Biological farming is production system which maintains health of soil, ecosystems and people, focusing on natural balance of plants, animals and soil, its objective is improvement of agriculture and environment quality. Protecting soil fertility which is a key of successful agriculture it allows natural processes to increase crops and environmental durability. As well as growing volumes have to be, as much as possible, environment-friendly.
Certified biological products ar products which are produced, stored, processed, milled and sold in accordance with precise technical specifications (standards), and which have been certified as “biological” by a certifying body. When a certifying body has checked conformance to biological standards, the product can be labelled as “biological”. Growing of biological plants may take place only on areas with biological certification, the control of our enterprise is maintained by certification body „VIDES KVALITĀTE” [“ENVIRONMENT QUALITY”] (LATAK registration No.LATAK-S1-242-16-2004) what guarantees an accurate, transparent product control chain from growing of raw material up to delivered product in compliance with EU regulations (No.834/2007; No. 889/2008).
The biological label indicates that product is certified in accordance with special biological standards. The label states the name of the certification body and standards to which it conforms. An informed consumer can use this label as a guide.
Certified biological products usually are more expensive that conventional products for several reasons:
1.Production costs of biological food usually are higher because higher are unit labor costs.
2.Offer of biological food is limited in comparison with demand.
3.Marketing of biological products and distribution chain is relatively ineffective, and costs are higher due to relatively small volumes.
The objective of biological farming is production of food, creating, at the same time, ecological balance in order to prevent problems connected with soil fertility or pests. It stimulates soil fauna and flora, improving soil formation and structure. In many agriculture spheres groundwater pollution with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is the main problem. Biologic farming reduces consumption of non-renewable energy reducing biochemical needs (for them it is required to produce a large amount of fossil fuel). Biologic farming favors reduction of hothouse effect and global warming due to carbon sinking ability in soil.
Use of GMO in biological systems is not allowed in any stage of production or processing of biological food. When choosing biological products, consumer with his/her purchasing power promotes less contaminating agriculture system.
Biologic farmers make healthy soil. Organic matter in soil stimulates good structure of soil and water retention ability. Biologic farmers increase quantity of organic matter in soil using after-sowing, compost and biologically justified soil improvements, getting healthy, disease-resistant and insect-resistant plants. Weeds are controlled using crop rotation, mulching, covering cultures, manual weeding and other methods. In biological farming, benign environment is created for soil organisms, insect and bird populations to control plant pests. And also choosing the right pest-resistant and disease-resistant species and varieties which reach optimal crops with smaller nutrient supply volume.
Use of synthetic fertilizers is not allowed in biological farming, because replacement of natural, renewable resources in plant nutrition with non-renewable chemical substances is not sustainable, disorganize natural cycles, contaminates environment through runoff and leave toxic residues in soil and ground waters.
Biological farmers use grain legumes – peas, beans and other plants which strengthen and enrich nitrogen in soil in natural way.
Biological farmers use processing of biomass (composting) to bring nutritients to plants.
Use of synthetic fertilizers has caused vast environmental pollution. One of the main problems of our planet caused by use of synthetic fertilizers is increased growth of algae in lakes and water reservoirs. Production of synthetic fertilizers consumes a large amount of energy which is mainly obtained from burning of fossil fuel, thus, increasing dependence on external energy sources.
For example, using biological raw materials of plant origin and products one has not to worry about unhealthy chemical residues and high nitrate content. These products have proven higher antioxidant activity of free radicals. Biologic marking throughout the whole world guarantees that it contains no GMO product. Processed biological products are free of artificial preservatives and coloring agents.
Principles of biological agriculture include sustainability, respect to environment, as well as protection fauna and flora floras in natural form, because of keeping of balance. When buying a biological product, we do it not only because of our health; it is a benefit for our environment and investment in future of next generations.