National Day of Organic Production

On Saturday 3th of December Argentine organic producers paid homage to their activity, a production in constant growth.

Each 3th of December is celebrated in Argentina the National Day of Organic Production. This was established by law 26.295, approved and promulgated in late 2007 by the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina. Thus, thousands of Argentine producers paid tribute to a genuine form of produce last Saturday. The celebration is also an excellent opportunity to disseminate and raise awareness in society about organic production and consumption.

The choice of the date was not random. Precisely the same day each 3th of December marks the World Day of Non-Use of Agricultural Chemicals Synthesis. This day was launched by PAN (Pesticide Action Network) in 1998 in commemoration of the worst world chemical and industrial disaster occurred in 1984. This was the tragedy of Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal (India) which exploded and released a deadly gas (methyl isocyanate), causing 20.000 deaths and over 500.000 injured so far.

Since 2010, the International Day of Non-Use of Agrochemical Synthesis became the week of No Pesticide Use. In order to give greater exposure and awareness to the issue, the campaign ran from December 3rd to December 10th.

A frequent question in society is what is an organic product: is the one that is obtained from sustainable production systems, through the rational use of natural resources, non-use of synthetic chemical products, increasing and / or maintaining soil fertility and biodiversity, and support through records management endorse applied.

As an organic product must possess identity and integrity, it is important that it is certified by a certifier enabled. Organización Internacional Agropecuaria (OIA) is one of them, the first certification body authorized by Senasa for the certification of animal production. It is also empowered to certify organic crop production.

"When we started 20 years ago, it was an idea and you could talk about it as a small market niche, but it became a trend with a very clear market", said Eng. Pedro A. Landa, Director of OIA and President of MAPO (Argentine Movement for Organic Production). "The organic trend is present in all quasi-rational production system", said Landa.

As benefits, an organic producer maintains the sustainability of the system without erosion or contamination, leaving input dependent systems and incorporating high-technologies eco-friendlys, and access to the market with a differential product. Moreover, an organic consumer incorporates healthy food with more nutrients, and cares indirectly the environment.

In Argentina, the organic business grows 10% annually, and moves in the world some 60 thousand millions of dollars. The keys are a diversified offet and strong global demand. 98% of local production is exported, being Europe the main destination, supported by the United States. In Argentina, the sector employs some 2.000 small and medium companies among producers, industrialists, traders and certifiers.