Obama pledges $50m for organic farming

President Obama is offering US farmers a $50 million incentive to go organic. The US leader, who has already dug up part of the White House lawn to grow organic vegetables, has made the funds available to support organic farmers as well as non-organic farmers who are learning about organic farming methods. Agriculture deputy secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced the funding earlier this month to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). “Assisting organic producers is a priority of the 2008 Farm Bill as well as for Secretary Vilsack and the Obama Administration,” Merrigan said. To qualify for funding, farmers must have Organic Program certification, or must prove that they are about to switch to organic farming. The US Organic Trade Association (OTA) welcomed the extra funds. “[We are] glad for the support of USDA, which acknowledges organic farming as a environmentally friendly practice,” said Christine Bushway, OTA executive director. “OTA believes that this program of aids will further encourage farmers to employ this kind of practices, thus contributing to increase the US organic production and meet the consumers’ growing demand.” However, eco-blog Treehugger criticised the size of the funding pot. “$50 million isn’t enough–it’s a nice public pat on the back for the practice, as opposed to throwing some real support behind it,” said Treehugger blogger Brian Merchant. Farmers have until 29 May to apply for funds from the scheme.

Organic Food Market In Japan Set To Boom

The Global Intelligence Alliance Group (GIA) surveyed Japanese manufacturers on their ideas for upcoming trends. Health concerns were top rated, and most manufacturers believe that organic food will be the most important, and it’s what they intend to market. It beat out sugar-free and low-carbohydrate foods, showing that people might be more concerned about what is added to their food rather than what is taken out. The challenge with this consumer taste trend lies in Japan’s existing agricultural industry. The organic food market is estimated by the Japanese Trade Commission to make up less than .5% of the market. This is far below the potential of the market, but the average fruit or vegetable grown in Japan requires a large amount of pesticides. Also, a lot of Japan’s food is imported, making it difficult to preserve freshness, and without pesticides and other additives, this can be very difficult. Also, on average organic products cost more than their non-organic counterparts, partially because of the difficulties in growing good produce without the help of pesticides. Despite these challenges, consumers are growing more interested in organic products and are willing to spend more to buy them. The main factors driving the organic food market are recent food scandals, new stricter food labeling laws, recent laws passed to promote organic farming, and the population dynamics of Japan.

Alivio™olive oil

Aryan International a market leader in Health food segment is bringing Alivio™ brand Spanish Olive Oil for the health conscious Indian Consumers. Alivio™ brand is being promoted by ARYAN INTERNATIONAL in Indian subcontinent. ABOUT OLIVE OIL: Olive oil is obtained from the fruit OLIVE (Oleo europaea) which is a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Region. As a matter of fact, Olive oil is the only oil that can be consumed immediately after it has been from the fruit. The most common uses of the OLIVE OIL are in COOKING, MEDICINES, COSMETICS, MASSAGE Oil and as a fuel in traditional oil lamps. Extraction of Olive Oil The traditional way to make Olive Oil is by grinding the olives. The unripe olives are green in color and produce bitter oil while over ripened olives produce rancid oil and hence care has to be taken that the olives are just ripe when the process begins. To begin the process, the olives are ground into a paste using large millstones. The paste stays under the millstone for about 45 minutes and the oil collected during this process is termed as Virgin oil. News: Distributors/Wholesalers: Required We are looking for a team of dedicated distributors/wholesalers, who willing to promote Alivio™ brand in Indian sub continent and would grow along with us.

From Bologna, the Italian challenge to foreign organic markets

In 2009 the rate of Italians who regularly consume organic products - not exclusively, but continuously - has risen from 22 to 26%. The world market could reach a value of 45 billion dollars. This is part of the information released in Bologna for the presentation of the sector's internationalization project, promoted by Italian organic association FEDERBIO, in cooperation with the Italian Trade Commission and the Ministry of Economic Development. This project is aimed at promoting those products that make up the Mediterranean diet as well as making SANA and Bologna, where the best experiences in organic processing are concentrated, the starting point of a new challenge to gain shares on the foreign market in order to further develop the sector. A great opportunity not only for Italy but also for the whole Mediterranean region, as said FEDERBIO chairman Paolo Carnemolla. "Italy keeps standing on a leading position in Europe, but foreign buyers, when they are to buy a product, are not going to Italy" Carnemolla stated. And that is why the role of Bologna's exhibition is fundamental, and the fair must be more committed to increase its attractiveness. The project will initially lead to the opening of permanent headquarters in São Paulo in Brazil and New York in the U.S., two Countries "that alone count as a continent". The agreement signed by FEDERBIO with the Ministry provides for joint actions in the framework of the organic products' promotion, with an equally shared commitment between public and private sectors. And who'd be the best character to promote the industry today, if not the most loved by media? "SANA would like to invite Michelle Obama," stated the chairman of Federbio.