Organic agriculture is a method of food production that works in ecological balance aiming at a productive economy on a large, medium and small scale. Its structure uses natural production resources, resulting in healthy food, of high nutritional value and free of toxic residues. It also aims at the well-being of the farmer, the preservation of rural society and the self-sufficiency of the small farmer. Organic agriculture is among the various ecologically-based agriculture that has developed over the years, such as natural, biodynamic, sustainable, organic , among others.
The rules of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) do not allow the use of substances that endanger human health and the environment in organic agriculture. Synthetic, soluble, pesticide and transgenic fertilizers are not used. For commercialization, producers need to present a certificate from an Organic Conformity Assessment Body (OAC), accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The non-use of pesticides allows the preservation of the quality of the water used in irrigation and the non-pollution of the soil or the water table with chemical substances. Soil fertility is ensured by the use of a minimum management system. This method contributes to the restoration of local biodiversity , thus avoiding erosion and degradation. Due to all these factors, organic agriculture has expanded the capacity of local ecosystems and provided the sustainability of family farming.
According to the Agroecology Coordination (Coagre) of the Secretariat of Agricultural Development and Cooperativism (SDC), linked to Mapa, this type of cultivation in the field is already found in 22.5% of Brazilian municipalities and the prospects are even greater for 2017. Data indicate that growth has practically doubled in three years, jumping from 6,700 units in 2013 to approximately 15,700 in 2016. The Southeast is the region with the largest area of organic production, totaling 333 thousand hectares, with 2,729 records of producers in the National Commission of Agroecology and Organic Production (CNAPO). It is followed by the North (158 thousand hectares), Northeast (118.4 thousand), Central-West (101.8 thousand) and South (37.6 thousand) regions.
In 2016, the national organic market increased by 20% and had an estimated turnover of R$ 3 billion. Brazil is considered one of the largest potential for organic production for export. About 60% of Brazilian organic production goes outside the country. Another 30% of organic products are sold in the Brazilian market and the rest goes for their own consumption. In exports, the group composed of 54 companies associated with Organics Brasil, an international promotion program for sustainable organic producers, closed US$ 145 million in business. With the growth of the sector worldwide and the strong search for a healthier life, the expectation for this year is to increase exports by 10%. The director of Organics Brasil, Ming Liu, sees the expectations for the organic market in Brazil with great optimism. He believes that in 2017, with the improvement of the economy, the consumption of products without pesticides will increase. It is important to note that Brazil does not have official government statistics that indicate the total exports of organic products.