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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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.