In the current state of our country, the most critical feature of healthy agricultural products is the residue levels of fertilizers and pesticides.
Just as we face a significant gap with global standards in air pollution across most cities, similar conditions apply to food and agricultural products. Farmers often resort to all possible means to maximize production, disregarding the actual needs of the plants or recommended practices. They excessively use fertilizers on high-value crops and overuse pesticides to reduce pest and disease damage. However, if these measures are applied at the right time and place, costs can be reduced, and unnecessary pesticide application can be avoided.
It is worth noting that producing healthy crops does not conflict with pest and disease control or even the use of pesticides. Today, biological control agents and biopesticides make it possible to combat harmful factors without any adverse effects on the crop. According to the executive regulations of Clause "B" of Article 61 of the Fourth Development Plan, a healthy product is defined as one that is free of toxic and contaminant elements or produced within Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). Based on this definition, a healthy product can result from organic agricultural practices free of toxic and contaminant elements, labeled as organic products, or other methods that result in contaminant levels below the permissible MRLs, such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
One of the World Health Organization's key concerns is pesticide use. Increased awareness among specialists and the general public about the short-term and long-term risks—such as carcinogenicity, nervous system diseases, respiratory disorders, reproductive issues, and genetic abnormalities—has drawn the attention of policymakers. This underscores the importance of promoting limited and need-based use of agricultural inputs, leading to the production of healthy products, greater public health, reduced disease burdens, and lower healthcare costs for the government. This approach also supports the psychological well-being of society.
GAP Products vs. Organic Products
Both GAP and organic products are produced based on specific standards to achieve healthy outcomes, but they differ significantly in method and implementation. GAP products can be produced on any farm, provided the production and supply process is controlled and inspected per GAP standards. These products are certified by an inspection body and meet permissible levels of contaminants, pesticides, and heavy metals, ensuring safety.
In contrast, organic products are the outcome of organic farming practices that prohibit synthetic inputs like chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and additives. Organic farming uses organic inputs like organic seeds, compost, beneficial insects, and microorganisms to produce crops sustainably. This holistic approach enhances biodiversity, soil health, and ecosystem sustainability while ensuring human health. Certified organic products are guaranteed to be free of toxic and contaminant elements.
Global Trends in Organic Agriculture
In the modern global landscape, consumers prioritize health and product quality, seeking assurance about product safety. Certification not only facilitates market access but also distinguishes products, provides promotional opportunities, and increases their market value. Collaborative efforts between private producers and specialists for small-scale, high-quality production based on GAP standards are encouraged. Certified producers can use the GLOBAL G.A.P. trademark for trade communications, identification, and differentiation at production sites, though this trademark is not used on consumer packaging.
Organic agriculture, a key branch of sustainable farming, has gained global attention due to increased public concern about food safety and environmental health. Organic products are among the healthiest and most nutritious food options, significantly improving quality of life. Consequently, organic products are now staples in major developed markets like Europe and Asia, particularly Japan, and are widely available in food stores.
The Role of Dates in Food Security
Dates, with their high nutritional value, play a significant role in ensuring food security, especially in underprivileged regions and developing countries suffering from malnutrition. Their unique traits, such as drought tolerance and adaptability to poor soil conditions, make dates vital for sustaining human settlements in arid and infertile regions. Iran, with over 400 known date varieties (some sources report 600), is among the world's richest genetic resources for dates.
Date varieties are classified into soft, semi-dry, and dry categories based on moisture content and texture. Key export-oriented varieties in Iran include Estameran, Piarom, Barhi, Mazafati, Zahidi, Kabkab, Rabbi, Deiry, Shahani, and Gantar, known for their quality and adaptability.
Goals of Organic Date Production
- Environmentally friendly palm orchard management
- Enhancing public health in harmony with ecological cycles
- Increasing profitability and ecosystem sustainability for date production
- Preserving genetic diversity in production systems and surroundings
- Providing care for all living organisms involved
- Producing biodegradable organic products
- Maximizing the use of renewable resources in date cultivation
- Supporting food security aligned with population growth
- Creating employment and income opportunities in date-producing regions
- Protecting natural resources and the environment of palm orchards
Challenges and Opportunities
While the global area under organic cultivation is increasing, challenges persist, such as rising global demand for organic products (90% of sales in North America and Western Europe), expanding standards, and the declining availability of suitable agricultural land. These factors highlight potential shortages in supply and suggest that demand will soon outpace supply. This scenario emphasizes the importance of improving efficiency, increasing organic date production, and accessing global markets.
Studies indicate that export markets increasingly prefer organic dates, reinforcing the need to transition towards organic date production to capture international markets.