Annexure I

Organic Farming - Guidelines

Organic agriculture means a process of developing a viable and sustainable agroecosystem. During the process, certain minimum requirements are to be met. The National Programme for Organic Production has laid out certain guidelines for achieving this which are summarised below :

1.

Conversion
The establishment of an organic management system and building of soil fertility requires an interim period, the conversion period, which is the time between the start of organic management and certification of crops. Plant products produced can be certified organic when the national standards requirements have been met during a conversion period of at least two years before sowing or in the case of perennial crops other than grassland, at least three years (thirty-six months) before the first harvest of products. The accredited inspection and certification agency may decide in certain cases (such as idle use for two years or more) to extend or reduce the conversion period in the light of previous status of the land but the period must equal or exceed twelve months. Conversion may be accomplished over a period of time. The totality of the crop

production and all animal husbandry should be converted to organic management. There should be a clear plan of how to proceed with the conversion. If the whole farm is not converted, the certification programme shall ensure that the organic and conventional parts of the farm are separate and inspectable. Before products from a farm/project can be certified as organic, inspection has to be carried out during the conversion period. Simultaneous production of conventional, organic in conversion To ensure a clear separation between organic and and/or organic crops or animal products which cannot be clearly distinguished from each other, will not be allowed. conventional production, a buffer zone or a natural barrier should be maintained.

2. Maintenance of Diversity
For a sustainable agro-ecosystem to function optimally, diversity in crop production and animal husbandry must be arranged in such a way that there is an interplay of all the elements of the farming management. Diversity in crop production is achieved by a combination of a versatile crop rotation with legumes and an appropriate coverage of the soil during the year of production which diverse plant species. Where appropriate, the
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certification programme shall require that sufficient diversity is obtained in time or place in a manner that takes into account pressure from insects, weeds, diseases and other pests, while maintaining or increasing soil, organic matter, fertility, microbial activity and general soil health. For non perennial crops, this is normally, but not exclusively, achieved by means of crop rotation.

3. Choice of Crops and Varieties

All seeds and plant material should be certified organic. Species and varieties cultivated should be adapted to the soil and climatic conditions and be resistant to pests and diseases. In the choice of varieties, genetic diversity should be taken into consideration. When organic seed and plant materials are available, they shall be used. The certification programme shall set time limits for the requirement of certified organic seed and other plant material. When certified organic seed and plant materials are not available, chemically untreated conventional materials shall be used. The use of genetically engineered seeds, pollen, transgene plants or plant material is not allowed.

4. Manurial Policy
Sufficient quantities of biodegradable material of microbial, plant or animal origin should be returned to the soil to increase or at least maintain its fertility and the biological activity within it. Biodegradable material of microbial, plant or animal origin produced on organic farms should form the basis of the fertilisation programme. pollutants should be prevented. Fertilisation management should minimise nutrient losses. Accumulation of heavy metals and other Non synthetic mineral fertilisers and brought in fertilisers of biological origin should be regarded as supplementary and not a replacement for nutrient recycling. Adequate pH levels should be maintained in the soil. The certification programme shall set limitations to the total amount of biodegradable material of microbial, plant or animal origin brought onto the farm unit, taking into account local conditions and the specific nature of the crops. Manures containing human excreta (faeces and urine) shall not be used. Mineral fertilisers shall only be used in a supplementary role to carbon based materials. Permission for use shall only be given when other fertility management practices have been optimised. Mineral fertilisers shall be applied in their natural composition and shall not be rendered more soluble by chemical treatment. The certification programme may grant exceptions which shall be well justified. These exceptions shall not include mineral
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fertilisers containing nitrogen. The certification programme shall lay down restrictions for the use of inputs such as mineral potassium, magnesium fertilisers, trace elements, manures and fertilisers with a relatively high heavy metal content and/or other unwanted substances, e.g. basic slag, rock phosphate and sewage sludge. Chilean nitrate and all synthetic nitrogenous fertilisers, including urea, are prohibited. Some of the products that are permitted for use in manuring/soil conditioning in organic fields are Farm yard manure, slurry, green manures, crop residues, straw and other mulches from own farm, Sawdust, wood shaving from untreated wood, Calcium chloride, lime stone, gypsum and chalk, Magnesium sulphate, Sodium chloride, Bacterial preparations (bio fertilisers) eg., azospirillun, rhizobium, Bio dynamic preparations, Plant preparation and extracts and Vermi compost. Some of the products shall be used when they are absolutely needed and taking into consideration of factors like contamination, depletion of natural resources, nutritional imbalances, etc. If proposing for certification, the certification agency may be consulted before using these inputs. The products with restricted usage are farm yard manure, slurry, urine, straw, etc. from other farms, Blood meal, bone meal, fish meal without preservatives, Minerals like basic slag, sulphate of potash, etc., Trace elements, Wood ash from untreated woods and Vermi compost from other farms.

5. Pest, disease and weed management

Organic farming systems should be carried out in a way which ensures that losses from pests, diseases and weeds are minimised. Weeds, pests and diseases should be controlled by a number of preventive cultural techniques which limit their development, e.g. suitable rotations, green manures, a balanced fertilising programme, early and predrilling seedbed preparations, mulching, mechanical control and the disturbance of pest development cycles. etc. The natural enemies of pests and diseases should be protected and encouraged through proper habitat management of hedges, nesting sites Pest management should be regulated by understanding and disrupting the ecological needs of the pests. An ecological equilibrium should be created to bring about a balance in the pest predator cycle. Products used for pest, disease and weed management, prepared at the farm from local plants, animals and micro-organisms, are allowed. Thermic weed control and physical methods for pest, disease and weed management are permitted. Thermic sterilisation
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of soils to combat pests and diseases is restricted to circumstances where a proper rotation or renewal of soil cannot take place. All equipments from conventional farming systems shall be properly cleaned and free from residues before being used on organically managed areas. The use of synthetic herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and other pesticides is prohibited. The use of synthetic growth regulators and synthetic dyes are prohibited. The use of genetically engineered organisms or products are prohibited. Accredited certification programmes shall ensure that measures are in place to prevent transmission of pests, parasites and infectious agents. Some of the products that are permitted for control of pests and diseases are Neem oil and other neem preparations like Neem Seed Kernel Extract, Chromatic traps, Mechanical traps, Pheromone traps, Plant based repellents, Soft soap and Clay. The products like Copper salts e.g. Bordeaux Mixture, Plant and animal preparations e.g. Cow urine spray, Garlic extract, Chilly extract, Light mineral oils e.g. Kerosene, parasite predator of insect pest e.g. Trichogramma, Sulphur, Viral, fungal and bacterial preparations (bio pesticides) e.g. NPV, Trichoderma, etc. shall be used when they are absolutely necessary and taking environmental impact into consideration. certification agency shall be consulted before using these inputs. The

6. Soil and water conservation

Soil and water resources should be handled in a sustainable manner. Clearing of land through the means of burning organic matter, e.g. Slash and burn, straw burning shall be restricted to the minimum. The clearing of primary forest is prohibited. Relevant measures shall be taken to prevent erosion. Excessive exploitation and depletion of water resources shall not be allowed. The certification programme shall require appropriate stocking rates which do not lead to land degradation and pollution of ground and surface water. Relevant measures shall be taken to prevent salination of soil and water.

7. Contamination control
All relevant measures should be taken to minimise contamination from outside and from within the farm. In case of risk or reasonable suspicion of risk of pollution, the certification programme should set limits for the maximum application levels of heavy
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metals and other Pollutants. Accumulation of heavy metals and other pollutants should be limited. In case of reasonable suspicion of contamination, the certification programme shall make sure that an analysis of the relevant products to detect the possible sources of pollution (soil and water), shall take place to determine the level of contamination. For protected structure coverings, plastic mulches, fleeces, insect netting and silage rapping, only products based on polyethylene and polypropylene or other polycarbonates are allowed. These shall be removed from the soil after use and shall not be burnt on the farmland. The use of polychloride based products are prohibited.

8. Processing
Processing methods should be based on mechanised, physical and biological processes. The vital quality of an organic ingredient shall be maintained throughout each step of its processing. The following kinds of processes are approved : Mechanical, Physical, Biological, Smoking, Extraction, Precipitation and Filtration. Extraction shall only take place with water, ethanol, plant and animal oils, vinegar, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or carboxylic acids. These shall be of food grade quality, appropriate for the purpose. Irradiation is not allowed. Filtration substances shall not be made of asbestos nor may they be permeated with substances which may negatively affect the product. Processing technologies like solar drying, freeze drying, hot air chambers are permitted. No synthetic additives / dyes are to be added during processing.

9. Labelling
Labelling shall convey clear and accurate information on the organic status of the Product. The person or company legally responsible for the production or processing of the product shall be identifiable. Single ingredient products may be labelled as "produce of organic agriculture" or a similar description when all Standards requirements have been met. Mixed products where not all ingredients, including additives, are of organic origin may be labelled in the following way (raw material weight): Where a minimum of 95% of the ingredients are of certified organic origin, products may be labelled "certified organic" or similar and should carry the logo of the certification programme. Where less than 95% but not less than 70% of the ingredients are of certified organic origin, products may not be called "organic". The word "organic" may be used on the principal display in statements like "made with organic ingredients" provided there is a clear statement of the proportion of the organic ingredients. An

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indication that the product is covered by the certification programme may be used, close to the indication of proportion of organic ingredients. Where less than 70% of the ingredients are of certified organic origin, the indication that an ingredient is organic may appear in the ingredients list. Such product may not be called "organic". The label for in-conversion products shall be clearly distinguishable from the label for organic products.

10. Packaging
Ecologically sound materials should be used for the packaging of organic products. Packaging materials that affect the organic nature of the contents should be avoided. Use of PVC materials is prohibited. Laminates and aluminum should be avoided. Biodegradable Recycling and reusable systems shall be used wherever possible.

packaging materials shall be used. The materials used must not affect the organoleptic character of the product or transmit to it any substances in quantities that may be harmful to human health.

11. Organic Certification

Certification of organic farms is required to satisfy the consumers that the produce is totally organic. Organic certification is based on continuance. basis. The certification programme should only certify production which is likely to be maintained on a long-term Converted land and animals shall not get switched back and forth between organic and conventional management. The Certification agency conducts inspection to ensure that the minimum requirements prescribed for organic agriculture is fully met and based on that issues the certificate. The producer makes contact with certifying agency. Certification agency provides information on standards, fees, application, inspection, certification and appeal procedures. The producer then submits application along with field history, farm map, record keeping system etc. Then the contract indicating scope, obligation, inspection and certification, sanction and appeals, duration, fee structure is executed. Then the Inspector of agency comes and carries out inspection. The Inspector gives inspection report with his recommendation to the agency. Then the agency issues approval or denial of certificate. Certificate is given for current year's harvest only and hence annual certification is required.

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11.1 Process of certification

11.1.1 Certification of Large holder (4ha. and >4ha.) : Inspection of individual farmer is directly conducted by certification agency in each crop cycle. After evaluation, if production process is found in compliance with organic standards, certificate is issued in the name of the individual farmer. certification agency. Individual farmers pay certification cost to the

11.1.2 Certification of Small holder (< 4ha.) : Majority of the agriculture practitioners world wide are smallholders. They are often located in remote areas envisaging long travel from one place to another. The overall revenue from their agricultural production is usually far too small to cover the cost of farm inspection by external inspection body for each farmer. For these reasons a technique that is called Internal Control Systems (ICS) is developed for certification of small holder in the form of Group certification on low cost.

11.2 Internal Control Systems (ICS) for Group Certification

An Internal Control System (ICS) is a documented quality assurance system that allows the external certification body to delegate the annual inspection of individual group members to an identified body/unit with the certified operator. This means that the third party certification bodies only have to inspect the well-functioning of the system, as well as perform a few spot-checks, re-inspections of individual smallholders. However, for Smallholder Group Certification there should be homogenity of members in terms of location, production system, size of holding, etc. In principle, only small farmers (<4 ha.) are eligible for group certification, however large farmers (4 ha. and >4 ha.) can belong to the group but must always be inspected externally each year and the total area of such farmers must be less than 50% of the total area of the group.

11.3 Steps of Group Certification

i. Formation of Group ii. Documentation of farm activities iii. Conduct Internal Inspection and Submit Inspection Report to ICS Coordinator iv. Evaluation of Internal Inspection Report by ICS Coordinator. v. Approval of ICS findings from Approval Committee. vi. Invitation to external inspection agency for external inspection.

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11.4 External Inspection

During the external inspection by the organic certifier, the effectiveness of the internal control system is evaluated. The external inspector re-inspects a certain number of farmers. The percentage of external control will be determined by the certifier on the basis of risk assessment. The external inspector compares his/her observations with the documents of the internal inspection and evaluates whether the internal inspections fulfill the external regulations and if they are satisfactory then the organic certification is provided. Source : NPOP

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