Some of the must-use organic edible oils with benefits galore

Natural products are being used by a large number of people today as there are lots of health benefits in them. Organic oils too are mostly used in Indian and global kitchens today on a regular basis. These extracts are highly preferred because they do not contain any additives, preservatives or chemical substances. Apart from cooking purposes, these also prove to be great beauty products as well.  Prolonged consumption of such ingredients helps people to keep their mind and body in an active state always.

If you are prone to heart diseases and degeneration of bones, it is highly likely that your doctor would recommend you to include any organic edible oil in your food. Many researches were conducted in the US and it was found out that women who consume these ingredients regularly are less prone to deadly diseases like ovarian cancer. Doctors all over the world are asking people to refrain from using processed extracts completely.

However, this doesn’t mean that these natural liquid extracts are a strict no-no at all. Food indeed gets tasty when it is fried or nicely sautéed.  There are now many an organic edible oil to choose from for people who love their fried foods. Natural grape seed liquid extract is the best choice when it comes to frying foods. This is relatively new in the Indian market, but many international super markets have started stocking this ingredient. The cholesterol levels of this compound are very low and hence it is absolutely safe for the heart.

Coconut liquid extract is another commonly- used ingredient in one’s kitchen today. However the processed extract that is available easily in all the stores today has a lot of fat in it. Hence, one must be very careful to choose only the extra virgin coconut variety, which is the unprocessed kind. This is mostly used as a substitute of cooking butter as it is not only healthy, but also has a wonderful taste.

Extra Virgin Olive seed extract is one of the most famous organic oils available in the Indian and international stores today. Many people have switched to this olive product today for cooking, as this has lower fat content in it. Similarly natural extracts of sunflower, natural peanut, natural groundnut, natural mustard, and natural sesame are used regularly by people today. There is an increased awareness about the dangers of using processed plant extract for eating and cooking and therefore the sales of these natural products have increased phenomenally over the years all over the world.

Why choose organic fruits and vegetables

Most of the countries, including India, are now becoming aware of the food that is being consumed by them. People have become diet and calorie conscious and they make a deliberate effort to watch what they eat. In India, the terms organic fruits and organic vegetables are being heard often in the recent past. Many people have started eating these organic foods because of many reasons.  However, some are still not aware of how organic and natural fruits and vegetables can bring about lots of positive effects in one’s body. Here is a sneak-peek into the benefits of these pure and untreated foods.

No hazardous chemicals – Organic foods are 100% natural. Many Indian supermarkets are now stocking these natural foods in large quantities because there is a phenomenal demand for them. Our body is made up of what we eat, hence, if we consume the artificial foods that contain poisonous substances, preservatives and other hazardous residual elements, we are spoiling our physique to a great extent. Organic fruits and organic vegetables do not contain chlordane, heptachlor or any other dangerous organohalogen compounds that are commonly found in the artificial foods.

Naturally grown – Organic fruits and organic vegetables are naturally grown in a place where the soil is taken utmost care of. Only natural fertilisers are used to enrich the soil’s quality and hence these plants are not exposed to any kinds of hazardous chemical elements. Hence we should exercise caution while choosing to buy our food from the stores. We should never opt for foods that are genetically modified or artificially ripened. By choosing these organic consumable food items, we can be assured that we are eating natural food that will cleanse our system in the best way possible.

Supports growth in children – Children who consume lots of organic fruits and organic vegetables have a healthier nervous system as compared to children who consume a large quantity of genetically modified foods. These types of foods give long term nutritional benefits for the development of a kid’s brain and nervous system and act as a catalyst for his growth.

More nutrients – Over the years many debates have been conducted on genetically modified foods vs. organic foods and the latter has won hands down in all the researches. It has been proved in many researches that the nutritional quality (vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants) of organic fruits and organic vegetables is far higher than genetically grown foods.

The above said qualities are only few basic reasons as to why we must choose natural and fresh fruits and vegetables over genetically modified foods. These untreated foods have more benefits that what meets the common eye. These foods guarantee complete and perennial nutrition to the human body.

Organic Farming Being Promoted in A Big Way; India Exporting 1.6 Lakh Tonne Organic Products

The Government is promoting organic farming through various schemes like National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and also Network Project on Organic Farming of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Under NPOF scheme, assistance upto 25% and 33% of financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs. 40 lakhs and Rs. 60 lakhs respectively is provided as back ended subsidy through NABARD for establishment of bio- pesticides/biofertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively. Besides, under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) and Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), financial assistance is provided for setting up vermi-compost production units @ 50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary, for adoption of organic farming @ Rs.10,000/- per hectare for maximum area of 4 hectare per beneficiary and for organic farming certification @ Rs.5.00 lakh for a group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectares. Assistance for promotion of organic farming on different components are also available under RKVY with the approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee. Under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) on Pulses, including Accelerated Pulses Production Programme (A3P), assistance for popularizing Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising bacteria is provided to the farmers under cluster demonstrations.
Similarly, under Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP) Programme, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria/Azotobacter culture is provided to the farmers as part of technology demonstration. Further, under National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F) financial assistance of Rs 500 per hectare is provided to promote use of organic manure. The financial assistance is provided on the basis of project proposals received from States including Maharashtra. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Network Project on Organic Farming, with lead centre at Project Directorate for Farming Systems Research Modipuram is developing package of practices of different crops and cropping system under organic farming in different agro-ecological regions of the country. As a result India exported agri-organic products of total volume of 160276.95 MT and realization was around Rs.1155.81 crores in year 2012-13.

Government promoting use of Organic Manure in India

New Delhi: Government is promoting organic/chemical free fertilizers under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme of National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) through NABARD by setting up of Fruit & Vegetable Waste/Agro Waste Compost Units under Municipalities, Agricultural Produce marketing Committees (APMCs), Public Sector/Private Sector Companies, individual entrepreneurs and Bio-fertilizer/Bio-pesticide Production Units through Public Sector, Co-operative/Private Sector Companies, NGOs and individual entrepreneurs.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed technologies to prepare various types of organic manures such as Phospho-compost, Vermi-compost, Municipal Solid Waste Compost etc. from various organic wastes.
During the 11th Five Year Plan, the funds Rs.101.00 crore was allocated by the Government for National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) to encourage organic farming including organic manure. Under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme of NPOF, subsidy amounting to Rs.11.53 crore was released through NABARD during 11th plan period.
ICAR is implementing a Network Project on Organic Farming to develop package of practices of different crops and cropping systems under Organic farming in different agro-ecological regions of the country with an allocation of Rs.5.34 crore. Organic farming package of practices for 14 crops namely basmati rice, rainfed wheat, maize, redgram, chickpea, soyabean, groundnut, mustard, isabgol, black pepper, ginger, tomato, cabbage and cauliflower have been developed.
Soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic source of plant nutrient is recommended by ICAR to maintain quality of soils.
National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F) was launched during 2008-09 with a total outlay of Rs.429.85 crore during 11th Plan to promote soil test based balanced and judicious use of fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. NPMSH&F provides assistance for setting up of new static/mobile soil testing laboratories (STLs), strengthening of existing STLs, trainings of STL staff/extension officers/farmers, field demonstrations on balanced use of fertilizers, promoting use of organic manure, soil amendments and micro nutrients. During 11th Plan 294 STLs were set up/strengthened, 118 new mobile STLs were set up, 1,221 trainings and 1344 demonstrations were organized, 99,000 ha were covered under organic manure, 34,000 ha under soil amendment and 1,08,800 ha under micro nutrients.
Under Horticulture Mission for North-East & Himalayan States (HMNEH) financial assistance is provided for various horticulture activities. Setting up of vermicompost units is one of the components under the scheme for which financial assistance upto Rs.30000 per unit for permanent structure and Rs.10000 per unit for HDPE vermin bed is provided on pro-rata basis.
Under National Horticulture Mission (NHM), subsidy is provided for adoption of organic farming @ of 50% of the maximum permissible cost of Rs.20,000/ha for a maximum area of 4 ha per beneficiary in three installments. The programme is linked with organic certification. Subsidy under organic certification is project based, which is Rs. 5.00 lakh for a cluster of 50 ha. For setting up of vermin compost units, assistance is provided upto Rs.30000 per unit. A sum of Rs.206.87 crore was released to the State Horticulture Missions during 11th Plan for taking up organic farming activities. The coverage of area achieved under organic farming is 128074 ha against target of 67710 ha and 142140 vermi compost units have been set up against target of 115951 units.

Sikkim has to overcome challenges to become organic

New Delhi, Feb 11 (IANS) Sikkim has set for itself the goal of becoming an organic agricultural state by 2015 — but there are several challenges that it needs to overcome to see the shift, said an ecology expert from the Himalayan state.
“Organic agriculture, as an adaptation strategy to climate change, is a concrete, holistic and sustainable option but has challenges in terms of acceptance and the sustainability of such a move needs critical appraisal,” Rajendra P. Gurung, chief executive officer, Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim, told IANS here.
The foremost challenge is in terms of acceptance by the farmers who are still dependent on fertilisers and traditional farming.
“The financial investment is also huge, especially for the certification process, which is costly and complex. Also in terms of sustainability, financial support will be required even 10 years after the implementation,” added Gurung.
Gurung, who is also a member of the Sikkim State Biodiversity Board, said marketing and developing the Sikkim organic brand is also another challenge that needs great attention.
“The state also needs to understand the aggregation problem that it could face due to the geographical distance of the market from the farms,” he said while addressing the International Conference on the Eastern Himalayas organised by the Centre for Northeast Studies and Policy Research at the Jamia Millia Islamia here Feb 11-13.
This project was announced in 2003 by the government. However, it is only after 2010 that it has been moving on a fast track. The Sikkim Organic Mission is the nodal agency to implement and monitor the programme for implementation in a time-bound manner.
However, Gurung said that, if implemented, the project will have long-term benefits for the state on climate protection and promoting eco-tourism.
“Organic farming helps in lowering the emission of green house gases, restores water in the soil, increases nutrient, stops use of synthetic fertilizers, decreases soil erosion and helps in improving biodiversity,” he said.

ORGANIC LOWERS EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES

GREENFIELD, Mass — The Organic Trade Association issued the following news release:
These data confirm what numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown: that organic products have significantly lower rates of pesticide residues, while the few products that do show trace chemicals are at much lower levels than the average for conventional produce.
The data reported by CBC show that conventional produce is 70 percent more likely to contain pesticide residues, and conventional products tested above the maximum allowed levels 2.5 times more often than organic.
Test results published in December show that organophosphate pesticide levels in children in Toronto plummeted as soon as they began eating an organic diet. Unfortunately, agricultural pesticides now contaminate every part of our lives: from our soil and drinking water to fetal cord blood. We believe firmly that organic is the only option for consumers who wish to reduce their exposure to persistent and synthetic chemical pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs.
Canadian consumers can trust that federal law now governs organic products. All imported and domestic products must meet Canadian standard requirements in order to be sold as organic. In addition to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s inspection and enforcement of organic products on retail shelves, organic farms and processing facilities are subject to regular on-site inspections, making organic products the most scrutinized and controlled foods in our market.
The organic sector fully expects CFIA to take full enforcement action on any producers shown to have used a prohibited substance on organic products.
For many farmers and consumers, organic is much more than the absence of toxic and synthetic pesticides–organic is about the use of humane standards for animals, increasing biodiversity on farms and in nature, and fostering resilient and adaptable plants and soils that reduce our carbon footprint. In addition to all these things, consumers who choose organic know they are choosing products that do not use GMOs, artificial colors, additives or flavors.

The grand organic food opera

Ethical and health concerns are motivating people to eat wisely and well. Some of them share with Michael Patrao simple rules for healthy living.

Like Cliff Richard who sang, ‘Searching for a Green Light’, people in Bangalore, with depleting green cover and increasing stress and pollution, are looking for solutions which will keep their sanity and health intact.

A growing number of Bangaloreans are consciously choosing organic food. They have a wide choice as a number of outlets have sprung up across the City offering organic fruits, vegetables, pulses, spices and other food items. Bakeries and supermarkets stock whole-grain and multi-grain bread, biscuits and even noodles, unheard of a decade ago. Branded and certified organic food products are available in most supermarkets besides exclusive organic outlets.

Green tea, said to have anti-oxidant and anti-cholesterol properties, savoured without
milk or sugar, is slowly replacing conventional tea. It is quite a trend in many corporate offices in the City.

The consumer of organic food is today wiser and understands that organic vegetables and fruits cannot look uniformly similar and evenly coloured like the imported, hybrid and genetically modified fruits and vegetables which have flooded the market. For instance, the informed consumer does not expect a tomato to be perfectly-shaped and have a bright red hue.

There is a marked preference for food that is cooked without additives, preservatives, baking soda, ajinomoto, hydrogenated fats and artificial flavours and colours. The dark green palak paneer, the vivid orange kalmi kabab and the bright blue aerated drink, all made to look appealing with added colours, do not find favour with many consumers.
A major drawback in shopping for organic produce is the price, which is marginally higher. However, the upwardly mobile Bangalorean does not mind shelling out a little extra for quality and good health.

Indian organic food now available in UAE

DUBAI: Organic food products from Indian farms will now be made available to UAE residents as part of a new deal signed between a leading UAE supermarket chain and an Indian organic food producer, according to a media report.
More than 80 organic food products including cereals, pulses, spices and fruit juices will be sold across the country in Choithrams stores, following the chain’s partnership with Indian organic food producer, 24 Mantra Organic.
The new product line is expected to be more affordable than existing organic products in the UAE.
“We already have organic products but this is the first time Indian organic products will be sold in our stores. We will introduce more organic products if there is a demand from customers,” Subhash Kurup, retail marketing manager of Choithrams, told the Khaleej Times.
The company, which produces popular Brown rice, peanut and wheat products, is putting strict quality control measures in place to meet international hygiene and food safety regulations.
“Organic food is all about trust. We have control from the seed to the kitchen and each food product can be traced back to the farm and the farmer who cultivated it,” Raj Seelam, managing director of 24 Mantra Organic, told the paper.