Use of organic products on the rise
PHOTO: EXPRESS
While many businesses in the country were badly affected during the Covid-19 pandemic, the production of organic material has flourished.
Experts say the cultivation of plants like rose, saffron, sohanjana and aloe vera is on the rise in the country. Various fruits, vegetables and herbs are being used in producing organic cosmetics, medicines and food items, whose demand is growing.
An entrepreneur, Najam Mazari, who has been making cosmetics and food items from herbs fruits and other plants for several years, told The Express Tribune that the country was producing more than 500 organic products. “However, we still have to import different herbs and other plants,” he said.
He said 40 per cent of the ingredients of organic products required in Pakistan were grown in the country, while 60% had to be imported. A substantial amount could be saved by replacing the imports with increased local production.
Mazari said the country had been bestowed with the four seasons, making it suitable for the cultivation of all kinds of fruits, vegetables, herbs and other plants.
He stressed the need for attracting farmers towards contributing to the organic products’ sector and guiding them for the purpose.
Saffron cultivation has recently started in different parts of the country. Aloe vera, sohanjana and olives are also being cultivated. “In the same way, we can cultivate sandal, which is currently brought from India.”
Mazari said several economic sectors had suffered losses during the pandemic, leaving many factories and mills closed, but in the meantime the business of organic products had flourished.
He said it was estimated that the size of the market for organic products had doubled during the past couple of years.
“This is because people are now using more organically grown crops and products as compared to those having chemical components because of concerns about their health. However, the demand for chemical products in the country is still higher as compared to organic products. The reason is that chemical products are cheaper and give immediate results. The results are not long lasting, but people use such products,” he added.
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council Chairman Dr Ghulam Mohammed Ali said the demand for organic agricultural products is increasing at a faster pace than other commodities. He said organic food is already preferred by people in other countries.
He said there were a number of regions in the country that were suitable for organic farming and the practice had already started there. The trend needed to be promoted, he added.
He said there were several types of plants that could be grown at a small scale to help reduce imports and substantially increase the income of the farmers.
Replying to a question, Saman Asad, a fashion and beauty consultant, said there was a growing trend among the men as well as women to try to look beautiful. She said men were also very serious about their skin, especially its cleansing, and cosmetics made from different chemicals were used for the purpose. She said such products caused various diseases, including skin cancer, despite giving desired apparent results, so there was a need to support organic products.
She said that rather than using cosmetics, it was more important to eat healthy organic food. She said consuming food free of chemical ingredients would the need for cosmetic products.
The expert said strengthening the organic products would also contribute to supporting the farmers and the country’s economy.
When contacted, Punjab Agriculture Extension Department Director General Dr Anjum Ali Butter said his team was trying to attract farmers to cultivate high-value crops instead of the traditional ones.
“Not only have awareness programmes been launched for the purpose but people in many areas are already cultivating high-value crops and earning manifold profit than before,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2021.