ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

There are many different reason why consumer choose to buy organic food. These can include for example, concern for the environment and animal welfare. Eating organic food is one way to reduce consumption of pesticides residues and additives. consumer may also choose to buy organic food because they believe that it is safer and more nutritious than other food , new research show significant nutritional differences between organic and non- organic food (Dian Bourn and John Prescott 2002) ,organic food also increase nutritional value , sensory Qualities ,and food safety (Dr William Lockerefz 2010) . According to Denis Lairoh (2006) study nutritional quality and safety of organic food are more important because 1) organic plants products contain more dry matter and minerals (Fe,Mg) and contain more oxidant , micronutrient such as phenols and salicylic acid .2)organic animal products contain more polyunsaturated fatty acid .Organic farming is a holistic approach to food production .making use of crop rotation ,environmental management and good animal husbandry to control pests and disease. Processed organic food use ingredients that were produced organically and organic ingredients must make up at least 95% of the food there are only limited number of additives used in organic food production. Some key aspects of organic food and farming 1) restricted use of artificial fertilizer for pesticides. 2)emphasis on animal welfare ,and prevention of ill health , including stoking densities free range choice of suitable breeds .3)use of conventional veterinary medicine is focused on treating sick animals .4)emphasis on soil health and maintaining this through application of manure ,compost and crop rotation . 5) Processor of organic food have a restrict set of additives to use. 6) No use of GMO or their products allowed. Environmental Benefits of Organic food and Agriculture - Sustainability over the long term. Many changes observed in the environment are long term, occurring slowly over time. Organic agriculture considers the medium- and long-term effect of agricultural interventions on the agroecosystem. It aims to produce food while establishing an ecological balance to prevent soil fertility or pest problems. Organic agriculture takes a proactive approach as opposed to treating problems after they emerge.