In the rush to produce more an more crops to satisfy growing demand producers have had to resort to using a lethal “cocktail” of pesticides to control disease and insect attack in conventional farming.
On the other hand, organic farming is quickly growing around the world as a different practice to have food grown, handled and processed. Although the choice of consuming organic products is personal, freshness, taste, health and environmental protection are factors related to this kind of farming that should make us think not only about ourselves but also about our families, farmers, animals and planet. Costa Rican government should support organic farming.
With this method, farmers promote the practice of restoring, maintaining and enhancing the harmony of the environment and therefore reducing pollution. As Winter and Davis (2006) exemplify, “Organic farmers use animal and crop wastes, botanical, biological, or non synthetic materials that can be broken down quickly by oxygen and sunlight”. Also, there are basic international standards established by IFOAM that organic farmers must implement to sell their products.
There are several studies which demonstrate that organic products present a lower amount of pesticides than conventionally farmed products. It is necessary to think about health and the risks pesticides cause. Some other studies have been developed to determine how dangerous exposure to pesticides can be. According to Winter and Davis (2006), “occupational exposure to pesticides presents a much greater health risk than consumer exposure to pesticides”. People opposing the consumption of organic products may be indifferent to this fact because they are not directly affected but it is imperative to understand that there really is a health risk in conventional farming with all chemicals, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used and this situation could change or be prevented with organic farming.
People who may oppose the consumption of organic products would argue that these products are not so healthy and are not worth the price. Nevertheless, the Institute of Food Technologists in its summary explains how organic products lead to more nutrients and antioxidants, in addition, they can prevent illnesses as cancer and obesity. (2006)
Now we can analyze more deeply the reasons for buying organic products. It is still a personal choice but a global opportunity to a better preserved planet and human race.
To finish, our Costa Rican government should promote organic farming. It would benefit rural areas by creating more job opportunities, contributing to eco-tourism and new areas of research for scientists. There should be more financial security to support organic farmers. Another good strategy would be campaigns. New and varied marketing opportunities to promote organic products consumption will give pride to producers and motivation to consumers aside from more education about food and nutrition.
It is truly convenient to consume organic products to take more care of our health and our lands and animals. Should we still wonder if organic foods are worth the price?
Arelys Fernandez
I agree with the idea of looking after our health. it is true that many products nowadays contain high amounts of chemicals that threaten our body and the way it functions. Organic food products are a good option to avoid getting in contact with those chemicals. However, the reason why many products have traces of chemicals is the excesive use of them. In other words, farmers tend to use more chemicals than what`s recommended. For instance, I disagree with the idea of stigmatizing pesticides. Most of the the health problems related to them are the result of inappropiate management and use of these chemicals.
ReplyDelete-Yana Alfaro