organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides with

an environmentally and socially responsible approach. This is a method of farming that works at grass root level preserving the reproductive and regenerative capacity of the soil, good plant nutrition, and sound soil management, produces nutritious food rich in vitality which has resistance to diseases. India is bestowed with lot of potential to produce all varieties of organic products due to its various agro climatic regions. In several parts of the country, the inherited tradition of organic farming is an added advantage. This holds promise for the organic producers to tap the market which is growing steadily in the domestic market related to the export market. Currently, India ranks 10th among the top ten countries in terms of cultivable land under organic certification. The certified area includes 10% cultivable area with 0.50 million Hectare and rest 90% (4.71 million Hectare) is forest and wild area for collection of minor forest produces. The total area under organic certification is 5.21 million Hectare (2012-13). The Government of India has implemented the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). The national programme involves the accreditation programme for Certification Bodies, standards for organic production, promotion of organic farming etc. The NPOP standards for production and accreditation system have been recognized by European Commission and Switzerland as equivalent to their country standards. Similarly, USDA has recognized NPOP conformity assessment procedures of accreditation as equivalent to that of US. With these recognitions, Indian organic products duly certified by the accredited certification bodies of India are accepted by the importing countries. PRODUCTION India produced around 1.34 million MT of certified organic products which includes all varieties of food products namely Sugarcane, Cotton, Basmati rice, Pulses, Tea, Spices, Coffee, Oil Seeds, Fruits and their value added products. The production is not limited to the edible sector but also produces organic cotton fiber, functional food products etc. Among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has covered largest area under organic certification followed by Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. EXPORTS India exported 135 products last year (2012-13) with the total volume of 165262 MT including 4985 MT organic textiles. The organic agri export realization was around 374 million US $ including 160 US $ organic textiles registering a 4.38% growth over the previous year. Organic products are exported to EU, US, Switzerland, Canada, South East Asian countries and South Africa. Oil seeds - Soybean (41%) lead among the products exported followed by Cane Sugar (26%), Processed food products (14%), Basmati Rice (5%), Other cereals & millets (4%), Tea (2%), Spices (1%), Dry fruits (1%) and others.

In India, APEDA regulates the certification of organic products as per National Standards for Organic Production. "The NPOP standards for production and accreditation system have been recognized by European Commission and Switzerland as equivalent to their country standards. Similarly, USDA has recognized NPOP conformity assessment procedures of accreditation as equivalent to that of US. With these recognitions, Indian organic products duly certified by the accredited certification bodies of [19] India are accepted by the importing countries." Organic food products manufactured and exported [20] from India are marked with the India Organic certification mark issued by the APEDA. APEDA has recognized 11 inspection certification bodies, some of which are branches of foreign certification bodies, others are local certification bodies.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) came into existence in 1986 to further develop our agricultural commodities and processed foods, and to promote their exports. Its goals are to maximize foreign exchange earning through increased agro exports, to provide better

income to the farmers through higher unit value realization and to create employment opportunities in rural areas by encouraging value added exports of farm produce. APEDA went about support systems to our exporters and manufacturers, and introducts to the international market.

Assistance schemes of APEDA APEDA offers financial assistance under various schemes which seek to promote and develop agri-exports. Financial assistance under these schemes is available to exporters, growers, trade associations, governmental agencies etc. Some of the activities which are eligible for financial assistance are : Export promotion and market development through supply of samples to potential importers, brand publicity etc. Strengthening of market intelligence and data based through studies, surveys etc. Quality up gradation. Development of infrastructural facilities. Research and Development. Development of packaging quality. Manpower development. Up gradation of meant processing facilities. APEDAS products under review 1. Fruits, Vegetables and their Products. 2. Meat and Meat Products. 3. Poultry and Foul try Products. 4. Diary Products. 5. Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery Products. 6. Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products. 7. Cocoa Products 8. Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages. 9. Cereal Products. 10. Groundnut, Peanuts and Walnuts.11. Pickles, Papads and Chutneys. 12. Guar Gum. 13. Horticulture & Floriculture Products. 14. Herbal & Medicinal Plants. 15. Rice (Non-basmati).