Government Plans Certification System for Natural Farming

Government Plans Certification System for Natural Farming

Why in the News ?

The Indian government plans to introduce a certification system for natural farming, which will help boost consumer trust and farmer income. This move will benefit 1.8 million farmers practicing natural farming across the country.

Government Plans Certification System for Natural Farming

Introduction of Certification System:

  • The government aims to introduce the Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS) to enhance trust in natural farming.
  • The system will be voluntary and non-binding for producers.

  • NFCS is designed to help farmers secure premium prices for their fertilizer-free products, improving incomes.

Key Features of Natural Farming

  • Unlike organic farming, which uses inputs like compost and manure, natural farming avoids all external inputs.
  • It relies on natural ecological processes to cultivate crops.
  • The certification will be under the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India), with separate standards for natural farming.

Growth and Impact of Natural Farming

  • Natural farming is gaining traction in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and several other states.
  • State governments and farmer-led movements are supporting the practice.

  • NFCS will improve market access, ensure fair pricing, and give consumers confidence in the safety and quality of natural products.

About Organic Farming:

●     A farming method that uses natural inputs like compost and manure, avoiding synthetic chemicals.

●     While organic farming emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices, it still utilizes organic fertilizers.

●     Certification ensures products are grown without synthetic chemicals but differs from natural farming in its use of organic inputs.

Key points :NFCS (Natural Farming Certification System):

●     A proposed system for certifying natural farming practices across India. It will help farmers access premium markets and ensure quality and safety.

●     This voluntary certification will be tailored under the PGS-India system, benefiting 1.8 million farmers practicing natural farming across the nation.

PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System):

 

●     A certification system used to validate organic farming practices. It will be adapted to suit natural farming, with separate standards.

●     The PGS-India system emphasizes participatory and community-based certification rather than third-party verification, ensuring transparency and farmer involvement in the process.