History and Different Certification Standards in Organic Farming - Report Example

Table of Contents Introduction 2 Basic information on Organic Agriculture 4 History of Organic Farming 5 Different Certification Standards in Organic Farming 7 Current Market Condition 11 Merits & Demerits 15 Conclusion 18 References 19 Introduction The agricultural sector has undergone constant changes as it started with the process of using traditional method of production which was replaced by use of fertilizers and pesticides has again seen changes and has resulted in an increase use of organic matter. This has led towards the development of policies which favors the use of fertilizers which are organic and support the use of green manures to restore the required nutrients in the soil. Organic farming will thereby help to increase the overall process of working in the agricultural sector as it will help to gain sustainability and can be developed based on the local farming conditions which will thereby have a positive impact on the economy. Economies have started to use the model of agricultural farming which has shifted the focus and increased the production of organic products as shown below (Begley, 2009) The above chart clearly highlights that the organic sector has developed based on different fundamentals and have looked to transform the entire business working style. Economies have adopted the model of organic farming based on the premise that the decisions benefit the economy. This will require that the proponents are able to take rationale decisions through which productive results can be achieved and the overall framework of cultivation can be changed. The overall effect also aims at developing direct customer producer relationship by the development of smaller farms and enterprise that focuses on using the organic form of production thereby ensuring that the products which are supplied are better (Curl, 2003). Organic farming is still in is nascent phase and forms a very small part of the total agribusiness which the world carries out. The global market and politics have thereby made the required changes through the development of different policies which has thereby increased the role and importance of organic farming. The report explores the organic sector by highlighting the history of the organic sector; the development of different certifications which is provided in the organic sector and the role or importance the certification has; the current market situation in relation to organic farming and highlighting the countries involved in organic farming, the commodities traded and so on; the entire strength and weakness of the process which will look into government policies, production, supply chain and so on. The overall analysis will thereby help to provide useful insights through which the required changes and developments can be made so that the different aspects of organic farming can be improved for better performance. Basic Information on Organic Agriculture The field of organic agriculture has changed with time and has increased and widened their scope to include a lot of different things. This is defined as a process where farmers instead of using the synthesized fertilizers and pesticides use green manures and other fertilizers which help to restore agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity so that long term fertility of the soil can be maintained which will help to improve the process of growing agriculture (Stokstad, 2002). Organic farming which was started on a concept of having a few products has grown and looks to include the following (Begley, 2009) The above chart highlights that organic farming has grown and tends to include full organic and biodynamic supply chain so that the different impact which it creates on the biodiversity can be better understood and measures can be taken to promote a culture which aims at improving the overall condition of the soil. This has made the process of organic agriculture to focus on different areas through which productivity can be improved and has looked towards increasing the kind of products which are used for organic farming, increase in the farm, increase in yield, increase in operations, and so on. The overall impact has thereby been positive and has brought the required changes and provided the required dimensions through which better productivity has been achieved. History of Organic Farming The organic sector has seen widespread growth and has brought about the changes in which the organic farming sector performs. In the earlier decades when there was no synthesized products like pesticides fertilizers, biocides, medicines, mechanization and fossil fuels farmers relied on the green manures and legumes to ensure that the fertility of the soil was enriched so that agriculture could take place without any problems. This made the farmers rely on method which were biologically better and aimed at improving the overall condition of the agricultural society. Farmers looked towards using animals and human waste along with leguminous plant to retrieve the fertility of the soil which thereby helped to ensure better farm production. The changes being adopted by farmers brought about the required change through which the organic sector was able to grow. This can be seen from the chart shown below (Begley, 2009) The above chart shows the time line and the changes which has taken in the organic farming sector as it has witnessed developments which have ensured development of better standards and process to ensure that the products produced using the organic process is better for consumption. The process shows that the growth has been so immense that it has resulted in Demeter certified production, certified organic production and eco-agriculture integrated production which has transformed the entire process of carrying out operations and will further help to bring different revolutionary changes in the process of farming compared to the one which was carried out previously. It was during 1924 that people got attracted to the method using in cultivating different agricultural products which highlighted that fertilizers and pesticides which were used were non organic and had an impact on human health as well as the biodiversity. The previous years were period when the main objective of cultivation was done on small farm lands and farmers were cautious about the long term potential. Slowly with changing times and growth the government ensured more powers and brought the required changes in the area of farmland used for consumption as shown below (Begley, 2009) The period clearly highlights that farmland area which was used for agriculture slowly increased and thereby helped to develop a mechanism through which better farm yield was available. Different Certification Standards in Organic Farming The growth in the organic farming sector has increased the rules and regulations with the development of different bodies and institutions which look over the entire process of carrying out the different activities. IFOAM is one such organization which has developed the and laid the different principles which the organic farming sector has to follow and looks towards providing certification to bodies which work on the concept of organic farming. This led towards the growth and presence of the first organic certification called “Demeter” which highlighted the different characteristics and process which has to be used in the production process. Some of the other renowned and growing certification along with their logos are as (Harder, 2005) The different certification clearly lays down the process which the organization or the institutions looking to get the required certification has to follow. IFOAM has clearly laid down the different principles and guidelines which have to be followed by organization looking to work on the concept of being organic. In the beginning seven major principles and guidelines where provided which has been slowly increased and added with new changes so that the overall process and style of working ensures better productivity. Despite, continuous changes and development in the rules and regulations there still exists some gaps which have to be filled so that the organic sector grows and provides better quality products to the society. This has led towards the following process to be followed by organization seeking for a certification which is as (Fetter and Julie, 2002) The above chart clearly highlights the different steps and process which helps to gain the required certification and shows its linkage with the highest bodies. This thereby ensures that the certification which is provided is easily acceptable and draws the line through which better products can be provided. Following the different guidelines and process ensures that organic farming is able to increase its relevance and work on a principle through which better customer satisfaction becomes possible as the product will be better for consumption and will have the required nutrients that the human body requires. The development of different certification has helped to develop the required rules and measures which will act as a point of checking whether the organization works as an organic sector and will thereby help to produce food products which are better and fitter for human consumption (Rai, 2006). This will also help to improve the nutrient in the soil thereby preserving biodiversity and will help to reduce the different type of pollution which arises due to water and land usage Current Market Condition The world economies have started to witness a change in the organic products which is grown as the organic fields have increased and more and more focus is being laid to develop the sector. The current market situation due to increase in disease and rising level of pollution has caught the attention of all and has looked towards making major changes in the overall market working style. The present graphics highlights that 26 million hectares of land is presently used for organic farming and the global marketing value of the same is estimated at US$25 billion. This has been further broken down as follows for major economies to highlight the manner in which contribution towards the organic sector has grown (Begley, 2009) Economies Percentage of Organic Farm European Union 2.30% Australia 2.20% USA 0.23% Canada 1.30% Uganda 1.39% Srilanka 0.65% Tunisia 0.36% Egypt 0.19% China 0.06% India 0.03% Philippines 0.02% The above chart highlights that the growth in the organic sector can be seen all around the globe and includes regions like Europe, North America, Oceania, Central and South America, Asia and Africa. While considering the total agribusiness all over the world it is seen that organic farming consist around 2% of the total farming thereby highlighting the wide gap which is still prevalent and needs to be filled. This can be seen from the changes that have been witnessed in the food products which are grown and are shown below (Begley, 2009) A look at the different commodities which is traded shows that wheat, rice, food grain, vegetables, fruits and other items which are used for consumption are produced in small quantities to make up for the 2% of the world agribusiness. This will require a complete change in the outlook and focus so that economies lay importance to organic farming and develop the required mechanism through which it is carried out. This has also brought about increasing awareness from the consumers towards organic products and has directly impacted the sale of organic products as shown below (Begley, 2009) The above chart highlights that with an increase in the organic farms and organic farming methods growth has been witnessed in the sale of the same. This is continuously increasing every year which will thereby ensure that more and more products continue to be sold and will provide a lucrative market for the different products and increase the chances of being successful over a longer period of time. The present market situation clearly highlights that the growth in the organic farming sector has become possible due to the combined effort of the society and the government and has developed different private labels along with local labels and so on which is shown below (Begley, 2009) The above chart highlights that the current market situation highlights the growth in private labels due to increased certification which the different players have got and have looked at performing in such a manner that the requirements of the society are delivered. This has ensured the development of new brands which are organic and provides an scope through which the business performance is bound to grow over a period of time. Thus, the current market situation highlights a bright prospect for the organic sector and the manner in which the demand for organic products are increasing the change will be much higher and will help to bring about the required change through which demand for the organic product increases (Wernick and William, 2007). This will thereby provide an opportunity through which demand for organic food will increase in the future and will provide the required directives through which the business is able to grow. Merits & Demerits The different development and changes in the organic sector has helped to bring a complete transformation but still highlights the different challenges which is been seen from areas like ecological justice, animal welfare, fair trade, supply chain development, productivity limitation, and regional adaptation and harmonization of trade. This can be seen from the following chart which shows that manner in which organic farming has changed (Dangour, 2009) The above chart highlights that organic farming which was present in the 19th century brought a complete turnaround in the organic farming sector. The period has seen the development of different supply chain which ensures that both the raw materials and finished products are easy available and is sold in the market. The major change came after Second World War when the process of solidification stated to grow and ensured that people move towards increase use of fertilizers and organic matter which thereby helped to improve productivity at the same time ensures that the fertility of the earth soil was restored (Rosi-Marshall, 2007). Further, the strategy of developing the organic farming has ensured that different channels are developed which has helped to strengthen the organic sector further and provides a new directive through which growth becomes possible. This is shown below (Begley, 2009) The development of the organic sector has thereby been developed on the model through which better penetration becomes possible so that the overall effectiveness can be increased. This has helped to bring the required transformation and has helped to develop the process of organic farming. This has been matched by the development of different bodies and institutions which look towards ensuring that proper certification is received and the organization works towards being organic. This will help to create a positive impact as it will help to bring forward the different direction and areas through which overall productivity will improve and will have a positive impact on the health of the society. There are still concern regarding the strategies that have been chosen and the effectiveness it will provide over a period of time. The fact that the world bodies have become commercialized and look towards maximizing the returns and profits have made economies not look into the entire situation with the same eagerness and enthusiasm which is required. This raises fear that the entire process might not bring the same effective result which is being aimed at and might have an impact on the overall style of working (Baker, 2002). This has been backed by the fact that there is still a lack of awareness and government initiative in the same direction. Increasing the role of the government and ensuring better commitment from the employees at all level will help to bring the required transformation through which the economy will be able to further develop the process of organic farming. This will help to bring the required changes and ensure that the development of the organic sector is done on grounds which will help to enhance the overall effectiveness of style through which the organic sector works. Conclusion The agriculture sector has witnessed a continuous change and development which is aimed at improving the present condition and looks at supplying organic products which are better for consumption. This has led towards the development of policies which favors the use of fertilizers which are organic and support the use of green manures to restore the required nutrients in the soil. The organic sector has further witnessed a complete change with increase in the number of bodies providing certification and laying down the process and guidelines which they have to follow. This has ensured strictness and has improved the overall productivity through the organic farming sector. This has been further matched by the fact that the overall process has helped to develop the supply chain, increased private labels and has completely changed the style through which the organic farming sector works. The current market situation highlights a bright prospect for the organic sector and the manner in which the demand for organic products are increasing the change will be much higher and will help to bring about the required change through which demand for the organic product increases. This will thereby provide an opportunity through which demand for organic food will increase in the future and will provide the required directives through which the business is able to grow. This will thereby increase the chances of penetrating better in the market and will increase the concern towards the organic sector and make more and more players develop strategies which are focused on improving the organic sector so that the agricultural produce is better and has the required nutrients. This will also help to reduce the level of pollution and will help to bring a complete change and ensure that the organic farming sector provides an incentive to farmers and the sector grows. References Baker, B. (2002). Pesticide residues in conventional, integrated pest management (IPM)- grown and organic foods: insights from three US data sets. Food Additives and Contaminants 19(5): 427–446 Begley, S. (2009). Early exposure to common chemicals may be programming kids to be fat. Newsweek 154 (12): 56–62 Curl, C. (2003). Organophosphorus pesticide exposure of urban and suburban pre-school children with organic and conventional diets. Environmental Health Perspectives 111: 377–382 Dangour, A. (2009). Nutritional quality of organic foods: a systematic review. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 90: 680-685 Fetter, T. and Julie A. (2002). Variation in organic standards prior to the National Organic Program. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 17(2): 55–74 Harder, B. (2005). Organic choice: pesticides vanish from body after change in diet. Science News 168(13): 197–198. Rai, M.K. (ed.) (2006). Microbial Biofertilizers. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida. 252–256 Rosi-Marshall, E. (2007). Toxins in transgenic crop byproducts may affect headwater stream ecosystems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States 104(41): 16204-16208 Wernick, S. and William, L. (2007). Motivations and practices of organic farmers. Compost Science 77(6): 20–24 Read More