Organic Food Production…
Organic farming is more sustainable. It is better for the environment too. In fact, organic farming produces food without the use of synthetic chemicals. It may not include any genetic modification to components. In fact, organic farming may not be completely chemical-free. It is not necessary for it to be 100 percent free from chemicals. Thus far, the pesticide residues will be much lower. It will be much higher in comparison to food grown using synthetic chemicals.
So, when you select organic food, choose those that are ‘certified organic’. It must be certified by one of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry accredited certifying agencies. The term ‘organic’ may include animal products too. For example, eggs may be certified as free-range and organic. It means these eggs are not from battery hens or grown in cages. Hence, Animal welfare and environmental sustainability are important issues for organic farmers.
Organic food availability
In Australia, there are many types of organic foods. The most common are fruit and vegetables. However, there are legumes, meat, and meat products too. In addition, there are dairy products, eggs, and honey. Thus far, few processed foods classify as organic too. So, farmers normally raise animals using organic methods. Farmers must treat animals with respect. For example, chickens are free-range. Cows will not be kept in feed lots. Furthermore, animals are free from any growth-regulating drugs or steroids. It means free from hormones, or antibiotics. Thus far, animals may receive vaccine treatments. It helps to prevent diseases.
So, farmers generally use traditional farming methods. It is common to rotate crops. Thus, it prevents nutrient depletion in the soil. Therefore, they integrate crops and livestock. In fact, organic farming protects the environment. It works in consistency with existing ecosystems. Hence, it includes water soil, and energy. So, farmers may use renewable resources. Hence, they practice natural farming cycles.
Organic food growth
Australian organic food production is booming. For example, in 2021, the retail value of the organic market was at least $2.3 billion. Australia experiences a compound annual growth rate of 13 percent since 2012. Thus far, the number of certified organic operations increasing by 38 percent since 2011. So far, consumer demand for organic food is growing. The annual growth rate is between 20 to 30 percent. Hence, the estimate is more than 6 out of every 10 households now purchase organic foods. The most popular products are fruit and vegetables. It follows by beef, non-alcoholic drinks, nuts, and ready-to-eat foods.
Reasons to purchase organic foods
Most people prefer to buy organically grown food. They believe it is healthier. Thus far, they are conscious of pesticides, additives, and other chemical residues. They have concerns about the ethical treatment of livestock too. There is also a concern about the impact of conventional farming on the environment.
When comparing organically grown and conventionally grown food, there is no significant difference. The nutritional content is only marginally different. Several studies substantiate this fact. Thus far, there are small differences in essential vitamins and minerals contents. So, people mostly buy organic foods because of lower nitrate levels. It may be higher in vitamin C levels. Organically grown foods have higher levels of minerals. These include iron, phosphorous, and magnesium.
Organic food and ethics
So, organic foods promote the more humane treatment of animals. It provides meat that is free from hormones and antibiotics. Thus far, it is good for people who worry about long-term health. It often affects the economic and environmental consequences of genetically modified foods. Therefore, select organic foods in support of the industry that may not use genetically modified methods.
So, organic farmers promote healthier and sustainable use of common resources. Thus far, modern conventional farming techniques use excessive chemicals. Moreover, they grow only one crop multiple times. So, they practice monocropping. It causes soil fertility to decline. This increases salinity and blue-green algae in waterways. This may happen over many years. Organic farmers mostly minimise damage to the environment. They diversify their crops, use physical weed management, and use animal or green manure.
Pesticides and other chemicals
Some farmers may grow on land that may not have previously been used for organic farming. Hence, it may contain chemical residues. However, the pesticide residues in organic food are considerably lower in comparison to conventional farming. In conventional farming synthetic chemicals are used for food production. Thus far, farmers may use some naturally occurring pesticides in organic farming. These may include pyrethrin, copper, light oils, sulphur, and biological substances
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