Due to the increasing information of environmental disasters and food scandals, many of us are beginning to rethink our own habits. As consumers, we are becoming increasingly critical in our choice of products. Where does the product come from? How was it produced? What is behind it? Can I eat it without hesitation? At the same time, many people are becoming more aware of their own diet and the impact of their own consumption on the climate.
One way to minimize their ecological footprint is to buy food that comes from ecologically controlled cultivation.
But what exactly is meant by "certified organic cultivation"?
Ecologically controlled cultivation is a form of agriculture that uses environmentally sustainable techniques to maintain soil productivity. It also avoids the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
For the cultivation of organic food, a holistic approach is followed, in which the agricultural enterprise is understood as part of the natural cycle. Organic farmers thus try to act in harmony with nature instead of exploiting it.
There are a variety of reasons to increasingly deal with the topic organic.
Reason 1: Health. Organic food is healthier! At present, there is no research into how the interaction between chemical pesticides, additives, drug residues and hormones affects our human body. Limits do exist, but they do not apply to the total amount of chemicals that can accumulate in conventional foods. For example, pesticides are suspected of having a carcinogenic effect or of interfering with women's fertility. Since no chemical pesticides are used in organic farming, the food is of higher quality, has an intense taste of its own and contains more vitamins and minerals.
Reason 2: Climate protection. Organic farming helps to protect the climate! By doing without artificial fertilizers, 1/3 less energy is used. Furthermore, soils treated with organic fertilizers are richer in humus. Humus is the entirety of organic substances in the soil, which contains important nutrients and forms a habitat for numerous living beings. It also has the ability to bind CO2 in the soil. The more CO2 is bound in the soil, the better this ultimately affects our climate. Moreover, less energy-intensive additives are used, less greenhouse gases are produced and less waste is generated. The CO2 footprint is therefore much smaller than in conventional agriculture.
Reason 3: Genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is prohibited in organic farming! Genetic engineering means the artificial modification of the genetic material of organisms. Genetic engineering interventions can, for example, increase the yield. However, genetically modified plants disturb the balance of ecosystems and put a strain on them. Possible toxic effects on humans have not yet been recorded. However, genetically modified food and antibiotic resistance, as well as allergy susceptibility, should be closely related. Organic farming, on the other hand, protects the gene pool by preserving traditional plant varieties and breeds.
Reason 4: The water. Our groundwater is protected by organic farming! Synthetic fertilizers from conventional agriculture lead to very high nitrate levels in the soil. The nitrate gets into the groundwater through deep layers of soil and can become a great danger for babies, small children and under special conditions also for adults. In addition, the entire ecosystem is polluted, as it can lead to the poisoning of living creatures such as bees.
Reason 5: The soil. Soil-forming practices are at the heart of organic farming! In contrast to conventional practices, which leach the soil, organic farming promotes soil formation. As the productivity of the soil is improved, flora & fauna are protected. The nutrient and energy cycle is optimized, which benefits the entire ecosystem.
Reason 6: The transparency. For organic food all ingredients must be declared! In total, more than 400 additives are allowed in food, which are not always subject to declaration. The added substances often trigger allergies and can lead to hyperactivity in children, for example. Furthermore, when buying organic food, we can trace the entire production process and even use control numbers to determine from which farm our products originate.
The above reasons show that agriculture plays a key role in the development of our society. Our organic farmers are guardians of biological diversity and are characterized by a respectful treatment of people, animals and the environment. This benefits both our health and our climate.
Our purchasing power enables us to support a less environmentally damaging agricultural system and leave an intact ecosystem with great biodiversity for future generations. So the next time you go shopping, it will taste twice as good - right?
