Organic Pomegranate

Organic Pomegranate: A Nutrient-Rich Delight

Organic pomegranates are produced in compliance with the organic farming standards set by the government. During the farming process of these pomegranates, farmers do not use artificial or synthetic fertilizers and sewage sludge (as a fertilizer). Also, these pomegranates are not stored with the help of radiation. To preserve their natural nutrition multiple other precautions are also taken. As a result, this delectable fruit gains enormous nutritional value and becomes an excellent immunity booster.

Benefits of Organic Pomegranates

• Highly nutritious: Organic pomegranates have high concentrations of antioxidants in comparison to conventionally grown ones. Their regular consumption can safeguard the health of your gut microbiome, kidney, and heart to some extent.

• Lower level of chemicals: Organic pomegranates are produced under strict standards, they do not contain pesticides and metals which are present in conventional pomegranates at an alarming scale.

• Easy on earth: When pomegranates are cultivated organically they cause less pollution to nearby water bodies. It also reduces soil degradation by promoting soil health.
  

Organic Pomegranate Nutritional Content

• Vitamin & Mineral Content
  

A 100-gram portion of an organically-grown pomegranate has 16.4 mcg of vitamin K and 10.2 mg of vitamin C. Both of these vitamins are essential for boosting immunity. If a person relies solely on pomegranate for their daily vitamin requirements, they must consume more than 100 grams of the fruit.

Pomegranate is rich in potassium as well. This is why it helps in nerve conduction, blood pressure management, and muscle control. Apart from vitamins and potassium, this fruit contains calcium, folate, phosphorus, and magnesium.

• Dietary Fibre & Sugar Content
  

A 100-gram portion of organically-grown pomegranate carries nearly 4 grams of dietary fiber and around 14 grams of sugar. Even though the sugar content is high, dietary fiber strikes a balance. It also maintains gut health by preventing indigestion.

Economic Importance of Organic Pomegranate

Pomegranate cultivation has become a highly lucrative agriculture business in India. The substantially high monetary return per unit area from this crop has brought a decent rise in farming as well as the export of pomegranate.
As per some studies on the health benefits of this fruit, it has been reassured that not just the fruit is beneficial, but most of the plant including its leaves, flowers, peel, and even roots contain bioactive phytochemicals. These phytochemicals contain antimicrobial properties, hence they are used for:

• keeping diabetes, blood sugar, and cancer in check

• making cosmetic products (creams, soaps, serums, etc.) that address anti-aging concerns

This has increased public awareness about the consumption of organic pomegranates as they are better in terms of nutrition and quality which ultimately results in their increased demand across the globe.

Opportunities in the Organic Pomegranate Market

The organic pomegranate market holds massive opportunities due to the versatility of the fruit. It is being used in diverse industries for manufacturing different types of products. Apart from being consumed as a fruit, it is used in the production of:

• Smoothies

• Jams

• Juices

• Anardana

• Bakery Products

• Flavored Yogurt

• Cookies

• Anti-ageing products

• Skincare products (Serums, lip balms, toners, moisturizers)

• Lipsticks

• Blushes

• Medicinal products
  

This variety of uses opens up avenues for product development and innovation to a greater extent. As a result, the global market for organic pomegranates is expanding fast. From individual customers to brands using pomegranate and its byproducts, everyone is choosing healthier and sustainable options. Hence, the demand for organic pomegranates is at an all-time high. And, it is expected to increase even more.

Health Benefits of Consuming Organic Pomegranate

• Improves digestive health: Pomegranate may have prebiotic effects, which can increase levels of beneficial gut bacteria. Prebiotics play a crucial role in maintaining a healthier gut microbiome. Along with this, pomegranate arils consist of fiber, which is also important for a healthy digestive system.
  

• Good for the brain: Pomegranate can help in reducing inflammation in the body as it is rich in an antioxidant called ellagitannins. As per some studies, ellagitannins help in protecting the brain against diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. This is because this antioxidant reduces oxidative damage and enhances the survival rate of brain cells. However, more intense research is required to be done in this case.
  

• Improves exercise endurance: Pomegranates are believed to be rich in polyphenols which help substantially in increasing exercise endurance. As per studies, pomegranate supplements may improve both muscle recovery as well as endurance. However, intense research is still required in this matter.
  

• Prevents oral problems: Pomegranate is rich in certain compounds that can fight harmful microorganisms and keep a check on germs and bacteria that are bad for oral health. By fighting off harmful fungi, yeasts, and bacteria, they can prevent oral problems like bad breath and tooth decay.
  

• Protects urinary health: Experts say that pomegranate extract can actually help in reducing the formation of kidney stones. The extract of this appetizing fruit was found to have a mechanism linked with stone formation in people suffering from recurrent kidney stones.
  As per some studies done on animals, it has been found that pomegranate extract is useful in regulating the concentration of phosphates, oxalates, and calcium in the blood. These elements are common components of kidney stones.

• May be good for heart health: Any fruit that is rich in polyphenolic compounds may benefit heart health, and pomegranate contains this particular compound in sufficient quantity.
  

After a study on heart patients, it was observed that the severity of chest pain and its frequency reduced after the consumption of pomegranate juice.

Important Factors For Organic Pomegranate Farming

Climate

Climate conditions play a crucial role in the farming of organic pomegranate. It is a dry and semi-arid crop that requires a temperature of 35 – 38 ° C and land 500m above sea level for being of their best quality.

Soil

Another crucial factor for ideal farming is the soil quality. Soil with a pH level between 6.5-7.5 is best for pomegranates, it allows the plant to grow better and provide more yield per acre.

Tissue Culture Propagation

Tissue culture is a modern-day technique used to multiply plants. It helps in maintaining disease-free plants. Hence, for a reliable cultivation process, it is better to adopt tissue culture propagation.

Fertilizer Management

Pomegranates need very limited fertilizers which is an advantage for farmers. As you may already know while cultivating anything in an “organic” manner, farmers are not supposed to use chemical-based or toxic fertilizers. Hence, when the crop itself doesn’t require tricky fertilizers, farmers can easily put up with cow dung and cured house waste.

Common Issues In Organic Pomegranate Farming And Their Solutions

Organic farming of pomegranate is not a cumbersome task, the crop is easy to grow, however, one should be cautious of:

Mites: These sapsuckers might create a problem for the crop. But they can be handled with horticultural oils which are non-toxic.
Fruit Fly: In spite of having thick skin, pomegranates can get attacked by fruit flies. To avoid them one can use exclusion netting or bags. Other than this, some OCP eco-lure traps can be hung around to trap the flies.

Splitting Fruit: Pomegranates split due to two main reasons, here they are:

• When the fruit stays on the tree for too long, it might start splitting. Hence it is better to pluck pomegranates once they have ripened.

• Excess of moisture (due to rain or improper watering) can also cause splitting. Pomegranate trees are short, hence plastic shields can be used to protect the fruit under heavy rainfall. Also, mindful watering should be adhered to.