Organic farming is an alternative agricultural system which minimizes or completely avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, genetically modified organisms, and growth hormones.
Organic farmers use the crop rotation system, i.e. growing a series of dissimilar or different types of crops in the same area in sequenced seasons. Crop rotation may include set-aside. With rotation, a crop that leaches the soil of one kind of nutrient is followed during the next growing season by a dissimilar crop that returns that nutrient to the soil or draws a different ratio of nutrients. It helps in reducing soil erosion and increases soil fertility and crop yield.
Additionally organic farmers use, crop residues, manure (dung) and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity, plant nutrient enrichment, and control weeds, insects and parasites.
Organic farming is often linked to principles beyond cultivation, is an integrated farming system that strives for sustainability, the enhancement of soil fertility and biological diversity whilst.
Organic products contain 20-30% less water in their composition, higher levels of proteins, mineral salts, enzymes and vitamins. Moreover, due to the fact that they do not contain any preservatives, flavor enhancers, artificial colors neither flavorings, they taste great.
Nutrients of Organic Products
Recent research studies confirm the fact that organic products create a shield for our body’s health and contain more nutrients that help to prevent serious diseases.
It has been proved that organic oranges contain higher amounts of vitamin C, iron micronutrients, copper and zinc as well as metabolites, which provide protection against cancer and heart diseases.
There are great differences between organic and conventional fruits as a result organic products help to increase nutrient prices even in people who do not consume 5 servings of fruits and vegetables as recommended.
Higher is also the level of minerals. So we must no longer believe that there is no difference between organic and conventional products. Consuming organic products is a matter of enhancing human health.
Organic fruits and vegetables contain 40% more antioxidants than conventional products, thus protect our body from serious diseases.
Organic Product Certification
The credibility of organic products is based on a rigorous inspection and certification system described in Law 2092/91 and 1804/99 of the European Union which oblige each and every organic farmer to apply it.
According to this system a producer is monitored at all stages of the production process up to the disposal of the products. Agriculturists monitor the farms while special analyses during cultivation, harvesting and standardization, certify that the necessary rules are respected.
To qualify as organic product, must be the result of organic farming for at least three years and bring the appropriate labeling on the package, namely the body and the certification code.