ORGANICS- Is it really worth it? By Azra Secerbegovic May 2013

Who is Azra Secerbegovic?

Why I got into organics? conventionally grown fresh produce. farming methods in conventional agriculture economic injustice that the growers suffered in the hands of big export companies.

Organic market (1) The market research company Organic Monitor estimated the global market for organic products in 2012 at almost US$63 billion or more than 45 billion euros. This is NOT only fresh produce!!! The leading market is the United States with 21billion euros. In Europe, where 21.5billion euros were spent, Germany leads at 6.6billion euros, followed by France (3.8billion euros). The countries with the highest annual per capita spending were Switzerland and Denmark with more than 160 euros.

Organic market (2)

Organic supply (1) Moving from consumers to producers 80 percent of a global farms that practice organic methods are located in developing countries. The countries with the most producers are India (547’591), Uganda (188’625), Mexico(169’570) and Tanzania (145’430). In Europe, Spain & Italy

When did it all start? The organic movement began in the mid- 1920s in Central Europe through the work of Rudolf Steiner. He created biodynamic agriculture, an early version of organic agriculture. The system was based on Steiner's philosophy of anthroposophy.

What is organic farming? Organic farming -techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control. Green house vs open field International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), an international umbrella organization for organic farming organizations established in 1972.

So many certificates!!! So many different organics!!!!

Organic Certification Organisations Skal is a private non profit foundation with a public task as certification and inspection body for the organic production. It is assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.

Spain Comité Aragonés de Agricultura Ecológica (CAAE) Edificio Centrorigen Ctra de Cogullada, 65 Mercazaragoza Zaragoza Spain Government body

France/Belgium/Italy Ecocert is an inspection and certification body established in France in 1991 by agronomists. Strong in natural cosmetics.

The UK The Soil Association is a charity. Almost all income is contributed by individual members and supporters and institutions such as charitable trusts and statutory bodies.

Is it better? Is it healthier? The study in Brazil The farms were located within 1.5 kilometres of each other and shared similar natural environments. Fruits from 30 plants in each farming system were sampled and analysed Tomatoes grown on organic farms were 40 per cent smaller than those produced conventionally. However, their concentrations of vitamin C were up to 57 per cent higher, and ripe fruits contained well over twice the quantity of phenolic compounds. Plant phenols, such as flavonoids, are largely responsible for the health-giving properties attributed to many fruits and vegetables. They help the body fight oxidative stress - a form of chemical damage linked to chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer and dementia.

Do you need to eat everything organic? If you can afford, yes!! Dairy products- MUST Soft fruit Carrots Apples Pears Celery Tomato Cucumbers Peppers THIN SKIN VS THICK SKIN

Many thanks!