URGENT NEED FOR HEALTH INDICATORS LINKED TO ORGANIC FARMING

Abstract

Scientific and Technological Development of last two centuries has placed lot of chemical burden and associated stress on the natural ecosystems.  In the process agricultural sector has also been under severe chemical burden.  For eradication of disease-causing pests and other organisms, pesticides (Agro chemicals) have been widely used in agricultural farms and in urban areas in order to protect lands and humans.  Drawing from the conclusions of various studies and Meta analysis on organic farming and development of health indicators, it is clearly seen that more research are needed for developing well defined health indicators.  They have to be developed and should be used to monitor the development of strategies pertaining to organic farming.  The Sustainable Development Goals do provide a very good opportunity towards developing such indicators linked to organic farming.  Data gaps and lack of indicators have made it difficult to measure and monitor the progress of Sustainable Development Goals and targets especially those linked to organic farming.  Hence, there is an urgent need to develop health indicators linked to organic farming to ensure healthy citizens of the future