Farm To Fridge

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IS VITAL FOR OUR HEALTH AND THE FUTURE OF OUR WORLD FOR MANY REASONS.

- Janani Nagarajan

It's a sunny day at our grandfather’s farm in Tambaram.It is a suburb located a few kilometres away from the busy cityof Chennai and it is where my husband and I typically drive off to for a calm and organic Sunday meal.

Long after the harsh summer, a torrential coastal monsoon and the dreaded heat wave that has just come and gone, the farm reveals abundance. Verdant, almost overrun, it requires watchful navigation, over ridges and mulch-covered trenches. It is hard to imagine that this piece of dishonored land was filled with debris and junk a few years ago. Today, its home to over 15 varieties of vegetables and fruits, including drumstick, spinach, beans, gooseberry, and so much more.

As we pluck, dust the gooseberries against our pants and take a bite, we ask him just how he manages to keep these plants alive. He says, “All I use is cow dung sourced from local dairy a few streets away.” For our grandfather, this is not unconventional. It is just farming the way it used to be. 

Why organic food is important

Organic agriculture is vital for our health and the future of our world for many reasons. It carries far fewer toxic pesticide residues. It does not harm farm workers or the microorganisms of the soil that produce nutritious and drought-resistant crops. Organic farming controls climate change, protects biodiversity, enhances soil fertility and, to top it off, organic foods are more nutritious and taste better.

Without chemical tools, such as pesticides, known for producing high-yield agriculture, will organic produce yield enough food to feed the world? Popular studies from around the world show that organic farms can produce about as much, if not more, food than do conventional farms. It may take several months for farmers to learn the new ways and notice success, but as the soil and biodiversity recover, yields will go up.