Large scale organic farming of barley

Organic farming is one of the key buzz words today among the health-conscious. But perhaps what most people don’t know is that the benefits of organic farming are far-reaching than we think.

“Organic farming is not only profitable but is appealing as a way to a healthier diet,” said Peter Hope, managing director for Santé New Zealand Limited and one of the leading authorities in organic farming.  “Organic farming has benefits for both health and environmental reasons.”

Go healthy, go organic

Organic fruits, vegetables, and grains are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers. These pesticides and fertilizers usually contain high doses of metals that may contain carcinogens.

For example, the commonly used herbicide Roundup has been classified as a “probable human carcinogen,” and the insecticide chlorpyrifos has been associated with developmental delays in infants. Studies have also suggested that pesticide residues—at levels commonly found in the urine of kids in the U.S.—may contribute to ADHD prevalence; they’ve also been linked to reduced sperm quality in men.

In a 2014 meta-analysis found in the British Journal of Nutrition  that organically grown crops were not only less likely to contain detectable levels of pesticides, but because of differences in fertilization techniques, they were also 48 percent less likely to test positive for cadmium, a toxic heavy metal that accumulates in the liver and kidneys.

Going organic is eco-friendly

Because organic farming discourages the use of pesticides and artificial fertilizers, the soil in which the produce grows in remains untainted and may be unable to thrive on its own. Natural cultivation practices are far better than chemical soil management.

A 9-year study conducted by the US Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Research Services (USDA-ARS) showed organic farming builds up organic soil matter better than conventional no-till farming.

Moreover, not only does organic farming build healthy soil, it helps combat serious soil erosion. Organic farming also helps conserve water. Organic farmers spend time amending soil correctly and using mulch. These practices help conserve water.

“Santé New Zealand is one of the leading large scale organic farms and is the largest in New Zealand. We produce the best organic barley that goes into all of our product lines,” said Hope.

As a holistic system, organic production is designed to improve the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-system that includes the soil organisms, plants, livestock and people. Ultimately, the goal of organic farming is to develop enterprises that are sustainable.

Organic practices in New Zealand began on a large scale back in the 1980s and has since grown into an important food segment among the market. In 2013, 17.15 million or 40 percent of farmlands have been designated as organic farms. This grew to 42 percent in 2014. Today, organic farming and the demand for organically-grown or produced foods is growing globally with many countries in Oceania, Europe, Asia and North America.

Santé International is a distribution company of organic wellness products. The company trade products that do not have synthetic, harmful ingredients while serving as a mounting venue for entrepreneurs. Among its flagship products is Santė Barley, a supplement made out of 100 percent young barley grass that is grown in the Canterbury Plains of New Zealand and is certified organic by BioGro.

Barley grass (Hordeum Vulgare) has one of the most balanced nutrient profiles. It is a combination of micronutrients some of which includes Vitamins, Amino Acids, Minerals, Alkaline Minerals, Proteins, Phytonutrients, Antioxidants, Chlorophyll and Enzymes.  Barley grass powder is very potent to fight free radicals that can cause damage to health.

“We only use the fresh shoots as the key ingredients when we produce our products. Once we have harvested these, we re-plant the entire crop ensuring that our products use only young barley,” Hope added.

To know more about Santé, its product offerings, and other upcoming events, visit their official FB Page at www.facebook.com/santeofficial.ph or their website at www.santebarley.com.