Organic certification

Organic farming can be defined as a system of farm design and

management to create an ecosystem, which can achieve sustainable
productivity without the use of chemosynthetic fertilizers, pesticides and
pharmaceuticals. By respecting the natural capacity of plants, animals and
landscape it aims to optimise quality in all aspects of agriculture and the
environment.

Under Organic Certification 02 services are available:

1. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)
2. Participatory Guarantee System of India (PGS-India)

1. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP):

The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) proposes to

provide an institutional mechanism for the implementation of National
Standards for Organic Production (NSOP), through a National Accreditation
Policy and Programme. The aims of the National Programme for organic
production, inter alia, include the following: (a) To provide the means of
evaluation of certification programmes for organic agriculture and products as
per the approved criteria. (b) To accredit certification programmes (c) To
facilitate certification of organic products in conformity to the National
Standards for Organic Products. (d) To encourage the development of organic
farming and organic processing.

KSOCA has got Accreditation for inspection and certification of organic

products (Accreditation Number- NPOP/NAB/0030) Scope of Accreditation for
crop production dated 16th august 2018 by National Accreditation Body under
NPOP and certified by Evaluation Committee under the National Programme
For Organic Production (NPOP) of the Government of India.

Certification Details

Application Procedure/Procedure for review of application

All the operators who intend to get their farms/ units organically certified
have to initially apply to KSOCA by submitting the completed form (Application
for farms has to be submitted physically to the respective divisions of KSOCA).
Any change in the inspection and certification procedure shall be intimated to
the clients timely and sufficient time period for implementation will be given
based on the nature of change.

For renewing the application, which must be done annually, the operator must
make use of the renewal application form.
A thorough review of the submitted application shall be made by the inspector,
checking:
 The required inspection falls within the scope of organic inspection and
certification
 All relevant details on application form have been completed
 Appropriate details and documents have been sent in e.g. map for
producers, product specification sheets for processors, etc.
 Ensure full application fee submission as per KSOCA requirements.
Referred Documents:
 Application for farms
 Procedure for certification

Renewal application for crop production Information to the Applicant

Each operator showing interest in being certified by KSOCA shall receive the
Information and application package consisting of the documents listed below:
Referred Documents:
 Application form
 Procedure for certification
 Frequently asked questions
 Scale of fees

Contractual Bond
The operator pays the prescribed fees and requests KSOCA to conduct
inspections and certifications according to specific standards. Before start of
the inspection, the operator and the KSOCA (Quality Manager) signs an
inspection and certification contract. The contracts are filed in the respective
operator file.
Referred Documents:
 Inspection and Certification contract
ORGANIC MANAGEMENT PLAN
The operator has to give the details of the farm activities that have been
followed in the organic farming.
Referred Documents:
 System Plan

Assignment of Inspectors
After the contract is signed, the quality manager assigns an inspector for
inspection after verifying his conflict of interest.
Intimation of inspection
Inspector will intimate the operator 15 days prior to the inspection date
so that operator is ready for the inspection with all the documents.
Non-compliance
During the time of inspection, if the inspector finds any non-compliance
with respect to NPOP standards for organic farming production system of the
farm, the operator is supposed to make necessary correction in the farming
system in the given time.
After the non-compliance is met the certification decision committee will
recommend for issuance of scope certificate.
Validity of the scope certificate will be for 12 months from the date of
inspection.
Links for NPOP standards

https://apeda.gov.in/apedawebsite/organic/organic_contents/national_progra
mme_for_organic_production.htm

Link for TraceNet

https://traceability.apeda.gov.in/organic/tracenet/ACCESSTRACENET/Login.
aspx?RequestID=04504855

link to APEDA

https://apeda.gov.in/apedawebsite/

 Please click Downloads for all the application forms and fees structure

2. Participatory Guarantee System of India (PGS-India):

Introduction
Participatory Guarantee System of India (PGS-India) is a quality
assurance initiative that is locally relevant, emphasizing the participation of
stakeholders, including producers and consumers and operate outside the
frame of third-party certification. , PGS is a process in which people in
similar situations (in this case producers) assess, inspect and verify the
production practices of each other and collectively declare the entire
holding of the group as organic.It is for small scale farmers and relevant for
local markets

Guiding Principle
PGS India system is based on participatory approach, a shared vision,
transparency and trust. In addition it gives PGS movement a National
recognition and institutional structure.

KSSOCA has got authorization as one of the Regional council (RC Code-
4729) approved by national executive committee (PGS-NEC) Dated 27TH April
2021 for carrying out certification for crop production, large area certification
and processing & handling.

Procedure for application

Individual applicant

Operator who intend to register their farm in PGS has to submit their
application to Regional Council (KSSOCA) through PGS-INDIA web portal and
also submit the Application Form, Syetem Plan/ Farm History Sheet,
Certification Contract and Farmers Pledge to Regional Council (KSSOCA).

As per the PGS-INDIA guidelines, the individual operator has to join nearby
group within the geographical proximity before applying for renewal.
Local group application

 Minimum of 5 farmers belonging to the same village or close by villages with

continuous territory should farm a group and select the Regional Council
(KSSOCA) for endorsement of application, approval of peer appraisal and
issuing the PGS -India Scope certificates under PGS -India standards.

Along with signing the basic applications, farm history sheet, all the
members in the group have to sign the PGS pledge and group agreement to
adhere to the group’s specific vision, participatory approach, and collective
responsibility.

The local group shall prepare necessary field documents with farm history.
Each group shall maintain such documents in a group file comprising of
application form, signed pledge, signed agreement, farm maps showing
locations with GPS coordinates in respect of each member and last one year
history on input usage and management practices. Elect Group leader and
core team of peer reviewers (minimum 3 in 5 members group).

Procedure For Certification

 The local group that is formed need to upload data on PGS website for
obtaining the user ID and password and select the concerned Regional
Council.
 The Regional Council shall review the documents received and endorsement
the application for further generating the Unique Identity number (Local
Group Number) and activate all the farmers.
 In case of Individual farmer, he/she can Request the Peer appraisers of
nearby group to physically inspect the farm and fill peer appraisal form and
same to be submitted to the regional council.
 Peer reviewers will ensure to complete Peer review appraisal form, sign and
submit to the group leader. Each farmer is to be appraised by at least a two-
member team. Inclusion of consumer’s representative increases the
credibility and trust. Upload peer appraisal summary sheet for the entire
group on the PGS-India website along with necessary group decision and
send signed hard copy to Regional Council through post.
 In case of individual farmer, in case if no group is close by then request RC
shall do physical inspection and grant certification.
 The regional Council shall review the peer appraisal details on PGS portal
The peer appraisal data is approved and PGS -India Scope Certificate is
issued with estimated yield by the Regional Council.
 Uploading of actual yields is necessary to obtain Transaction Certificates
(TC) by the local group.

Timeline for local group

 Four group meetings, at least two in each season.

 One training, any time during the year.
 First training within 6 months of registration.
 Peer appraisal to be done during crop growth period starting from 15 days of
sowing till 15 days before harvest.
 Uploading of peer appraisal summary sheet till 7 days before harvest date.
Uploading of actual yields within 60 days of harvest.
 If no TCs are issued and stock remains unsold the PGS-India website will
delete the stock in auto mode after 12 months from the date of harvest.

Related links
 Link to operational guidelines
https://ncof.gov.in/Default/assets/front/PDF/Revised_PGS_India_Guidline
s.pdf

 Link to PGS standard

https://pgsindia-
ncof.gov.in/uploads/operational_manuals/165217729821PGS_India_Stand
ards.pdf

 Link to PGS portal

https://pgsindia-ncof.gov.in

 Please click Downloads for all the application forms and fees structure