In an effort to promote organic farming practices, the Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority (Apeda) is planning to introduce group certification for the benefit of small farmers.

The proposed move, which is likely to be implemented from May 2005, is being initiated to involve more number of small farmers for adoption of organic farming practices to get premium price for their produce.

Disclosing this to FE, Dr PVSM Gouri, advisor, Apeda, ministry of commerce, government of India said that presently only big and individual progressive farmers are going for organic cultivation methods. Henceforth, group certification would provide a chance even for small farmers to take up organic cultivation as well, she said.

On the cost factor for the certification, the ministry of agriculture is also looking at bearing 50% of certification cost which usually costs, on an average Rs 1 lakh, depending on the area and the certification process is being done every year right from the farm level to final produce.

‘‘Certification is a marketing tool for exports and it becomes vital to motivate farmers with a set of new standards for getting the India Organic brand logo for their produce,’’ she said. However, organic farm and product inspection agencies are still not on par with their counterparts of international agencies. Hence, Apeda has proposed to give training to inspection agencies, she added.

It may be mentioned that Apeda has brought out the National Programme for Organic Production and has brought in various components. They include: national standards for production, processing, labelling, storage and transport of organic products; accreditation of certification and inspection programmes; and development of organic logo called India Organic.

Further, Apeda has also brought out organic manuals like the guidelines for production of organic products like rice, sugar, pineapple and passion fruits.The status of organic production and trade in India is: total production is estimated at about 1,19,656 tonne with 16,57,000 seedlings and cutting and 2,64,000 litres of effective microorganisms. The total quantity exported is about 6,792 tonne worth about Rs 7,123 lakhs.