Rural poverty reduction and conservation of the environment.

Understanding “Organic” The word “organic” is a described term under Codex Alimentarius - Organically Produced Foods. Many countries have specific regulations on production, processing and labelling on the subject. Agriculture based food products using this term are expected to follow a holistic production management system. This organic management system is based on specific and precise standards which aim at achieving optimal agro-ecosystems which are socially, ecologically and economically sustainable. Where possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed synthetic materials are used and nutrient circles are closed. Not only the agronomic production system but also the processing and packaging have to be sustainable and create environment friendly high-quality products. Packaging must define, the ‘personality' & the saleability of organic food. Food industry is the largest beneficiary of the developments in packaging industry. Packaging is a term encompassing functions, materials and overall concepts of a system including handling, shipment, storage, marketing, distribution and compatible with the product. Organic products in simple terms do not contain any kind of chemicals and hence are expected to reach consumers in such condition in their packages. It is important to note that safety of human consumption and environment protection are the most important aims of organic food packaging. However, organic products when not treated as commodities or traded in bulk have to tell the potential buyer what differentiates them from all the other options. For organic products to distinguish themselves on department store shelves from non-organic foods, unusual packaging is an obvious solution, as it defines, partially, the ‘personality' and the saleability of the product. In addition, for both, primary and secondary packaging, materials that are recyclable, recycled, non-polluting are preferred. With no visual differentiation between organic and non-organic food, we need to appreciate: Consumer’s perceptions on organic food and its packaging must be addressed together. Organic food business, unless sustainable will not be viable in the long run, and this includes packaging. Packaging material and design must meet environmental considerations. “Organic” is typically a premium product and the target audience needs to see the difference in the purchasing experience through packaging. Organic food often is not cheap, and people tend to pay more (than usual) for products that look nice and provide them a value. Packaging can provide value addition. An efficient differentiation can be created by the use of organic certification, logo and environment friendly and safe packaging. Organic products and sustainable packaging Sustainable packaging is a term that is associated with simplicity, cost reduction and materials savings, without sacrificing the benefits of convenient, easy to use, and environment friendly packaging design. Sustainable packaging for organic food is characterized by the following criteria: It is beneficial, safe, and healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle; It meets market criteria for performance and cost; It is sourced, manufactured, transported and tested for its intended use; It maximizes the use of renewable or recycled source materials; It is manufactured using clean production techniques and best practices; It is designed to minimize the need of materials and energy; and It is recovered effectively and used in biological and/or industrial cradle to cradle cycle (C2C). Conclusion Buyers of organic products are well aware of the health and safety issues and have a basic idea of keeping our biodiversity and environment intact. Actual challenges are how Organic product–packaging, combine can satisfy economic, social and environmental requirements related to production, distribution and consumption to further enhance the wellbeing of our society. Rajiv Dhar