IBF

ORGANIC FOOD & FARM-ING

PROJECT BY-TYBBI

JIGAR PATEL-32SUBHAM RAMCHANDANI-42

PANKAJ RAHEJA-41ARIHANT JAIN-18

AYUSH GADA-SIDDHARTH GOYAL-

INTRODUCTION

- Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control.

- Depending on whose definition is used, organic farming uses fertilizers and pesticides (which include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides) if they are considered natural (such as bone meal from animals or pyrethrin from flowers), but it excludes or strictly limits the use of various methods (including synthetic petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides; plant growth regulators such as hormones; antibiotic use in livestock; genetically modi-fied organisms; human sewage sludge; and nanomaterials.) for reasons in-cluding sustainability, openness, independence, health, and safety.

- Organic agricultural methods are internationally regulated and legally en-forced by many nations, based in large part on the standards set by the In-ternational Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), an in-ternational umbrella organization for organic farming organizations estab-lished in 1972.

- The USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) definition as of April 1995 is: Organic agriculture is an ecological production management sys-tem that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil bi-ological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on man-agement practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.

- Since 1990 the market for organic food and other products has grown rapidly, reaching $63 billion worldwide in 2012.

- This demand has driven a similar increase in organically managed farm-land which has grown over the years 2001-2011 at a compounding rate of 8.9% per annum.

- As of 2011, approximately 37,000,000 hectares (91,000,000 acres) world-wide were farmed organically, representing approximately 0.9 percent of total world farmland.

1. Organic foods are foods produced by organic farming. - While the standards differ worldwide, organic farming in general features

cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of re-sources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.

- Synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not allowed, although cer-tain organically approved pesticides may be used under limited conditions. In general, organic foods are also not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or synthetic food additives.

- Currently, the European Union, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan and many other countries require producers to obtain special certification in order to market food as organic within their borders.

- In the context of these regulations, organic food is food produced in a way that complies with organic standards set by national governments and in-ternational organizations.

- Although the produce of kitchen gardens may be organic, selling food with the organic label is regulated by governmental food safety authorities, such as the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or European Commission.

- There is insufficient evidence to support claims that organic food is safer or healthier than conventional food. While there may be some differences in the nutrient and anti-nutrient contents of organically and conventionally produced food, the variable nature of food production and handling makes it difficult to generalize results.

- Claims that organic food tastes better are generally not supported by evi-dence.

International Federation of Organic Agriculture

Movements (IFOAM)

• The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is the worldwide umbrella organization for the organic agriculture movement, which represents close to 800 affiliates in 117 countries.

• IFOAM's declares its mission is to, "Lead, unite and assist the organic movement in its full diversity." and vision is "Worldwide adoption of ecologi-cally, socially and economically sound systems, based on the Principles of Organic Agriculture.

• Among its wide range of activities, IFOAM maintains an organic farming standard, and an organic accreditation and certification service.

International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements

AbbreviationIFOAM

Formation1972TypeNGOHeadquarters

Bonn, GermanyRegion servedGlobalMembership710 membersOfficial languageEnglishMain organGeneral AssemblyWebsitewww.ifoam.org

International Centre for Re-search in Organic Food Sys-

tems (ICROFS)

ICROFS initiates, coordinates, and participates in national and interna-tional research activities within organic farming and food systems. Our vision is, that the principles of organic farming on the basis of research and good management become a global reference for sustainability in food systems.

ICROFS is continuously active in disseminating organic research results and knowledge on the importance of organic food systems to the envi-ronment, nature and biodiversity, animal welfare, health, food safety and quality, economy, structural and market development as well as social significance. We do this by publishing information material about the lat-est research results, ease the access to present and relevant publications and by disseminating it to a wide range of stakeholders. 

ICROFS promotes an understanding of the characteristics of organic food systems and contributes to a knowledge-based development of or-ganic food systems, nationally and internationally.

ICROFS was founded in 2008 by the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. The centre is an expansion of the former Danish Agricul-tural Research Centre for Organic Farming (DARCOF). ICROFS is led by an international board of representatives from Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, IFOAM (international NGO for organics) and by Danish universi-ties and organisations.

ICROFS participates in the EU research Framework Programmes and has coordinated several projects. The Centre is an active partner in ISOFAR (International Society of Organic Agriculture Research) and FQH (Organic Food Quality and Health research network). Moreover, ICROFS has partic-ipated in the development of the European vision for an Organic Food and Farming Research Agenda 2025: "Organic knowledge for the fu-ture" and is an active partner in the technology platform TP Organics.

Thirteen knowledge syntheses from ICROFS so farSince 1998, ICROFS has carried out thirteen knowledge syntheses on key issues in organic farming and food systems

• nitrogen leaching and balances in conventional and organic production systems

• health and welfare in organic milk production• opportunities and barriers in organic pig production• nature quality in organic agriculture• groundwater protection and organic conversion• organic food and human health• breeding of grain and pulses and production of seed in organic

agriculture• consequences of genetically modified crops for organic agricul-

ture• reduction of fossil energy use and production of renewable en-

ergy in organic agriculture• opportunities for organic fish production in Denmark• challenges and prospects in the global development of organic

agriculture• opportunities and barriers for continued development, growth

and integrity in the Danish organic sector (2008) farming by continent

Newsletters by icrofsDecember 2014 (no. 3-4)Contents:

• Rewarding cross-Atlantic cooperation• Future CORE Organic Funding to be decided• New methods can reveal organic food fraud• ICROFS put food security on the agenda in Istanbul• Heated debate on organic farming• New project provides knowledge on how agro-ecology can norish the World• Hay-milk is suitable for high-quality cheese• Proteins from organic grown green crops are promising poultry feed• Parasitic Worms - a challenge in organic pig production• Organic diets are equally good for Rainbow trout fry as conventional diets

October 2014 (no. 2)Contents:

• International organic research: organic research in Hungary:• The development and state of organic agriculture in Hungary• Organic agricultural research in Hungary - current state and plans• Genetic variability of root and root hairs in spring wheat varieties

• Design of multi-species grass-clover fields for cattle feeding• Fous on robustness in organic broiler production• How to eliminate the requirement castration in organic pig production• Productivity and Growth in Organic Value Chains (ProGrov). Write-shop at the

4th Project Training and Project meeting 14-19 September 2014.• Brief news

June 2014 (no. 1)Contents:

• Eating quality of meat from organic beef based on crossbred animal• Animating Multicriteria Decision-making Processes in the Organic Value Chain• Ramsons can deliver taste and antibacterial effect in food preservation: From

nature to cultivation• Climate impact of mobile green manures• Organic rainbow trout – Does the diet composition influence the fish health?• Brief news

December 2013 (no 4)Theme: Organic Research in AustraliaContents:

• Organic agriculture and research in Australia• Organic consumer profiling• Childrens behaviour and pesticide exposure: Can organic food make a differ-

ence?• Dynamic controlled atmosphere for storage of organic apples• The common house fly removes undesirable bacterium in manure• Report: Organic Policy Summit 2013 in Budapest and the 4th International Con-

ference on Organic Agriculture Sciences in Eger, Hungary• Brief news

September 2013Contents:

• Theme ProGrOV: 3rd Project Training Workshop and Project Meeting, 8-15 Sep-tember 2013

• Hay production in North Europe• Improving the phosphorus effeiciency of organic farming systems• Species competition in mulitspecies grass swards• Organic farming systems: Driving for change, or digging in the same old dirt?• Brief news

June 2013 (no 2)Theme ProGrOV: Networks organization along organic foods value chanis in Kenya. Case: Kales in NairobiContents:

• SUMMER chickens "on herbs"

• Spotless apples under roof• Organic hay fields as a floral resource for bees and other flower-visiting insects• Larvae for layers• Brief newsDecember 2014 (no. 3-4)

Contents:• Rewarding cross-Atlantic cooperation• Future CORE Organic Funding to be decided• New methods can reveal organic food fraud• ICROFS put food security on the agenda in Istanbul• Heated debate on organic farming• New project provides knowledge on how agro-ecology can norish the World• Hay-milk is suitable for high-quality cheese• Proteins from organic grown green crops are promising poultry feed• Parasitic Worms - a challenge in organic pig production• Organic diets are equally good for Rainbow trout fry as conventional diets

October 2014 (no. 2)Contents:

• International organic research: organic research in Hungary:• The development and state of organic agriculture in Hungary• Organic agricultural research in Hungary - current state and plans• Genetic variability of root and root hairs in spring wheat varieties• Design of multi-species grass-clover fields for cattle feeding• Fous on robustness in organic broiler production• How to eliminate the requirement castration in organic pig production• Productivity and Growth in Organic Value Chains (ProGrov). Write-shop at the

4th Project Training and Project meeting 14-19 September 2014.• Brief news

Get the newsletter

June 2014 (no. 1)Contents:

• Eating quality of meat from organic beef based on crossbred animal• Animating Multicriteria Decision-making Processes in the Organic Value Chain• Ramsons can deliver taste and antibacterial effect in food preservation: From

nature to cultivation• Climate impact of mobile green manures• Organic rainbow trout – Does the diet composition influence the fish health?• Brief news

Get the newsletter

December 2013 (no 4)Theme: Organic Research in AustraliaContents:

• Organic agriculture and research in Australia• Organic consumer profiling• Childrens behaviour and pesticide exposure: Can organic food make a differ-

ence?

• Dynamic controlled atmosphere for storage of organic apples• The common house fly removes undesirable bacterium in manure• Report: Organic Policy Summit 2013 in Budapest and the 4th International Con-

ference on Organic Agriculture Sciences in Eger, Hungary• Brief news

Get the newsletter

September 2013Contents:

• Theme ProGrOV: 3rd Project Training Workshop and Project Meeting, 8-15 Sep-tember 2013

• Hay production in North Europe• Improving the phosphorus effeiciency of organic farming systems• Species competition in mulitspecies grass swards• Organic farming systems: Driving for change, or digging in the same old dirt?• Brief news

Get the newsletter

June 2013 (no 2)Theme ProGrOV: Networks organization along organic foods value chanis in Kenya. Case: Kales in NairobiContents:

• SUMMER chickens "on herbs"• Spotless apples under roof• Organic hay fields as a floral resource for bees and other flower-visiting insects• Larvae for layers• Brief news

Organic land distribution as per continents:

AFRICA In Africa, there are almost 900000 hectares of certified organic agricultural land (end 2007). This constitutes about three per-cent of the world’s organic agricultural land. The countries with the most organic land are Ethiopia (840’308 hectares), Uganda (296'203), and Tunisia (154'793 Hectares), . The highest shares of organic land are in São Tomé and Príncipe (5 percent), Uganda (2.3 percent) and Tunisia (1.6 percent). The majority of certified organic produce is destined for export markets, with the large majority being exported to the European Union, which is Africa’s largest market for agricultural produce. The African market for organic products is still small. Three countries have an organic regulation and seven are in the process of drafting one. the first African Organic Conference was held in Kampala, Uganda, from May 19–22, 2009. (FiBL, IFOAM, ITC 2009).

AsiaThe total organic area in Asia is nearly 2.9 million hectares. This constitutes nine percent of the world’s organic agricultural land. 230’000 producers were reported. The leading countries are China (1.6 million hectares) and India (1 million hectares). The highest shares of organic land of all agricultural land are in Timor Leste (seven percent). Organic wild collection areas play a major role in India and China. Production of final processed products is grow-ing, although a majority of production is still fresh produce and field crops with low value-added processing, such as dry or processed raw ingredients. Aqua-culture (shrimp and fish) on the other hand, is emerging in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar. Textiles is another important trend. Sector growth is now also driven by imports, and local markets have taken off in many of the big cities in the South and Eastern part of region be-sides Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Jakarta, Delhi, Bangalore and other cities are in-creasing internal consumption of organic products. Nine organic regulations are in place. In seven countries work on national standards and regulations is in progress.

EuropeAs of the end of 2007, 7.8 million hectares in Europe were managed or-ganically by more than 200,000 farms. In the European Union, 7.2 mil-lion hectares were under organic management, with more than 180,000 organic farms. 1.9 percent of the European agricultural area and four percent of the agricultural area in the European Union is organic. Twenty-four percent of the world's organic land is in Europe. The coun-tries with the largest organic area are Italy (1,150,253 hectares), Spain (988,323 hectares) and Germany (865,336 hectares). The highest per-centages are in Liechtenstein (29 percent), Austria (13 percent) and Switzerland (11 percent). Compared to 2006, organic land increased by more than 0.3 million hectares. Sales of organic products were approxi-mately 16 billion Euros in 2007. The largest market for organic products in 2007 was Germany with a turnover of 5.3 billion Euros (2008: 5.8 bil-lion Euros), followed by the UK (2.6 billion Euros), France and Italy (both 1.9 billion Euros). As a portion of the total market share, the highest lev-els have been reached in Austria, Denmark and Switzerland, with around five percent for organic products. The highest per capita spend-ing is also in these countries. In 2012 the total market share for organic products reached 7.8 percent in Denmark, the highest market share in the world.Support for organic farming in the European Union and the neighboring coun-tries includes grants under rural development programs, legal protection and a European as well as national action plans. One of the key instruments of the European Action Plan on organic food and farming, an information cam-paign, was launched during 2008, with the aim of increasing awareness of or-ganic farming throughout the European Union. Furthermore, most EU mem-ber states have national action plans. In order to boost organic farming re-search, a technology platform joining the efforts of industry and civil society in defining organic research priorities and defending them vis-à-vis the policy-makers was launched in December 2008. The platform’s vision paper reveals the potential of organic food production to mitigate some of the major global problems from climate change and food security, to the whole range of socio-economic challenges in the rural areas.(FiBL, IFOAM, ITC 2009).

North AmericaIn North America, almost 2.2 million hectares are managed organically, repre-senting approximately a 0.6 percent share of the total agricultural area. There

are is 12,064 organic farms. The major part of the organic land is in the US (1.6 million hectares in 2005). Seven percent of the world’s organic agricultural land is in North America. Valued at more than 20 billion US Dollars in 2007 (Organic Monitor), the North American market accounted for 45 percent of global revenues. Growing consumer demand for healthy & nutritious foods and increasing distribution in conventional grocery chan-nels are the major drivers of market growth. The U.S. organic industry grew 21 percent in sales in 2006, and was forecast to experience 18 percent sales growth each year on average from 2007 through 2010. Whether this rate will actually be realized is uncertain due to the economic downturn and reduction in consumer spending in the last quarter of 2008. Likewise, a downturn is ex-pected in Canada, even though the market growth in Canada, paired with the introduction of the new organic regulations, should provide a good outlook over the coming years. In the United States, the National Organic Program has been in force since 2002. Canada has had a strong organic standard since 1999; this had been, however, voluntary and not supported by regula-tion. Canada’s Organic Product Regulation will be fully implemented on June 30, 2009. Canadian labeling requirements will be very similar to those of the US and the EU. In 2008, the new Farm Bill was passed by the US Congress. Increasing expenditures on organic agriculture and programs to approxi-mately 112 million US Dollars1 over the course of its five-year life, the 2008 Farm Bill provides a fivefold increase for the organic sector compared with federal funding in the previous bill.

WWOOF(orginally called working weekends on or-

ganic farms)

WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportuni-ties to learn about organic lifestyles

WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help.

Many countries have national WWOOF groups. Look in the drop down menu or list below to find where they are. 

Other countries have hosts - but no national WWOOF group as yet! 

Originally called “Working Weekends on Organic Farms”, WWOOF came into being in England, in Autumn 1971, when Sue Coppard, a secretary living and working in London, recognised the need for people like herself,  who did not have the means or the opportunity, to access the countryside and support the organic movement.Her idea started with a trial working weekend for four people at a bio dy-namic farm at Emerson College in Sussex, arranged through a contact in the Soil Association. The weekend was a great success and things gathered momentum very quickly. Soon many more organic farmers and smallhold-ers were willing to host people keen to work on their farms in return for food and accommodation (WWOOFers). Hosts and WWOOFers made new friends and enjoyed the experience of exchanging assistance and knowledge.

WHERE IT ALL STARTEDWWOOF UK developed quickly with the organisation adapting its systems to meet the needs of WWOOFers and hosts. It remains flex-

ible and adaptable and continues to benefit greatly from enthusias-tic grassroots input and feedback. Offers of help from members are actively encouraged. All suggestions are aired and discussed and many implemented. WWOOF's ethos is one of evolution and constant improvement. Now there are autonomous WWOOF organisations in many countries; all of whom have their own ways of organising themselves. However they all have similar aims. Hosts in countries without a national group are listed by WWOOF Independents.

A MATURING ORGANISATIONIn the year 2000 the first International WWOOF conference was held with representatives from 15 countries.It was agreed to:

• Develop guidelines as to what is meant by being a WWOOFer, a WWOOF host and to go WWOOFing.

• Encourage and support emerging WWOOF organisations in de-veloping countries.

THE PRESENT:In the last few years many new WWOOF organisations have been created with the help and support of existing WWOOF groups so that in 2012 there are more than 50 WWOOF groups world wide.When the demand for longer periods on farms occurred, the name waschanged from "Working Weekends on Organic Farms" to "Willing Workers On Organic Farms". However the use of the word “work” in the title caused problems in some regions as the organisation be-came inappropriately connected with migrant work and viewed as a clandestine migrant worker organisation.As a result of this – and in recognition of the world wide nature of the organisation we have become "World Wide Opportunities On Or-ganic Farms". This change of name was accepted at the meeting in the year 2000, though some WWOOF groups still prefer to use old versions of the name.

By sharing the experience of countries that have successfully nego-tiated national recognition of WWOOF as a bone fide cultural ex-change and learning experience it is hoped that national organisa-tions still having problems with their immigration authorities will be able to influence change.

The advantages of acting together on the world stage has be-come more and more important for WWOOF groups over the years and at another international meeting in Korea in 2011 it was agreed that a Federation of WWOOF Organisations (FOWO) should be formed. This vision should become a reality in 2013, when more than 50 WWOOF groups worldwide will become affiliated to the Fed-eration.WWOOF is now recognised as having an important contribution to make in the wider organic world as it brings more and more people into direct contact with organic growers both independently and through other organisations who are trying to influence policy and consumer demand. Through its newsletters WWOOF organisations inform their members of organic news, views, jobs and training.WWOOF is still growing and 'to wwoof' has entered languages in its own right. WWOOFers have given 1000's of hours of help to organic growers and WWOOF hosts have given their time and experience to WWOOFers and opened the door to a way of living that continues to fundamentally change people's lives.

OFAIThe Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI) was set up by the seniormost members of India’s organic farming community in the year 2002. The association was primarily set up to pro-mote organic farming, lobby with government agencies and de-partments to pay more attention to sustainable agriculture, and assist farmers using chemicals and pesticides to convert successfully to organic farming methods.

While the association has formulated programmes to assist or-ganic farmers with organic certification and also participates fully in the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) of organic certification designed mostly for small and marginal farmers, it has steadfastly resisted becoming an agency for the procure-ment and distribution of organic produce. It prefers instead to promote and support individuals, communities, NGOs and net-works who are in the business of organic marketing.OFAI was formally registered under the Societies Registration Act only in 2006, after the rules of the association were dis-

cussed and vetted by several meetings of organic farmers and NGOs involved in the promotion of organic farming.OFAI today remains the only membership-based national asso-ciation of organic farmers, organic farming promoters and green stores. By charter, the President of the association will always be an organic farmer. The association will also strive to ensure gender equality in all its activities. It campaigns actively against the introduction of genetically modified organisms and seeds in India’s agriculture.

ORGANIC FARMING CAN FEED THE WORLD?

NaturalNews) One of the arguments often used to defend genetically-modified (GM) crops purports that biotechnology is necessary to feed the world, as non-GM and organic farming methods by themselves are incapable of pro-ducing enough food for everyone. But the truth of the matter is that organic farming by itself is fully capable of feeding the world -- we just need to make a few changes to the way we grow and raise our food, which includes putting an end to the factory farming methods that are destroying our health and the planet.

In a report entitled Feeding the Future, the Soil Association, a U.K.-based or-ganic farming advocacy group, makes the case that organic and other agro-ecological farming systems are not only the solution to the world's hunger problems, but when implemented, these holistic methods of growing food ac-tually facilitate bringing the world's poorest out of poverty.

On the flip side, GM farming systems perpetuate and even create poverty be-cause they lock farmers into an endless cycle of dependence on corporations for both the next season's batch of self-destructing seeds, and the toxic chemical cocktails required to grow them. GM agriculture, in other words, is toxic to the world's economies, toxic to human health, and toxic to the envi-ronment.

As was shown in a recent Rodale Institute study, which was the culmination of more than 30 years worth of research, organic farming systems actually produce higher yields than GM and non-GM conventional farming systems. Organic farming is also fully self-renewing and sustainable, as composting, manure, and other organic fertilizing methods naturally enrich soil and elimi-nate the need for toxic pesticides and herbicides

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