Saudi Gazette The acting secretary general of the Saudi Organic Farming Association (SOFA), Dr. Saad Abdullah Al-Khalil, announced the near completion of several projects designed to boost organic agricultural practices in the Kingdom. Agreements have been drawn between various private and governmental bodies that will increase the production of both organic animal products and organic fruits and vegetables. Organic farming methods are said to be more eco-friendly and can help sustain a healthier environment. Organic agriculture practices improve the biodiversity of the land, slow down soil erosion, enhance soil productivity and maintain a better ecological balance. New organic farming methods in the Kingdom will be adopted at a greater rate that will involve a reduced consumption of water for irrigation, the use of natural fertilizers, a decrease in the use of toxic pesticides, and will supply consumers with healthy foods. “Among the goals of the SOFA projects that are currently in development include providing funds for the required technologies and equipment, financially assisting farmers to make the transition from conventional agricultural to organic agricultural methods, and making available organic fertilizers, seeds, and other farming necessities. SOFA also aids in marketing organic products, supports public education campaigns about organic produce, and will sponsor scientific research on the advantages of organic farming for the consumer, the community and the environment,” Al-Khalil said. Al-Khalil admitted that organic produce in the Kingdom at present is expensive, unaffordable to many segments of the society and also scarce. According to him, solutions that will tackle the problem of the lack of organic produce in the Saudi market are expected to be ready and will take effect by September. The proponents of organic agriculture claim that organic produce is indeed nutritionally superior to the foods grown by the traditional agricultural methods. Studies have found that organic fruits, vegetables and grains contain higher levels of up to 11 different vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, with greater concentrations of the health-promoting anti-oxidants. The Saudi Gazette asked Dr. Matthew Tracey, the director of complementary medicine at the International Medical Center, if he saw any health benefits in eating organic produce versus conventionally grown produce. Dr. Tracey answered: “Yes, of course, there are advantages to eating organic produce. First and foremost is that organic foods are free of chemical pesticides. The pesticides sprayed on crops in conventional farming are high in estrogen-making compounds that are being linked to hormonal imbalances and disorders in the body, and possibly even cancer.” “Secondly, the nutritional content of foods is only as good as the nutritional content of the soil. Conventional farming methods and the use of synthetic fertilizers deplete the nutrients in the soil. Most soils are so extensively deteriorated by the conventional agricultural practices that the fruits grown in it may look good and weigh good, which is good for sales, but the fruits are very low in nutritional quality,” Dr. Tracey said. __
