Lahore residents take a liking to organic products
Health-consciousness prompts change as people are turning to more naturally grown items

Published: 00:00 April 10, 2010


Lahore: Shoppers in Lahore have changed habits. Instead of coming home with over-sized, bright red tomatoes or plump vegetables bursting out of their skins, they are going for far more shrivelled specimens.

But there is a reason. "Organically grown vegetables are so much healthier and tastier, even though they don't look so good. I try to buy only those grown without the use of fertilisers or chemical pesticides," said Farzana Hasan.

Over the past two or three years, several outlets in Lahore have begun selling organically grown produce. The demand for the items has gone up as people realise the health benefits.

Studies conducted by government bodies have in the past noted that the soil in and around Lahore contains high levels of pesticide residue and industrial effluent. There have also been reports about deformities in children caused by excessive toxins in soil.

As a result, people are turning to more naturally grown items. Alongside vegetables, free-range, grain-fed poultry is also now more easily available — as opposed to chicken raised in coops.

Of course, there is a catch. As is the case worldwide, the prices of organic produce are high.

"I would love to buy organic stuff for my kids, but the fact is that as a single, working mother, I simply cannot afford it," said Asma Ahmad, who says she struggles to pay school fees and buy basic necessities.

Farmers, however, point out that growing wheat without fertiliser or pesticide requires more intensive effort and gives smaller yields, making high prices inevitable.

As consciousness grows about the risks of food laced with chemicals, people have found their own solutions. "I was increasingly concerned about the risks of vegetables sprayed with pesticide, so I worked with my wife on a kitchen garden," said Altaf Ali.

This is despite the fact that Altaf and his family live in an apartment.

"Our garden grows on the large balcony outside our bedroom. We have tomatoes growing on a vine, peppers in pots and lettuce in a container apart from herbs and other items."

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/pakistan/lahore-residents-take-a-liking-to-organic-products-1.610214