is not allowed , hence reducing your exposure to chemicals to a great extent.

·        Better nutritional values of the produce. Since the Organic food produce is allowed to grow naturally without any harmful chemicals.

·        Environmental safety : restricted or absolutely no use of chemicals helps the environment with no residues to be taken care of at a later stage.

·        Improved quality of farm produce. The crop may not look as attarcive or huge as a conventionally farmed grain may look, but it has certainly better nutrition and flavours.

·         Culinary experts will agree , Organic produce has the real taste and lacks the oft found strange taste or unexpected taste profiles in the pesticide grown high yield crop.

With the advancement of technology and newer techniques of farming certainly Organic farms can produce higher yields as well and look to feed the ever growing populations.

Organic food can help improve the quality of life through better and chemical free farm produce.

Our future generations can benefit from a adulteration free food

Lot need to be done before we can see truly organic food being served but it’s a beginning and we need to also align ourselves to this movement.

As Chefs, it is our responsibility, to make sure that we are well informed and our decision is based on facts rather than getting influenced by opinions.