Why switch to organic? Why indeed? Apart from selfish reason of eating healthy food.
Actually-it is not the health of consumer I worried most-It is health of poor pesticide spraying farmer.Did you know that cancer is almost non-existent in India compared to western society?
Only prevalent areas are those where pesticides are sprayed.These chemicals enter groundwater and farmers get most affected .They spray pesticides and then drink contaminated water too. http://www.indiatogether.org has a story about high incidence of cancer among farmers in Punjab.
Another reason is to bring the suicide rate or errrr..debt rate of farmers low.Recent spate of suicides didn't happen in Vidharbha bPublishecause of lack of rains.But because high priced seeds (another story which I will touch later) AND, increased cost of fertilizers and pesticides.Quality of soil has become so low that higher qty of fertilizers and pesticides are required for same yield.
Think indian agriculture is profitable-One acre yields Rs 20,000( USD $500) per annum after all costs (excluding labor). Growth of agriculture-meager 2% per year.How will all software engineers in India feel if they get 2% salary hike every year?? Not good..right.This is what 60% of Indian population is getting.Inflation is 7% every year.So effectively, -5% decline .
Yes..organic food is wholesome meal..healthier.blah..blah..but before Reliances and Tatas and Mittals..make it their next money making venture.We have to think about our poor farmers first.
I speak only in Indian context as this is the place where most people are affected by policies in agriculture.Is FDI answer to create jobs and remove this dependence on agriculture?
I don't think so.
Out of 20 crore childrSave as Draften entering primary school only 1 crore finish class XIIth.
For 1 crore XIIth passout-we have only 7 lakh science/engineering/technical college seats.
From number of jobs India currently produces, it's need are met by these 7 lakh graduates.It will have to go to next level to engage 19 crore left out.
Till then,fixing indian agriculture is the answer. And we , as simple consumer can affect this change without government intervention.Simply switch to Organic.Farmers profitability will automatically increase and he will be a happier person.
Showing posts with label organic india. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic india. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Organic Farmer , and YOU
Why promote Organic Farming?
We need to promote organic farming as it is good for a consumer health.Even though organic food costs more right now, ironically, it is the only mass way to remove poverty from India.Rich poor gap has worsened during last 10 years and 70% of India's population is untouched by new economic strides.People might think that consuming Organic food will give more share of profits to farmer but story is far from complete.This will be explained in next paragraphs.Also, needless to say,that organic farming is good for Earth and future generation.It is not just about feel-good factor anymore but sustaining earth has become a necessity.Soil is no longer productive and it needs more fertilizers every year to maintain same yield.Organic farming is nothing but returning to natural farming which farmers had learnt over the last thousands of years.Let's explore these modern agriculture inputs one by one.
Fertilizers may seem like a good thing for now, but these artifically created chemicals do more harm than good in the long term. Did you know that as soon as you put fertilizer in a farm , all earthworms perish?Without friendly earth worms, agriculture becomes a big challenge. And ,we are not even touching what pollution these fertilizer factories cause to Soil,Air,Water and so forth.No to mention sheer wastage of precious electricity and water resources which go into production of these artificial fertilizers.
Pesticides is another story.Nobody is doing analysis that why are so many pesticides required these days.These pesticides kill beneficial organisms in earth,plant also in addition to killing original pests. Next generation of pests is even more immune so stronger dose of pesticides is required.All this leads to a vicious cycle due to which a poor farmer falls into debt burden.Agri-culture or industrial farming favours only one type of crop for maximum benefit
Bad effects Pesticides
Government subsidizes more
Current cost of Organic food is too high.Average consumer is not able to afford it.Need to increase the availability of organic food
Organic Certification Agencies Links
We need to promote organic farming as it is good for a consumer health.Even though organic food costs more right now, ironically, it is the only mass way to remove poverty from India.Rich poor gap has worsened during last 10 years and 70% of India's population is untouched by new economic strides.People might think that consuming Organic food will give more share of profits to farmer but story is far from complete.This will be explained in next paragraphs.Also, needless to say,that organic farming is good for Earth and future generation.It is not just about feel-good factor anymore but sustaining earth has become a necessity.Soil is no longer productive and it needs more fertilizers every year to maintain same yield.Organic farming is nothing but returning to natural farming which farmers had learnt over the last thousands of years.Let's explore these modern agriculture inputs one by one.
Fertilizers may seem like a good thing for now, but these artifically created chemicals do more harm than good in the long term. Did you know that as soon as you put fertilizer in a farm , all earthworms perish?Without friendly earth worms, agriculture becomes a big challenge. And ,we are not even touching what pollution these fertilizer factories cause to Soil,Air,Water and so forth.No to mention sheer wastage of precious electricity and water resources which go into production of these artificial fertilizers.
Pesticides is another story.Nobody is doing analysis that why are so many pesticides required these days.These pesticides kill beneficial organisms in earth,plant also in addition to killing original pests. Next generation of pests is even more immune so stronger dose of pesticides is required.All this leads to a vicious cycle due to which a poor farmer falls into debt burden.Agri-culture or industrial farming favours only one type of crop for maximum benefit
Bad effects Pesticides
- Harmful to person spaying, increased medical cost
- Seeds develop resistance
- Asian Flu example
- Less diversity
- Burden on soil
- Indian soil very soft
- Cattle provides useful other functions
- Increased agricultural inputs
Government subsidizes more
- More Tax on consumers, less available funds for infrastructure development
- It is in our interest to make farmers succeed.
- 70% population becomes vibrant market-Increased retail sales, People can afford higher education, with 30% development, we progresses so ahead, imagine with rest of 70%
- Less migration to cities
- Increased consumer spending, boosting growth
Current cost of Organic food is too high.Average consumer is not able to afford it.Need to increase the availability of organic food
Organic Certification Agencies Links
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)