The World of Organic Farming and three Organic Treasures

Organic farming may have been used interchangeable with the process of not using artificial pesticides, fertilizers, and GMO. Organic farming is however, a process that involves growth of produce and livestock while sustainably optimizing productivity and increasing the fitness of the communities within the agriculture ecosystem including livestock, the earth, people and soil organisms. Farming must adhere to certain standards by certified bodies of agriculture. Organic farming has spread to various produces such as sesame seeds, organic dried fruit , organic vegetables, and fruit.

Organic farming includes; protecting the environment by minimizing soil degradation, optimizing biological activity in the soil to increase soil fertility, maintain biological diversity within the ecosystem, to the extent greatly possible organic farming stresses upon recycling materials, Livestock must be kept with care and their behavior, as well as health, needs to be met, maintenance of organic integrity and quality through reduction in processing of products and lastly, relying on renewable energy for production. Organic produce is free of chemical pesticides, it has a lesser carbon footprint on the ecosystem and tastes like actual produce in comparison to genetically modified produce.

Organic rice is any variety of rice that is grown according to a set standard of farming. Organic rice producers take caution of methods such as; no usage of synthetic or artificial pesticides instead natural forms of pest control is used, maintenance of soil fertility is done through natural processes such as cover crop, application of composted manure, and plant wastages. rice producers also use rotate the crop production in different fields every year so to maintain the soil. This is contributing to earth protection and promoting healthier earth reducing the carbon footprint (through lower levels of chemical usage) and conserving water. All types of rice are available organically, including white rice, brown rice, long grain is broken, jasmine rice and other types of rice as well. The lowest arsenic rice is Basmati rice found in Pakistan, India, and California produced by rice producers.

Another that is worthy of mention is organic sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are famous oilseed crops, they're one of the oldest crops. It is one of the highly concentrated oil seeds; it has a nutty flavor and is used as a common ingredient in dishes across the globe. It is important that sesame seeds are consumed without removing the outer layer. However, inorganic sesame seeds may contain dangerous pesticides and may be a hazard to your health. Hence it is important that sesame seeds be consumed to reduce the risk of consuming any traces of harmful chemical.

Dried foods are widely consumed in people's diets around the world which have zero water content but provide an energy dense fruit. An important dilemma however is the presence of sulfites in dried fruits that are available conventionally. To avoid this, it is important that consumers buy Organic dried fruits. It is a common problem that dried fruit does not have an as long shelf life as conventionally dried fruit, however, it is of value to note that dried fruit can be frozen for storage purposes.

Read About Organic Foods

Various startups in conjunction with American companies started a business in the early nineties and have been in this business for almost two decades now. They are known for processing rice, organic dried fruits, and seeds organically and delivering it worldwide. They are the first organic certified company that has acquired IFS, Fairtrade as well as Sedex certifications. Alongside the extent of their prosperity, they mean to grow their business while additionally utilizing procedures and strategies to spare water, decline contamination and stay by and large naturally cordial. Ventures, for example, dry cultivation and effectively controlled water system have been propelled so as to accomplish these objectives. Their vision is to bring new and present day innovation into Pakistan and produce merchandise that is profitable just as sound. They additionally pride themselves for creating low arsenic rice, as arsenic is extremely unsafe.

Arsenic diet and its effects

Arsenic is found in grown food products and is an exceptionally destructive metal substance. Abnormal amounts of arsenic is mainly found in regular rice. Arsenic can lead to various major health problems such as, neurological impairment, hypertension, heart attack, kidney and bladder disease, as well as reduced birth weight in infants. Because of this, it is advised by specialists to consume low arsenic rice, if possible. Taj Food has utilized present day innovation to decrease the levels of arsenic in their organic rice; they have additionally discovered areas with lower arsenic levels in the dirt for development so as to guarantee that their rice is solid.

Rice and its rising demand

The producers also offer a wide assortment of rice for clients to browse, this incorporates round grain rice that is available in both, white/cleaned form and contains lesser amounts of magnesium, iron and fiber than the dark colored structure, which has more nutrients. Low arsenic rice is additionally produced. Long grain rice and basmati grain rice is also produced, yet in white, dark colored and parboiled structure, which means that the rice grain is mostly cooked. Alongside this, red grain rice, which has a nutty flavor and a particular red shading, is likewise available. Lastly, medium grain rice is additionally accessible in a white and darker form. All the rice forms that have been mentioned are produced organically and contain low amounts of arsenic, as it is very harmful to the consumer.

Dried Fruits and their rising demand

Organic producers offer an assortment of organic dried fruits products for clients to browse; this includes dates in pitted, paste and chopped form with flour. Alongside this, they also offer three sorts of raisins: Raisins Sultana, Raisins Green and Raisins Thompson. Apricots in Kernel as well as sweet and sour flavor are likewise accessible. Taj Foods also produce dried apples, mulberries and pine nuts.

Pakistan’s Agricultural Sector’s Time of Reckoning

Pakistan’s economy can also be described as an agricultural economy, facets of which enable the country to exports its produce to countries worldwide. Whereas the current economic predicament of the country has had its fair share of ups and downs due to which the imports far exceeded the exports in turn resulting in closing of agricultural businesses and industries, the situation has somewhat improved due to political and social reforms resulting in agricultural industries returning to their former glory. One of the most vital catalysts of this agricultural industry is the organic product producers actively contributing to Pakistan’s economy.

Organic producers and their impact on economy

Leading suppliers of organic rice, organic dried fruits and seeds established themselves as market leaders who revolutionized the industry by providing best quality products via state of the art marketing methods. To ensure that the product it introduces in the market is of the highest quality, the key leading industries work in conjunction with the government, farmers and growers and constantly gives them feedback of the changing market trends so they are not left behind and remain relevant in this continuous cycle of demand and supply. 

Integration of newer methods to increase quality and quantity

In this pursuit of quality oriented and customer satisfaction based business, AKC commodities is proud to have the first IFS, Fairtrade and Sedex certified manufacturing plant in Pakistan, a quality of the company that is a testament to its forward thinking strategy. This manufacturing plant is the first of its kind to integrate ecofriendly operations and processes to decrease pollution drastically paving a way for a greener and sustainable future. This manufacturing plant also enables the company to provide the best variety of organic products such as rice and organic dried fruit at affordable prices without compromising on quality whatsoever.

Organic products and their varieties.

Other than being the leading organic rice producers that have an export standard quality oriented lineup of various varieties of rice, Pakistan has a plethora of different products that are appreciated and exported across the world apart from being bought off the shelves of supermarkets across the country. The country is also a leading supplier of organic and locally sourced dried fruits. The product lineup includes different types of apricots such as sweet and sour and apricot kernels which help in treating in various different ailments in men and women and provide relief to strained muscles. Furthermore, a variety of different dates and their styles of presentations are also offered by the country with chopped dates and pitted dates being the most popular. Mulberries of both white and black species which are vital for anthocyanin regeneration; a compound that increases immunity against various different diseases is also supplied with various different products such as pine nuts and raisins such as the green raisins, sultana raisins, and Thompson raisins to meet the demands of the diverse markets. This extensive product portfolio has opened newer revenue streams and earned the country massive recognition, especially as far as organic dried fruit is concerned.

AKC commodities

AKC commodities is a company that was started in the early 90’s in order to supply organic rice, seeds as well as dried fruits across the United States, but they also ship their products worldwide too. Taj Foods, their processing plant, is currently the first organic certified manufacturer with various certifications such as IFS, Sedex and Kosher certifications, present in Pakistan, offering a high standard of organic rice, dried fruits and seeds.

AKC plans to produce grow their products in such a way that they minimize pollution, save water and also spread environmental awareness amongst people. They have launched projects such as dry cultivation and efficient water irrigation systems to remain more environmentally friendly. 

Vision and Mission

Their vision is to produce the highest quality of organic rice, dried fruits and seeds in the market and satisfy their customers greatly by matching all of their needs.

Their mission is to bring newer and more efficient technologies to not only produce the highest quality of products but to also ship them worldwide.

Rice and its Contents

AKC commodities offers a wide variety of organic rice options for customers to choose from, this includes Round grain rice, which are offered in both, white/polished form that has its husk removed during the milling process, as well as brown form, which has more vitamins as it has not been polished. Brown rice also contains more vitamins and takes longer to cook.

They also offer long grain rice; this has various types such as white whole grain rice, organic long grain broken rice, which is also of two types, white organic long grain broken as well as brown organic long grain broken rice. Parboiled or partially boiled rice is another type that is offered within this range.

Apart from this, AKC commodities also offer Basmati rice, which is again offered in four forms, white, brown, parboiled and steamed form.  

AKC also produces medium grain rice, which is a milky type of rice and has low levels of arsenic. It is again produced in two types, white and brown. And lastly, they also produce red grain rice, which is red in color and has a nutty flavor. It is very beneficial and contains a lot of fiber.

 Types of Dried Fruits Produced

Apart from rice, AKC commodities also produces a wide variety of dried fruits in order to satisfy their customers. These include apricot kernels, apricots wild sweet or sour, chopped dates, pitted dates, mulberries, pine nuts, and raisins in green, sultana and Thompson form. As mentioned earlier, all these dried fruits are organic in nature and therefore offer more vitamins.

Sesame Seeds and their benefits

AKC commodities produce two types of organic seeds, these include sesame seeds in natural form, and sesame seeds in hulled form, which have a dry outer layer. Organic sesame seeds are exceptionally nutritional and contain iron, magnesium, copper as well as calcium. 

They contain anti-oxidants and also have anti-cancer properties and are also said to reduce blood pressure levels.