Food plays the most integral part in keeping us physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. We are what we eat. Food quality and safety are two vital factors that have attained constant attention among ordinary people. Growing environmental pollution and several food hazards have substantially decreased people’s trust in food quality in the last decades. Intensive conventional farming, using pesticides and insecticides, contaminates the food chain. Consumers, therefore, are looking for safer and better food, prepared ecologically and authentically by local systems. In this article, we are going to discuss organic food brands in India. We will also concentrate on how we can start an organic farming business in India, specifically in our homes.
Before focusing our attention on the organic food brands in India, let us first talk about organic farming.
Table of Contents
What is organic farming?
In recent years organic farming as a cultivation process has gained immense popularity. Organically produced food has become the first choice of both farmers and consumers. They are a part of the go-green lifestyle.
The term ‘organic’ was first coined by Northbourne in his book ‘Look to the Land’ in 1940. Organic farming is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. Organic farming India is based on the minimum use of off-farm inputs and management practices that restore, maintain, and enhance ecological agriculture.
When it comes to organic agriculture in India, the produce is bereft of synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, application of genetic modification techniques, sewage sludge, or chemical fertilizers. It is quite different from conventional farming, where synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers are used to gain high crop yield and profit. Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers eliminate insects, weeds, pests, and growth factors such as synthetic hormones and fertilizers increase the growth rate.
Due to these excessive chemicals and fertilizers, people nowadays are discouraged from consuming conventional farm produce and are becoming more inclined towards organic farming products.
Benefits of organic farming
Organic Farming benefits us in many ways. First, organic eating is good for the health. Apart from the health benefits, it creates a positive impact on our environment and on socio-economic matters.
Nutritional benefits and health safety
The growing demand for organically produced yield has created an increasing demand among people regarding the nutritional value of organically and conventionally grown foods. Organically grown foods such as leafy vegetables and tubers have high dry matter compared to conventionally produced yield. Organic cereals, too, have high-quality proteins with better amino acid scores. Plants grown organically contain more iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. They also contain more calcium, sodium, and potassium as major elements: manganese, iodine, zinc, and trace elements.
Fruits and vegetables produced organically contain a wide variety of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, pro-vitamin C. Organically grown fruits and vegetables contain 27% more vitamin C than conventionally grown produce. Organically grown tomatoes contain more salicylic acid than their conventional counterparts. Bread made from organically produced grain is found to have better flavor and crumb elasticity. In nutshell, the organically grown fruits and vegetables smell and taste better. They also have better nutritional benefits and health safety.
Environmental impact
Organic farming also helps to preserve the environment better. Organic gardening India is less harmful to the environment as it does not require synthetic chemicals that are harmful to the soil, air, and water. The fertilizers and pesticides, when flow into the water bodies, contaminate the water and harm the life of the aquatic creatures.
Organic farming uses the practice of crop rotation, thus sustaining biodiversity. It improves the quality of soil-making it is rich in biomass, organic matter, and higher enzymes. It enhances water percolation and better holding capacity of the soil.
In addition to this, it uses lesser energy and produces less waste per unit area.
Socio-economic impact
Organic farming requires a high level of labor, hence produces more income-generating jobs per farm. Organic foods are costlier than conventionally produced yield due to their high cost of obtaining organic certification, the high cost of a greater workforce, and lack of subsidies on organics in India.
Organic food has a greater shelf life than conventionally produced food due to lesser nitrates and greater antioxidants. Nitrates quicken the rate of food spoilage, while antioxidants help to enhance the shelf life of foods.
Eco farming in India is now an expanding economic sector due to the profit incurred by the produce, thereby leading to a growing inclination towards organic farming by the farmers in India.
How to start organic farming in India?
Organic farming helps us to empower food, nature, and health most safely. Organic farming can be practiced in India by learning the following simple steps.
Learning the basics of organic farming
Before indulging in organic farming, one needs to learn about the basics to master the art of farming organically. To begin with, you first need to talk to experts, enthusiasts, and people who have already skilled in the art of organic farming.
With the help of OFAI (Organic Farming Association of India), you can keep yourself updated about the latest trends, benefits, and importance of organic farming.
Decide your organic farming site
It is one of the most integral factors of organic farming. You should keep in mind the temperature, soil fertility, humidity, and water availability while choosing your farming site. You can begin with your backyard and terrace in case you are a beginner. If you live in a society or community where there are people who share your passion, you can begin by allotting a plot. This, along with providing food produce, will transform your living space into a greener and fruitful ecosystem, which is a joy for both you and your loved ones.
Know the soil requirement
Soil, along with being the breeding ground for plants, is home to millions of helpful micro-organisms like bacteria, algae, and mold. When handled carefully, these organisms can transform dirt into a healthy and breeding ground for your crops.
When to cultivate?
You should possess a good knowledge about the time to carry out the agricultural steps.
Spring (February to April)
This time is suitable for cultivating and soil preparation before planting the seeds and saplings. The moisture level in the soil at this time ensures that the micro-organisms are not destroyed.
Fall (October to November)
This season is best suited for mulching and layering the organic matter on top of the soil. This provides a shield from the upcoming cold weather.
What kind of crops should you grow?
You can start by growing deep-rooted crops such as tomatoes, melons, coarse cereals, and pulses. The best time to cultivate these crops is winter and springtime.
Shallow-rooted crops such as corn, cabbage, cauliflower require high water retention and the best time to grow these crops is the monsoon season.
Use organic manure
Organic fertilizers assist in improving the quality of the soil. Green manure that is made up of uprooted and withered plant parts improves soil fertility by providing organic matter and nitrogen to the soil. It also prevents soil erosion and leaching. Compost made up of household vegetable and fruit residues, eggshells, sugarcane trash, dried leaves, crop straws, and biodegradable household garbage can be prepared by piling them up, moistening, and occasionally turning them to aerate and decompose. This contains a high nitrogen content, which works wonders for the soil.
With the steps mentioned above, you will know how to do organic farming at home in India.
List of organic farms in India
Mentioned below are some of the best organic farms in India, where you can get unadulterated, fresh, organic, safe, and healthy produce.
The Slow Farm
This farm by Reema Gupta is situated in Bangalore, which produces organic food using organic techniques. It has been running successfully for the past thirteen years. Some of the foods produced here are passion fruit, star fruit, and avocado.
Back2Basics
This farm was started by S. Madhusudhan, which brings fresh, organic farm produces to the Indian people. Fruits and vegetables produced on his farm are supplied to select grocery stores across India and exported to different countries.
Happy Hens Farm
In this farm, hens produce eggs and are not given any weight-inducing hormones or therapeutic antibiotics. The hens in this farm are not kept in cages and are allowed to eat grass and bugs.
ABC Farms
This family-run organic farm produces rice, sorghum, pearl millet, and dry herbs. It is owned by Sohrab and Marlene, who are both dairy bacteriologists.
Vridavan Farm
This farm produces mangoes, herbs, indigenous vegetables, and spices using fermented manure as soil feed and sustainable water retention methods.
Organic Tapovana
This farm helps small farmers produce crops without chemical fertilizers and GMOs. This association has started Pasumai Organic Farmers Association (POFA), a small farming community to help them grow organic produce and sell it directly to the consumers. This farm produces rice, pulses, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.
The Farm
This is situated on the outskirts of Chennai. Some of the products produced here are rice, apricots, tea, coconut oil, and herbal oils. They also sell dairy products such as cheese, ghee, paneer, and curd. They also produce cakes and snacks.
Most of these farms carry organic vegetable farming in India. They are associated with organic vegetable cultivation.
Let us now come to the organic food brands in India
Organic Food Brands in India
Food is what keeps humans alive. It provides us with nourishment and essential nutrients required to stay mentally, physically, and emotionally fit and healthy.
Commercially produced fruits and vegetables that are easily available in the market are produced using harmful pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers. They are also injected with growth hormones and produced using genetically modified techniques. These products, when consumed, can harm our health. Hence people nowadays are becoming more inclined to buy organic food.
Organic food is safe, healthy, wholesome, and fresh since these are produced using organic fertilizers and are bereft of any chemicals. Listed below are some organic food brands in India that offer 100% natural and organic food products. These food items are fresh and come directly from the farms without any chemical preservatives.
Mantra Organic
This organic brand offers food products ranging from jaggery powder, Himalayan rock salt, honey, pulses, and various kinds of rice. Their products are 100% organic and bereft of harmful pesticides and synthetic chemicals, and appropriate to be consumed by all age groups.
Organic India
This brand is set in Lucknow and caters to the organic food requirements of the entire country. Their products are natural and ayurvedic. Organic India works with the provincial ranchers of different rustic towns across the country and sells products free from synthetic chemicals. Their widespread sale of organic food products has made them one of the best organic food brands in India.
Their products are easily available at any grocery store. Some of their widely selling organic products are Moringa powder, Triphala, herbal tea, and immunity-boosting capsules.
Pure & Sure
Their wide range of organic products is a result of twenty years of involvement with organic agribusiness. Their products are sourced originally from ranchers and go through rigid quality measures to provide more than 140 organic items. Some of their popular products include ghee, sunflower oil, castor oil, groundnut oil, coffee powder, and honey.
Organic Tattva
This organic brand of food products is based out of Delhi and sells organic grains, cereals, and pulses free from synthetic chemicals and safe to be consumed by all age groups. Their products are bereft of pesticides, composts, additives, and added preservatives. The brand guarantees 100% natural and safe food products.
Wingreens Farms
Wingreens Farms is a prominent name among the top organic food brands in India. Their products are bereft of synthetic and unnatural fixings. Their products range from naturally baked things, spreads, margarine, chips, plunges, extraordinary flavors, and chilies with an international touch but flavored in an Indian style. Their organic products leave a long-lasting effect on our taste buds.
Their product range includes sauces, spreads, mayonnaise, green tea, herbal mixes, dips, and many more.
Sampurn Organic
This brand’s products are 100% organic and aim to help farmers sell their organic produce across India. Some of their organic products that are customer favorites are Sampurn Organic Chana Dal, Sampurn Organic Arhar Dal, and Sampurn Organic Rajma Jammu. Their wide range of organic products made us include them among the best organic food brands in India.
Nutriorg
This brand of organic food aims to make its products accessible right at the doorstep of every Indian. Their products are developed organically and harvested in the bosom of nature. Nutriorg, which is one of the top organic food brands in India, offers a variety of organic food products such as jaggery, amla juice, aloe vera juice, among others.
Conscious Food
This organic brand is based in Mumbai and sells its products through both retail and an online store to reach more consumers. It sells natural, maintainable, privately sourced, and unadulterated vegan products to its consumers. Their wide range of products includes oats, nectar, cow ghee, cooking oil, virgin coconut oil, and natural dry organic sugar to improve our physical and mental well-being.
Natureland Organics
This brand aims to create a bridge between Indian ranchers and consumers all across the globe. Some of their organic products include organic pulses, cooking oils, and various other products, which have made this one of the best organic food brands in India.
Sorich Organics
This is one of India’s organic food brands that provide healthy, nutritious, simple raw food fixings that enhance the quality of living standards and dietary plans of the millennials. They offer the goodness of nature packed in their products. From chia sweets to unsweetened cocoa, herbal tea, and a lot more- their products are 100% organic and healthy.
Farm2kitchen
This is one of the oldest organic food companies in India. Their company works with the motto “Building Healthy India.” They help farmers by bringing their produce to the metropolitan cities.
Pride of Cows
This is one of the organic farming companies in India that sell its products unadulterated. Their products such as milk, skimmed milk, whole milk powder, ghee, processed cheese, butter, curd, gulab jamun are produced from 100% natural and pure substances.
Conclusion
This article provides a list of organic farms in India and the best organic food brands in India. This article also educates the readers about what organic farming is, the benefits of organic farming, and why it is gaining increasing popularity among Indians. If you are interested in organic farming, then reading this article will enlighten you about the steps that need to be taken before starting organic farming at your home or neighborhood.