The organic food in Australia started as a small niche industry and has grown manifolds in the last 25 years. With increasing consumer and trader awareness, the retail sales of organic food in Australia alone is around 200-250 thousand dollars without including the organic food exports. As per research conducted by Sate Government of Victoria (Australia), the growth in demand for organic food in Australia has been 20 to 30 % per year since last 2 decades.
Increasing organic food market has a holistic benefit to each sector involved. Animals, soil, water, consumers, farmers and traders, there is some benefit for everyone. The food grown in organic farms is not genetically modified and does not contain any harmful pesticides. It is fresh and healthier in comparison to commercially grown fruits, vegetables and dried legumes. Animal food like eggs are also more nutritious as in organic farms hens are not caged instead they are free to roam around. Similarly, cows are not kept in feed lots. It is a known fact that when animals are not caged but free to live in their natural environment, their mental and physical growth is much better. Apart from these seemingly minute regularities, the major advantage is that animals and plants in these farms are not given any steroids, hormones or anti- biotic to produce more food. Medically induced plants and animals have a direct impact on the food they produce.
When buying organic food either from a superstore or directly from the farm, make sure that it is genuinely organic in nature. There should be a notice displayed from the Organic Retailers' and Growers' Association of Australia (ORGAA) in every authorized organic farm. In stores and hypermarkets, there is a range of products that says natural or herbal or chemical free, these are all nothing but sales gimmicks. For genuine organic food, check the label for one of the Australian quarantine and inspection service (AQIS) organizations name. Some of the AQIS organizations are:
Increasing organic food market has a holistic benefit to each sector involved. Animals, soil, water, consumers, farmers and traders, there is some benefit for everyone. The food grown in organic farms is not genetically modified and does not contain any harmful pesticides. It is fresh and healthier in comparison to commercially grown fruits, vegetables and dried legumes. Animal food like eggs are also more nutritious as in organic farms hens are not caged instead they are free to roam around. Similarly, cows are not kept in feed lots. It is a known fact that when animals are not caged but free to live in their natural environment, their mental and physical growth is much better. Apart from these seemingly minute regularities, the major advantage is that animals and plants in these farms are not given any steroids, hormones or anti- biotic to produce more food. Medically induced plants and animals have a direct impact on the food they produce.
When buying organic food either from a superstore or directly from the farm, make sure that it is genuinely organic in nature. There should be a notice displayed from the Organic Retailers' and Growers' Association of Australia (ORGAA) in every authorized organic farm. In stores and hypermarkets, there is a range of products that says natural or herbal or chemical free, these are all nothing but sales gimmicks. For genuine organic food, check the label for one of the Australian quarantine and inspection service (AQIS) organizations name. Some of the AQIS organizations are:
- Biodynamic Research Institute (Demeter)
- Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA)
- National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA)
- Organic Food Chain (OFC)
- Organic Herb Growers of Australia (OHGA)
- Organic Vignerons Association of Australia (OVAA)
- Tasmanian Organic Producers (TOP).
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar