Organic farming is the word today and organic
products have become the first choice of health-conscious population.
India has been earning a good amount of foreign exchange as well as
reputation by exporting organic products. Certifying and grading these
products would be the next best step to match the rising popularity.
Organic farming uses fertilizers and pesticides but excludes or strictly limits the use of manufactured (synthetic) fertilizers, pesticides (which include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides), plant growth regulators such as hormones, livestock antibiotics, food additives, and genetically modified organisms.
Why Organic Farming!
Organic agriculture is the oldest form of agriculture on earth. Technological progress during World War II [8] resulted in post-war innovation in all aspects of agriculture, leading to advances like large-scale irrigation, fertilization, and the use of pesticides.But these inorganic methods have had serious side effects over time such as pollution of water bodies from washed away fertilizers, decreased nutrient availability and low organic matter content of soil, health problems to animals and humans etc.
Thus it is required to adopt an appropriate approach suitable to our requirements which is not at the expense of ecology, environment and well being of people. Thus the need for organic agriculture. It is also one of the approaches to meet the objective of sustainable agriculture which is the need of the hour.
Organic Regulations [9]
Organic agricultural [10] methods are internationally regulated and legally enforced by many nations, based in large part on the standards set by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements [11] (IFOAM), an international umbrella organization for organic farming organizations established in 1972.IFOAM definition of Organic Farming
Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.Since 1990, the market for organic products has grown from nothing, reaching $55 billion in 2009 according to Organic Monitor (www. organicmonitor.com). This demand has driven a similar increase in organically managed farmland. Approximately 37,000,000 hectares (91,000,000 acres) worldwide are now farmed organically, representing approximately 0.9 percent of total world farmland (2009) (see Willer/ Kilcher 2011).
Indian Scenario: Agmark Certification
Internationally and nationally, standards regulate production methods and in some cases final output for organic agriculture. Standards may be voluntary or legislated. But certification of products/process may be described as what confidence in organic agriculture rests on. An organized system of inspection and certification supported by regulations enables to build a confident consumer community. Thus, Government of India has implemented the National Programme [12] for Organic Production (NPOP).The National Programme for Organic Production proposes to provide an institutional mechanism for the implementation of National Standards for Organic Production, through a National Accreditation Policy and Programme.
The National Programme for Organic Production includes the policies for development and certification of organic products and provides national standards for organic products and processes. The standard for National Programme for Organic Production provides information on standards for organic production, systems criteria & procedures for accreditation of certifying bodies, the national organic logo and the regulations governing its use.
India has been exporting certified organic foods for some years now and the demand is gradually on the rise with respect to domestic markets too. Keeping in view the growing demand and to check fraudulence in organic production, the Ministry of Agriculture, GOI launched the notification “Organic Agricultural Produce Grading and Marking Rules, 2009” in 2009. Thus organic agricultural produce may now be graded and certified under AGMARK [13].
AGMARK is the accreditation body and the Agricultural Marketing Adviser issues the certificate of authorisation to certification agencies authorising them to certify organic farms, products and process, to grade and mark organic agricultural produce. Any accredited inspection and certification agency under the NPOP is eligible for the grant of certificate of authorization under these rules by applying with complete documentation as prescribed in the guidelines. These authorized inspection and certification agencies in turn certify the agricultural produce of operators/grower groups as organic.
Grade Designation
The grade designation for such certified agricultural produce will be “Agmark India Organic." The grade designation mark consists of Agmark India Organic Insignia which is a design incorporating the name of the commodity, certificate of authorization number and the grade designation. The mark may be affixed to products, or used on packaging or promotional material or in context of advertising activities.
The decision of Ministry of Agriculture enables farmers, farmer groups and processing units use Agmark Organic Certification [14] for their products. This ensures organic produce that are sold in the domestic market to comply with India's organic agriculture regulation - NPOP as well as grading and marking rules under Grading and Marking Act 1937.
Market Potential (INDIA)
With the change in dietary need and enhanced income coupled with awareness for health there is a growing appreciation for organic products. Many of the hotels consume green food grown under the contracts. Organically labeled fruits and vegetables are also appearing on some of markets. Since India has a large area, which have used minimal pesticides and chemical where potential for conversion exist, organic movement has taken a root in many of the states and there is growing demand especially in cities and market is expected to grow more than 20 percent annually. It is envisaged that 20 percent of production shall be organic in 5 years.
Organic farming provides long- term benefits to people and the environment. Awareness and education in Western countries has brought about an unprecedented demand for organic foods. There is a need in India for public information and education to encourage more appreciation for organic foods and certification will support and enhance the consumer confidence.
Food Safety and Standard Authority India has introduced the new category of food as ‘Organic Food’ as per section 22 and thus in coming days the organic food will have huge potential.
