Transcript Organic Agriculture

Organic Agriculture
A Future Trend For Better Health And
Environment
“The birthright of all living things is health. This law
is true for soil, plant, animal and man: the health of
these four is one connected chain. Any weakness
or defect in the health of any earlier link is passed
onto the next and succeeding link, until it reaches
the last, namely, the man.”
Sir Albert Howard, 1945
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What Is Organic Food?
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Organic food is grown by organic
agriculture in soil rich in organic matter
called humus- the living part of the soil.
Humus contains billions of bacteria, fungi
and other minute organisms that provide
tremendous amount of minerals and other
nutrients to the plants.
Organic agriculture
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It is a sustainable farming system that
produces healthy crops and livestock
without damaging the environment.
It avoids the use of artificial fertilizers and
pesticides and, relying instead on
developing a healthy and fertile soil and
growing a mixture of crops.
Human Health
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Difficult to assess the effect an organic diet
has on a person’s health.
Small number of studies suggest the health
effect of organic food.
On the contrary, abundant studies have
shown negative effects of non-organic food
and conventional farming.
Pesticide
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Carcinogenic ( such as DDT that was
banned in 1973 in the US).
Over 400 chemicals are being regularly
used in conventional farming to kill weeds,
insects and other pests that feed on crops.
Some crops are being sprayed up to 16
times with 36 different pesticides.
Organophosphates
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The most dangerous pesticides.
The most widely used- account for about
half of the pesticides used in the US.
Cheap cost and broad spectrum of uses.
60 million pounds are applied annually.
17 millions pounds –non-agricultural
purposes.
Organophosphates- continues
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Very poisonous and were used in the World
War II as nerve agents.
Reduce the ability of cholinesterase to
regulate a neurotransmitter called
acetylcholine.
Symptoms Of Cholinesterase
Depression
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Headache
Muscle twitches
and weakness
Shortness of breath
Diarrhea
Convulsion
Coma
Dizziness
Nausea
Stomach Pain
Anxiety
Pinpoint pupils
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
(EDC)
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Also known as “gender benders.”
They may affect genes in a way similar to
estrogen.
Small dose can affect the sexual
characteristics of animals.
Food Additives- Food Colorings
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Food colorings cause a range of health
problems including:
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Allergic reaction
Headaches
Asthma
Growth retardation
Hyperactivity in children
Small risk of cancer and tumor is associated
with Red No. 3.
Better Nutrition
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Organic food is grown by organic farming
that retains organic matter in the soil that
provides the nutrients plants and crops
need.
The conventional food lacks substantive
nutrition.
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Speedy growth with agrochemicals
Largely water filled
Comparison of Organic and NonOrganic Produce
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Dry matter +26%
Protein +12%
Potassium +13%
Manganese +28%
Calcium +56%
Nitrates +69%
Magnesium +49%
Phosphorous +6%
Iron +290%
Copper +34%
Essential amino acids +35%
Reduce Heart Attacks
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Salicylic acid is responsible for the antiinflammatory action of aspirin and helps combat
hardening of the arteries and bowel cancer.
Salicylic acid is produced naturally in plants as a
defense against stress and disease.
Average level of salicylic acid in organic food is
117 nanograms per gram compare to 20
nanograms per gram in non-organic food.
The Environmental Impacts
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Prevent climate change
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Less CO2 is produced with organic food
because of the use of organic fertilizer instead
of commercial fertilizer.
Less CO2 with organic food because it uses
less energy than conventional farming.
Development of soil as a major carbon sink.
Water And Air Pollution
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Groundwater supplies about 51% of the
drinking water in the US.
About 25% of groundwater is
contaminated.
Less than 2% of pesticides applied to crop
reach the target crops by aerial spraying.
In Conclusion