A large number of Indians are becoming aware of the serious impact on their health and lifestyle due to unclean air, polluted water and toxic Food. Increased international exposure and access to multiple channels of communication has led to increasing concern about diseases in urban lifestyles. Urban India has social media to thank for bringing health awareness forward. This has given them more information about the harmful effects of chemicals used in agriculture. The media has also created a certain awareness that changes in diet and lifestyle are now imperative to prevent most diseases. Diseases can be avoided. Celebrities are also making people aware of the health benefits of Organic Food and food safety issues. This general awareness has helped attract more and more people towards organic food.
Organic produce is grown with a socially and environmentally sensitive approach, without chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic food gives us a healthy life option. It guarantees that no toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are used in the production of organic food, and that animals are not given antibiotics or growth hormones. In fact, it reassures consumers that high farming standards have been met while preserving the soil's fertility and regenerative capacity. In India, currently consumption of organic food is largely limited to metropolitan cities and their neighbourhoods. Rural India is still not fully aware of the benefits of organic food. However, their historical knowledge of traditional farming practices has protected them from severe urban food pollution.
Contaminants in fruits and vegetables and their ill effects on children first drew parents' attention to organic foods. Today, the decision is left up to consumers, as regular and organic versions are available for consumption in most food categories. To encourage organic food production, the Government of India has implemented the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP). Under NPOP, the area of organic certification has already crossed 3.56 million hectares. Among the states Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have the largest share of land under organic certification. Due to the stringent standards enforced in the country, it is pleasing to note that the global demand for Indian organic products is increasing and exports worth millions of dollars have been recorded. These are the super results of years ago a great man named Deepak Sachde started a movement for Indian farmers to return to natural agriculture.
The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has already recorded a forty percent growth in organic food exports – oilseeds, tea, sugar, grains, spices, pulses – in the last few years – only to the United States and Europe. does not come It is getting good reception from other countries too. This export increase has been made possible mainly due to the approvals given by the European Commission and Switzerland for unprocessed plant products and the assessment given by the USDA.
Consumers are protected by the legal process of organic food certification. Certification of Indian foodgrains, pulses, vegetables and fruits is increasing and is currently valued at around Rs. 2,500 crores. However, for the organic food movement to firmly establish itself in the country, more awareness and trust building will be needed in ways other than certification. Consumers are increasingly demanding in their demand for food traceability as it goes through various production processes from farm to kitchen. They have a right to know what they are eating. Ultimately it will be government intervention that will definitely establish organic products that can be given industry status for long-term survival to begin with.
