The Golden Temple in Amristar has showed the way to the world again and this time it has risen to support the cause of organic farming. The world famous langar hall in Golden Temple has started preparing organic food, which would be served to the devotees attending the langar.
The shrine is known for its community kitchen which has around one lakh devotees preparing food for the pilgrims that they term as community service or kar sewa.
SGPC farm attached with the Gurdwara Gurusar Satlani Sahib near Attari. [Image courtesy: The Hindustan Times]
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has taken this initiative in the hope that it will motivate other gurudwara committees to follow suit, reports The Hindustan Times.
SGPC additional secretary Daljit Bedi spoke to HT and said, “In January, we started serving organic carrot, radish, spinach, and cabbage as part of langar. The purpose is to serve devotees food that is chemical-free.”
Right now the supply of organically grown produce such as veggies and dals is limited but the SGPC is planning to increase it over time. Right now it receives only 10 quintals once in every 3-4 days.
The report also says that the organic produce is being grown at a seven-acre land comes from the seven-acre land at the Gurdwara Gurusar Satlani Sahib near Attari and the first seeds were sown about 18 months back.
Chemical-free organic vegetables being prepared at the langar hall. [Image courtesy: The Hindustan Times]
The committee also has plans to sow organic wheat and even fruits in the coming months that could be used for the langar. It also plans to take advice from Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited for better growth and produce.
The benefits of organic food
While there has been a big debate going on regarding the benefits of organic produce versus conventional produce, there are a number of valid reasons that should be enough for you to go organic.
- Organic food is devoid of pesticides and chemicals, which are excessively used by conventional farmers in India to protect their crops from molds, insects and diseases. Many of these pesticides are laden with chemicals that can leave a residue on the crop. Organic food products in comparison carry fewer pesticide residues.
- If you go organic, you also get food that it is free of all additives, artificial colour, and food dyes, which can be harmful over a period of time, especially in case of kids.
- A number of studies have shown that organic food has a high content of antioxidants as the foreign chemicals are not interacting negatively with the vitamins and other nutrients of the food. It also reduces your exposure to heavy, toxic metals. Antioxidants are those magical chemical compounds that fight free radical damage and prevent a number of life-threatening diseases such as cancer.
- Organic farming uses natural fertilisers such as manure which is safer than chemical fertilisers.
- Lastly, organic farming can benefit the environment in the long run as their is minimal soil, air and water pollution.
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