Organic farming is dynamically growing in the countries of theEU.¹ Conscious consumers, discouraged by the inadequate quality of industrial food, are more inclined to reach for sustainable alternatives. The development of organic production will become increasingly significant, as demonstrated by the European Union's support in the context of promoting environmental protection and preserving biodiversity in Europe.² What makes organic food stand out?

First of all, quality!

The main goal of organic farming is to produce high quality products while preserving biodiversity in the natural environment.³ An unquestionable benefit of organic food is the constant, verifiable quality of products, guaranteed by regulations that strictly define individual stages of production. A number of inspection bodies ensure the quality.⁴ This way, youcan be sure that the organic products you buy meet the highest standards! Continuedin 2021, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) programmeis one of the methods to support farmers in the context of ecological rural development.⁵

Degenerating mass production

Industrial food production is based on ongoing exploitation of the environment, without respect for its biological structure. Conventional farming methods are concerned with maximising yield, regardless of indirect costs. There is a massive soil degeneration and chemicals are used to artificially increase crop yields. Industrial methods of food production make it impossible to achieve a constant and verifiable product quality.⁶

Features of organic cultivation

EU regulations list a number of requirements for farms. An important element of organic production is that it is linked to the environmental system found locally. It takes place in a closed cycle, which enforces self-sufficiency. The aim is to obtain sustainable food, i.e. food with limited environmental impact. Organic farms limit the use of artificial fertilisers, GMO feeds, and antibiotics. Agrotechnical procedures require adaptation to the requirements for irrigation, harvesting and storage of crops.⁷

As consumers, we have an impact on the future shape of the environment. By choosing organic food, we support ecological activities and contribute to maintaining biodiversity in our environment! We can also enjoy the high quality and natural taste of the products that end up on our tables!

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Sources:

1.       https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/publications-enrd-rr18_pl.pdf, p. 3.

2.       https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/farming/organic-farming/organics-glance_pl

3.       https://www.dbc.wroc.pl/Content/23683/PDF/240_Golinowska_M_Rozwoj%20roln%20ekolog_DBC.pdf, p. 74.

4.       https://www.gov.pl/web/rolnictwo/kontrola-i-certyfikacja2

5.       https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-policies/common-agricultural-policy/rural-development_pl

6.       http://zasobyip2.ore.edu.pl/uploads/publications/97cd92bf39d28035215747d672e8e707, p. 11.

7.       http://biblio.modr.mazowsze.pl/Biblioteka/Ekologia/Podstawy_agrotechniki_w_produkcji_ekologicznej.pdf

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