From Waste to Harvest: South Korea's Program Converts Food Scraps into Bountiful Crops

South Korea has launched an innovative program aimed at reducing food waste and promoting sustainable agriculture. The program, which was developed by the South Korean government, aims to reuse 90% of the country's food scraps to grow crops instead of sending them to landfills. According to the United Nations, one-third of all food produced globally goes to waste, with up to 40% of that waste occurring at the consumer level. In South Korea, food waste accounts for more than 20% of all waste generated in the country. To combat this issue, the South Korean government has implemented a new system that collects food waste from households and businesses and turns it into compost. The compost is then used to grow vegetables, fruits, and other crops in urban farms located throughout the country. The program has been a success, with more than 70,000 tons of food waste collected and reused since its launch in 2013. The program has also helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting food waste from landfills, where it can emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The initiative has been praised for its innovative and sustainable approach to waste management and agriculture. It has also been credited with promoting community engagement and education around sustainable living practices. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and food insecurity, programs like this offer a glimmer of hope for a more sustainable future.

 Initiative to promote organic vegetable gardening 

Run by the Bengal Agriculture Department, now Kolkata’s Eco Park will have its first organic herbal restaurant. Called as Roof-Katha, this restaurant has a rooftop organic garden. All the food served in this restaurant will be made of the organic vegetables produced in their garden. The vegetables grown in the garden have only organic fertilizers, rain water and sunlight. Few of the vegetables grown in the garden will be also made available in the market. This restaurant is the state government initiative to promote the idea of organic farming and use of organic fertilisers.  The agricultural department of the state had also previously given green certification to the building residents who implement the similar garden in their society premises.  This department is also planning to set up a stall that will sell the organic fertilisers to those who wish to buy them and start such organic gardening. It is surely a good move in the state to promote the idea of organic farming and making people aware to use organic fertilisers for farming.