Bio Farming

Farmers face a multitude of plant pests and diseases. Pressures from insects, viruses, weeds and weather can impose considerable damage on crops, lowering yields and raising costs.


Traditionally, farmers have relied on combinations of herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers and irrigated water to protect their crops and boost production. Each of these inputs adds to the cost of the product, but they are necessary investments. In addition to the economic costs, these inputs also may exact environmental costs.

Biotechnology Increases Options for Farmers

Plants developed to defend themselves against insect pests or diseases or to tolerate certain herbicides represent the first generation of biotechnology crops. Crops developed using biotechnology give farmers greater flexibility and safer, more innovative choices in pest management. The economic and environmental benefits of biotech crops have been documented in comprehensive reports from the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.

Insect-Protected Crops - Biotechnology is used to strengthen a crop's own ability to defend itself against destructive insects, reducing, and sometimes eliminating, the need for chemical pesticides. The plants are given the genetic ability to produce a protein-toxic to certain insects but harmless to humans and animals-that is found in a common soil bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt. The current generation of Bt cotton, corn and potatoes protects against the European corn borer, the cotton and pink bollworms, and the Colorado potato beetle, respectively. Other insect-protected plants in development include soybean, peanut, broccoli and eggplant. A nematode-resistant pineapple also is in development.

Organic Food protects environment and animal rights

Organically grown food is also better for the environment because it promotes sustainability. Methods of growing organic food are done in a way to greatly reduce or eliminate environmental pollution. The use of synthetic chemicals is prohibited so that there is no compromising the quality of the soil, water and air. Furthermore, a main focus of organic farmers is the cultivation of healthy soil and the symbiotic relationship between the land, water, air, crops and animals.

Support Local Economy

Many people tout that organic food just tastes better; however, this might be a testament to where the food originates versus how it is grown. Most conventionally grown food has to travel long distances before it reaches your local supermarket, and to preserve its appearance and taste it's often injected with artificial dyes and preservatives. But food grown organically by local farmers and sold directly through markets and roadside stands tastes better because it is fresh. More importantly, however, is that locally grown organic food supports area farms and vendors.

Animal Rights

Animals such as cattle, and poultry that are raised for organic food products are done so humanely. Unlike animals on factory farms that must endure cramped, often filthy living conditions, it is mandated that animals on organic farms be given certain rights. These rights include access to natural light and open pastures, as well as a diet of grass and organic grain. In addition, these farms are often graded on how handlers treat their animals and the conditions under which they are slaughtered. In short, organic farmers ensure that their animals receive the best possible treatment and living conditions during their lifetime.

Spreading the Organic word

People are exploring the world of organic food and discovering the many benefits of eating organic health foods. Many people try every diet possible to lose weight and many different food combinations in feeble attempts at eating better without changing much in terms of the actual food. The newest trend in food is eating organic food and for good reason. Eating organic means, in English, that you are being better to yourself and the earth because you’re putting cleaner food in your mouth. Let’s discuss organic health food as a better food choice.

You may be asking yourself why “organic” matters in terms of it being a healthier choice. It means produce has been raised without pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals commonly employed on commercial farms to ward off pests, inject nutrients into the soil and encourage growth. Dairy products are raised without the hormones, such as bovine growth hormone, or BGH, that some commercial farms employ to get more milk out of their dairy cows, which translates into buttermilk, cream and cheese among other products. Cows, goats, chickens and other farm animals are raised in clean environments, fed organic, mineral rich feed and permitted to roam freely. They are not given hormones of any kind or contained in pens, stalls or cages, as some animals are on commercial farms.

When you’re eating organic food, what is not in them is as important, if not more so, than what is in them that benefits you. Artificial colors and flavors, artificial sweeteners, additives and preservatives are all prohibited in organic farming. This is important, especially for children as studies suggest artificial colors and preservatives, among other ingredients, may contribute to hyperactivity in children.

Another important reason why organic health food is better for you is what it lacks. Organic farmers rotate their crops to allow the land to recover and fertilize the land with compost which means everything is natural and chemical free. Birds and other natural pest control methods are used on organic farms in lieu of pesticides and herbicides. When these chemicals don’t touch the food you eat, they don’t touch you making organic health food a healthier choice for you.

Organic Food Facts

Organic food is much more rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre and retains the levels of nutrients for much longer

Your body will be more resistant to disease as it will have higher levels of the essential nutrients it needs to fight off infection

The average non organic fruit contains more than 20 pesticides

You will have more energy through consuming lower levels of toxins and chemicals that slow your body down

If you are eating dairy or farm produce then you are also eating the chemicals, drugs and growth hormones given to the animals

Organic food producers must meet stringent standards

Organic farms respect our water resources and do not leach nitrogen’s and other pollutants from their soil

Organic food just tastes so much better!

Worms and other micro-organisms thrive in the naturally fertilized soil that can be sterile on intensive, and chemically enhanced farms.

Organic Farms grow various crops and therefore encourage a balanced Ecosystem

Besides the obvious benefit of taste, there are also environmental aspects such as fewer chemicals in the soil leading to less erosion of the countryside and pollution of our rivers with nitrates.