Applied Agriculture

INFORMATION ON FARM MANAGEMENT, AGRI INPUTS, AGRI BUSINESS, URBAN GARDENING, GOVT. SCHEMES

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION PROCESS IN INDIA

In simple terms organic refers to deriving from a natural source. The demand for organic food products is growing gradually as there are no synthetic chemicals used during cultivation. So farmers are also showing interest in organic cultivation. Organic products can bring more profit to farmers as the demand of the produce is more.

Organic certification increases the value of the product and it attracts more customers resulting in more profit. But the organic certification goes through certain regulations and approval procedures. Sometimes farmers are not aware of the procedures and their certification process gets delayed. Here we discuss the step by step process of organic certification in India.


 I am trying to give complete details in a simple understandable way, so that farmers can easily understand the process and go for organic certification.


Indian Organic Certification Agencies

  • In India there are mainly 2 types of organic certification processes that are popular. One is given by APEDA and the other one is given by PGS-India. So let us discuss these two types of organic certification in India.


  • Another certification is given by FSSAI. It is a consumer based certification. This certification is given to both APEDA and PGS-India certified products. FSSAI organic certified logo is JAIVIK BHARAT.



Comparison of Organic Certification agencies (APEDA Vs PGS-India) 

APEDA Organic Certification

  • The APEDA comes under the Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India.

  • Individual farmers and also groups of farmers can apply for this certification process.

  • Commercial crops, livestock, wild forest products can be certified under this certification.

  • This certification mainly focused towards export of organic products to foreign countries.

  • APEDA organic certification process is costly, near about INR 10,000 to 50,000 will be the expenditure cost in a year.

  • APEDA organic certification gives ‘INDIA ORGANIC’ LOGO.

  • Farmers will have to wait for a minimum of three years for the APEDA certification process. 

  • In this process the organic products are only certified. Not the farm.


PGS-INDIA Organic Certification

  • PGS-India organic certification comes under, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

  • Individual farmers can not apply for the PGS-India organic certification process. It only allows a group of farmers to apply for this certification.

  • Farmers will have to join in a group or can make a new group with at least five members to apply for this certification.

  • PGS-India organic certification cost is free.

  • PGS-India certified products can only be marketed in India only.

  • Farmers can get PGS-India logo for their products from the first year. It is not necessary to wait for a long time like APEDA certification. From the first year farmers can use the PGS India green logo.

  • PGS India Green logo used for areas under organic conversion and PGS India Organic logo used for completely converted organic areas.

  • PGS-India is adopted under PKVY scheme.

  • In this process the farm is organic certified.


Let us discuss APEDA and PGS-India organic certification in brief.

Agricultural and processed food products export development authority (APEDA)

  • (APEDA) has its headquarters at New Delhi. APEDA has Five Regional Offices at Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Guwahati.

  • The Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India is implementing the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) managed by APEDA.

  • The programme involves organic farming, promotion and marketing of organic products. 

  • The NPOP standards for production and accreditation have been recognized by European Commission and Switzerland for unprocessed plant products as equivalent to their country standards. 

  • ‘Indian organic’ products duly certified by the accredited certification bodies of India are accepted by the importing countries. 

  • APEDA is also in the process of negotiation with South Korea, Taiwan, Canada, Japan etc for exporting.

  • APEDA PRODUCTS- click here to know the APEDA products.

  • All products that are organic certified under APEDA, should display the ‘India Organic’ logo for customers, to easily identify certified products.

  • For applying organic certification under APEDA, farmers will have to contact APEDA recognised Certification Bodies for the certification process.

  • These Certification Bodies will verify the field and provide certification. Click here to know the certification agencies. Farmers may go for these agencies, check their cost structure before applying for the certification process.

  • To apply for APEDA registration you may click here.

National standards for organic production(NSOP) For APEDA/NPOP certification. 

The organic certification based on some standards are as follows;

  1. Conversion Requirements

  • Farmers' land should be converted for organic farming. The time period  between the start of organic management and certification of crops and/or animal husbandry is known as the conversion period. The whole farm, including livestock, should be converted according to the standards up to a period of three years.

  • Converted farm land and animals shall not get switched back and forth between organic and conventional management.

  • Organic farming should contribute to the benefit of the ecosystem.

 

  1. Choice of Crops and Varieties

All inputs like seeds and plant material should be certified organic. Crop varieties should be adapted to the soil and climatic conditions and be resistant to pests and diseases.

  1. Fertilisation Policy

  • Biodegradable plant or animal origin products should be used in fertilisation programmes.

  • Non synthetic mineral fertilisers and fertilisers of biological origin are to be regarded as supplementary and not a replacement for nutrient recycling. 

  • Proper pH levels should be maintained in the soil. 

  • Manures containing human excreta (faeces and urine) should not be used.


  1. Disease, Pest and Weed Management

  • Pests and diseases and weeds should be controlled by preventive cultural techniques which limit their development. Crop rotations, green manuring, balanced fertilisation, mulching, mechanical control and the disturbance of pest development cycles.

  • Organic Products used for pest, disease and weed management should be prepared at the farm. 

  • Use of synthetic chemicals like herbicides, fungicides, insecticides is prohibited.


  1. Contamination Control 

  • Proper care should be taken to minimise contamination from outside areas and from within the farm.

  • Protected structures like coverings, plastic mulches, insect netting and silage wrapping made from polyethylene, polypropylene or other polycarbonates are allowed. 

  • These structures are to be removed from the soil after use and shall not be burnt on the farmland. 

  • The use of polychloride based products are prohibited on the farm.


  1. Soil and Water Conservation

Proper measures should be taken to prevent erosion, salination of soil, excessive and improper use of water and the pollution of ground and surface water.


  1. Wild harvested products organic certification

  • Wild harvested products shall only be certified organic if originated from a stable and sustainable growing environment.

  •  Harvesting or gathering the product shall not threaten the existence of plant or animal species. 

  • The collection area should be at an appropriate distance from conventional farming. 

For more details on standards of organic production- Click here


Participatory Guarantee System for India                  (PGS-India)

  • The PGS-India system is based on a participatory approach, having a shared vision, transparency and trust.

  • PGS-India standards have been defined in accordance with National Standards for Organic Production (NSOP) prescribed under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) to maintain uniformity in organic production and quality of organic products in the country. For more details please click here.

  • To register under PGS-India you may visit the site- Click here.

  • To join a farmers group select ‘local group’ on the site and if you want to make a new group, go to login then select local group login button on the PGS-India site. New group will have to apply to the regional council for the PGS-India certification process.

  • PGS-India also provides a dedicated site for online sale and purchase of organic products- Jaivik Kheti.



ORGANIC CERTIFICATION PROCESS IN INDIA
image source-(
www.prakati.in)




Bottom Line

Hope this article may provide a basic idea about organic certification processes in India. The organic certified products fetch more income to the farming community, so farmers should go for the certification and increase their product value.

Thank you.










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 













WHAT IS A FARMER PRODUCER ORGANISATION (FPO)


Before we go to study about PO/FPO first we have to know what is an organisation and how it is important in different aspects than a single person's work.


A single person face different challenges as follows

  1. Face difficulty in purchase of quality inputs at a competitive rate.

  2. Can not use different machinery to enhance his production due to high cost involvement.

  3. Face difficulty in marketing his produce in the market at a good price.

  4. Can not get proper benefits from banks and other institutions.

  5. Can not get proper training and knowledge etc..


The above challenges can be reduced by the concept of organisation ( Unity works). 


  • Organisation is a group of people working together  for a common goal.

  • people working together can achieve more than a person working alone.

  • The perfect example of a good organisation is the work of honey bees. 

What is a producer organisation (PO)?

A Producer Organisation (PO) is a legal body formed by primary producers like farmers, milk

producers,weavers, fishermen,rural artisans, craftsmen etc. They share the profits and benefits among the members in the organisation.


Farmer Producer Organisation(FPO)

  • It is one type of producer organisation where the members are from farming communities..

  • Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) is providing support for promotion of FPOs


What are the essential features of a PO?

  • It is formed by a group of producers belonging to either farm or non-farm sectors.

  • It is a registered body and a legal entity.

  • Producers are shareholders in the organisation.

  • It deals with business activities related to the primary produce/product.

  • It works for the benefit of the member producers.

  • A part of the profit is shared amongst the producers.

  • Rest of the surplus is added to its owned funds for business expansion.


The owner of producer organisation(PO)

  • The ownership of the producer organisation (PO)  is with its members.

  • Different government or private institutions, individuals may promote the PO by registration, business planning and several other operations but the ownership control is always with members.


Who provides support for promotion of PO?

Government Departments,NABARD, SFAC, Corporates and Domestic & International Aid

Agencies provide financial and/or technical support to the Producer Organisation Promoting

Institution (POPI) for promotion of the PO. 


An NGO may work as a POPI but it does not take part in profit sharing of PO.


Different legal forms of PO

Producer Organisation(PO) can be registered under any of the following legal provisions:


  • Cooperative Societies Act/ Autonomous or Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies Act of the respective State.

  • Multi-State Cooperative Society Act, 2002

  • Producer Company under Section 581(C) of Indian Companies Act, 1956, as amended in 2013.

  • Section 25 Company of Indian Companies Act, 1956, as amended as Section 8 in 2013.

  • Societies registered under Society Registration Act, 1860.

  • Public Trusts registered under Indian Trusts Act, 1882.


Notes

  • Registration as producer companies and cooperative societies have legal provisions for sharing of profit earned by the PO by way of dividend. Other legal forms may not give flexibility in profit sharing provision. 

  • producer companies are more beneficial than cooperative societies. 



What are the important activities of a PO?

The PO could undertake the following activities:


  1. Procurement of inputs.

  2. Disseminating market information.

  3. Dissemination of technology and innovations.

  4. Facilitating finance for inputs.

  5. Aggregation and storage of produce.

  6. Primary processing like drying, cleaning and grading.

  7. Brand building, Packaging, Labeling and Standardization.

  8. Quality control.

  9. Marketing to institutional buyers.

  10. Participation in commodity exchanges.

  11. Export.

How would a Producer Organisation(PO) help its members?

  • By analysing the demand for inputs, the PO can buy in bulk, thus procuring at cheaper price as compared to individual purchase. 

  • By transporting in bulk, cost of transportation is reduced. Thus reducing the overall cost of Production. 

  • The PO may aggregate the produce of all members and market in bulk,which fetches a better price per unit of produce. 

  • The PO can also provide different market information to the producers.


What is Producer Organisation Promoting Institution (POPI)?

  • An NGO, a bank branch, a Government Department, a Cooperative Society or any Association or the Federation can become a POPI. 

  • POPIs may get support from SFAC and NABARD for managing part of the recurring cost incurred for promotion of the PO.

  • The responsibility of the POPI is to see that the members of the PO acquire proper technical and managerial skills to run the business successfully.


Expenses for registration of a PO

The main expenditures are registration fee, stamp duty, preparation of documents and facilitation charges etc. 


Expenses for registration of a PO
     (Source: NABARD)


Support from SFAC , NABARD and Govt. of India  for producer organisation(PO)


From SFAC

  • The Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) operates a Credit Guarantee Fund to mitigate credit risks of financial institutions which lend to the Farmers Producer Companies(one form of PO) without collateral.


  • This helps FPCs(Farmers Producer Companies) get credit from financial institutions for establishing and operating businesses.


  • SFAC also provides matching equity grants up to Rs. 10 lakh to the FPCs.

  • More details available on www.sfacindia.com


From NABARD

  • A fund titled “Producers Organisation Development Fund” has been created by NABARD to provide financial support to the POs.

  • NABARD  lends to POs for contribution towards share capital on a matching basis (1:1 ratio) to enable the PO to access higher credit from banks. This is a loan without collateral which will have to be repaid by the PO after specified time. The maximum amount of such assistance is Rs. 25 lakh per PO with a cap of Rs. 25,000 per member.

  • NABARD also provides technical and managerial support to POs for capacity building, market intervention etc.


From Govt. of India

  • Government of India provides budgetary support to SFAC for its Equity Grant and CreditGuarantee Fund Scheme for the Farmer Producer Company.


  • For creation of storage and other agricultural marketing infrastructure under the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India), FPOs are eligible to get subsidies.Details are available at www.agmarknet.gov.in.


  • The Ministry of Rural Development also gives training support to POs. Details available at www.rural.nic.in.




You may also get a good understanding about FPO/PO from this audio visual clip of NABARD.https://www.nabard.org/FPO/story_html5.html


Source: NABARD, SFAC

Conclusion

I Hope this article may provide some understanding about PO/FPO/FPCs. For other details please contact SFAC, NABARD.


Thank you for spending some time here. Please follow the page and also on facebook for getting updates in time.This site always tries to provide some unique information and updates related to Agriculture and allied sectors in simple and understandable language.


Please share the article with the farming community and also give your valuable feedback, which will help as a constant motivation to bring more farming related articles.













Older Posts Home

MENU

  • Agri Business (7)
  • Crop Management (7)
  • Fertilizers (7)
  • Gardening (7)
  • Govt. Schemes (6)
  • Nutrition and Health (4)
  • Organic (5)
  • Soil Management (3)

Popular Posts

  • How to get Fertilizer License for Fertilizer business
  • Dragon Fruit and its methods of cultivation
  • Liquid Biofertilizers And Its Application Methods
  • ORGANIC CERTIFICATION PROCESS IN INDIA
  • How To Collect Soil Samples for Soil Testing
  • Different Types Of Fertilizers And Their Uses
  • Integrated Farming System in India (IFS) - A Brief Guide
  • What are millets? Types of millets and their health benefits
  • Fertigation And Water Soluble Fertilizers
  • How to Start Agricultural Business
Powered by Blogger.

Follow on Facebook

Applied Agriculture

About Me

My photo
soubhagya pradhan
This site is created and managed by Mr. Soubhagya Pradhan, a graduate in Agriculture. He is serving the farming community by sharing his farm related knowledge, skills and experiences. He takes initiative to reach more with the farming community by the help of this blog and share information on Agriculture and allied sectors.
View my complete profile

Followers

Support

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimers

Designed By OddThemes | Distributed By Blogger Templates