Posts Tagged agriculture

Organic Food – The Healthy Alternative

Organic food production and consumption is to some way in its advocacy stage. The entire planet floats on significant amount of pollution, radiation and hazardous chemical compounds that produce different viral strains, fatal diseases, and unhealthy conditions. Going back to our natural state such as consuming organic food has now been a test of a person’s will and level of economic status.

Millions of years ago, men and women lived harmoniously with nature which provided abundant food for them. Having no other goal but survival, they had no idea of manipulating an organism or enhancing the organic food into more tasty and palatable recipes. They learned how to find their food by hunting and then later through farming. When people crossed the boundary towards civilization, mass production became a big part of every national economy. Research and development were focused on creating high-yielding varieties (HYVs) and the unnatural method of propagating and producing these varieties.

The choice the human race made in the past is now revealing its lessons. However, these lessons are still veiled to majority of the people. To a few people, they have already decided to go back to organic farming or organic food consumption. To protect the interest of the consumers, organic food certification authorities have been set up in many countries. Many are also following suit.

With the way internet has changed the world, the internet now offers organic food online. Consumers can simply connect to the web, look for organic food online and process the order of organic food online, right at the comfort of their home. The availability of information over the net makes it also possible for consumers to check the authenticity of products claiming to be organic food. Organic certification authority has a list of organic food certified products, suppliers and manufacturers.

Organic food has more vitamins and minerals than ordinary food which contains harmful chemicals as a result of pesticide and herbicide application. A high-yielding variety of carrot, for example, is bigger than organic carrot. However, organic carrot contains more nutrients because it was grown on fertile soil with organic fertilizers.

Organic food, much more organic food online, are usually more expensive than ordinary food. One of the unveiled reasons is that the government subsidizes the more pervasive inorganic agriculture while organic food producers have yet to receive support from government. Since production of organic crops necessitates the use of natural fertilizers and forbids harmful chemicals in pesticides and herbicides, the labor cost is higher. This means controlling the weeds and pests manually instead of simply spraying. The yield is also low as compared to HYVs.

If computed, however, it would always turn out to be more expensive for consumers of inorganic food because part of the people’s taxes go to agricultural subsidies and consumers pay more for their health when they get sick. Organic food consumers are feeding the body with clean elements, therefore, they also have a cleaner and healthy body. Since they have more energy, they have more time to work, less stress and more income opportunities.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

Investment in Agriculture

The procedure of investment in land that awaits future urban development has been carried out for generations by both big businesses and private investors. For several it has been a gainful venture, resulting in many folks gathering large land portfolios and substantial amounts of wealth. Mainly, this investment has taken place in agricultural plots surrounding towns, villages and cities as these are seen as ripe for development as settlements expand. This type of investment has recently been opened up to the masses with many companies offering chances to unite funds for part ownership of land.

The chances to harvest large financial rewards from land investment are great. In some cases it is not even required to offer a large financial inoculation, part ownership schemes have allowed investors to begin investment in land for as little as fifty pounds, paid on a weekly basis. As a result investors differ from those attempting to build up a retirement nest egg to those struggling to get on the possessions stepladder.

In terms of the rewards some estimates consider that an investment of twelve thousand pounds could lead to a return of more than fifty. This will take about ten years but when compared to other investment opportunities the returns are excessive; obviously however, as with most investments the greater the risk, the higher the profits. As a result, those allowing for buying land should always research a number of companies carefully as an approach without intimate knowledge can be seen as foolish. This appraisal should include an appraisal of a company’s credibility and past history in giving investors honest returns.

In the media the land investment business has not received the best of press in recent years. There are still a large number of companies out there that is measured trustworthy; all it takes is a little effort in researching the industry to find them. Once this research has been carried out, the returns from share purchasing can obtained quickly.

Eventually a company that appreciates the privilege of investors to research proposed opportunities is the ideal; in addition, they should also readily supply this information so their clients can make informed choices pertaining to any investments. Part of this information should include reports from local authorities on the transport links, mains supply and chances of planning permission for any plot of land. It is worth remembering however that while the benefits are certainly there, they are never guaranteed; investment is a risk and hence there is always the chance of losing money. As the demand for land for housing continues to grow however, this risk is reducing to some extent, through astute financial investment, profits should become realism.

As well as the profits, many investors are choosing land as a way to avoid certain government legislation. For example, agricultural land and forestry is a great way to get certain tax breaks; one example is that owners of these types of land do not have to pay legacy tax as long as they have been in ownership of this land for more than two years; with certain dodge, this type of investment is also a way to avoid the capital gains tax.

Obviously investment in land is popular with many. Thanks to a selection of companies it has also been opened up to members of the general public making speculating an attractive profit making chance. As government plans to increase towns and speed up residential construction continue with pleasure, investing can be seen as a truly sensible way to make money.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts

How a New Database for Women Scientists Can Promote Agricultural Biotechnology

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) has come up with this online database of women scientists working in the field of agriculture.

The database’s objectives are:

  • To promote activities such as diversity-positive recruitment.
  • To promote international teamwork among women agriculturalists
  • To promote cross-cultural communications among women scientists in the agricultural sector.
  • Showcase women talent in the field of agriculture.
  • Advance women’s interests by availing information on scholarships and agricultural-related training opportunities.

I am more interested in the last two objectives. CGIAR largely operates in developing countries that suffer chronic food shortages. Among its many programs, CGIAR uses modern agricultural biotechnology to solve poor countries’ food problems.

There is a whole gamut of women scientists working in the field of agricultural biotechnology. Many have, and continue to excel in their respective areas of specialization. Africa, for example, has Dr. Florence Wambugu who has distinguished herself as an ardent advocate of agricultural biotechnology as an affective tool to alleviate hunger and malnutrition.

There are more women scientists of Dr. Wambugu’s competence in the developing world, but they are hardly known beyond the borders of their countries. Existing societal biases makes it hard from them to explore opportunities for advancement. This makes it hard for them to grow both professionally and career wise. This database must elevate the profile of such women scientists. The agricultural world needs them.

The biotech industry is fast gaining prominence. Africa and other developing regions of the world would only benefit from the many potential applications of biotechnology not only by developing a mass of well trained biotechnologists, but also exposing them to the world. This database is an invaluable avenue for women scientists wishing to explore the world.

To ensure that this database better benefits women scientists, CGIAR should consider working closely with national and international scientific institutions because they well understand the needs of their women scientists.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Related posts