Organic is a new word used in the context of coffee, tea,
cocoa and other food materials in recent times around local
shops and super markets. Every year the word is being used
by buying public more than the previous year and its use is
growing year after year resulting in higher sale proportion
of tea or coffee marked as 100% organically grown.
What is organically grown?
To simply put it, organic farming methods leave least or no
harmful impact on the surrounding environment. Organic
agricultural production systems are mostly traditional
methods evolved through learning from nature. In the
organic farming methods no synthetic chemical fertilizer or
pesticide is used. So that organic production means
natural, pure and healthy.
How coffee grows in nature
The coffee plant does not need much direct sun light and so
it grows under the shade of large trees. The ground is
never sprayed with any chemical insecticide or fertilizer
and so the ground water remains pure and uncontaminated.
From the canopy of trees leaves fall steadily and the
ground is covered by fallen leaves layer on layer. The
layers of fallen leaves work as a blanket and protect the
moisture of the ground. The moisture in turn help the
process of compost to turn the bottom layers of leaves into
natural manure to nourish the land.
The thick foliage of shade trees over the coffee bushes
house many varieties of birds and also attracts the
migratory birds. The birds live on small insects and pests.
So they work as natural pest controllers and keep the
coffee plants healthy.
The coffee that grows in the shade of other local trees
become original and pure in taste and flavor Organic
Coffee.
The proposed plantation site is selected carefully. And if
the site was being used to grow some other crop using
chemical fertilizer or chemical insecticides, then a
minimum period of three years are given as conversion years
for the proposed site to get over the effects of the
harmful chemicals.
After the conversion years coffee bushes are planted along
with local shade trees. Care is given equally to the coffee
bushes and shade trees and effort is put in to leave bird
population to grow undisturbed.
The fallen leaves are left undisturbed to convert into
manure to nourish the land and keep it fertile. The bird
population effectively controls the pests and harmful
insect and protects the coffee bushes. And finally for
decaffeinating, approved processes are employed including
the Swiss Water process. The coffee thus produced is
organic coffee.
Organic vs. commercial production
Organic production methods along with producing coffee
intend to protect environment. In this process of growing
coffee, more and more trees are grown due to that local
biodiversity is achieved. In this method, soil fertility
and nutrients are sustained. No chemical pollution is
created to harm the human health.
In contrast in commercial profit oriented method of growing
coffee, the trees are felled and the cumulative effect is
deforestation. Deforestation leads to soil erosion and
severe depletion. The commercial grower cuts trees to
allow direct sun light which increases production. As there
are no birds to control pests and due to the absence of
trees and its natural manure, farmers are forced to use
chemical fertilizers and pesticides severely harming the
environment.
Organic coffee - lifeline of future
Organic production process is eco friendly and helps to
repair the environment spoilt by the greedy profit oriented
approach of commercial growers of coffee through growing
more and more shade trees.
Protecting environment locally helps to enhance the eco
system. Rejuvenation and eco system alone can help the
planet from disaster and help to sustain life on this
planet.
Organic coffee is our responsibility, almost a human duty
and life line to healthy future of mankind.
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About The Author: Charles Carter, BS in Exercise Science is
President of LIVE, llc of http://www.liveleantoday.com -
visit the website for more information on weight loss, core
fitness programs, optimal diets, and online personal
trainer and dietician services. For more information on
products go to http://shop.liveleantoday.com .
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