| Organic Certification
Organic Agriculture and Food Certification
Green Foundation is always committed to furthering the social causes in the field of agriculture, health, education and other innovative involvements that had a citizen-centric inclusivity.The Foundation has been a service provider of organic farming since 2006. Under the National Project on Organic Farming under the National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF), Ministry of Agriculture (DAC), Government of India, Ghaziabad we had facilitated Organic Certification of 533 ha of land involving 1500 farmers during 2006 – 09.
We undertake certification process under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) of India, the National Organic Program (NOP) of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and EU-Eco-regulation 1992.
Further, depending on the requirement of the farmers and buyers we facilitate certification under the Participatory Organic Guarantee System (PGS-India). The National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF), Ministry of Agriculture (DAC), Government of India, Ghaziabad had granted the Foundation a status of Facilitating Agency for implementation of PGS-India. (Vide letter no. 10-3/2010-NCOF/PGS dated 8th May 2012).
Purpose of certification
Being able to put the word “organic” on a food product is a valuable marketing advantage in today’s consumer market. However, we undertake organic certification not only for market purpose but also for the very philosophy of organic farming. We strive to assure quality and protect consumers from misuse of the term, and make buying organics easy.
The certification process
We facilitate the farmer to choose a system for certification ether i) Third Party Certification SystemofAgricultural and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA) under Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of Indiaor ii) Participatory Organic Guarantee System (PGS)of National Centre on Organic Farming (NCOF), Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India, or iii) or iii)VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION SCHEMEFOR MEDICINAL PLANT PRODUCE of National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) of the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India (in collaboration with the Quality Council of India).
In order to certify a farm, we render various services to the farmers in addition to normal farming operations:
Study the organic standards of the chosen certification systemincluding storage, transport and sale.
Compliance – farm facilities and production methods to comply with the organic standards including modifying facilities, sourcing and changing, suppliers, etc.
Documentation – detailing farm history and current set-up, and usually including results of soil and water tests.
Planning – a written annual production plan, detailing everything from seed to sale: seed sources, field and crop locations, fertilization and pest control activities, harvest methods, storage locations, etc.
Inspection – on-farm inspections with a physical tour, examination of records, and an oral interview.
Fee – A nominal fee is imposed to the grower to be paid to the certification body and to cover administrative cost for annual surveillance and for facilitating a mark which is acceptable in the market as symbol of quality.
Record-keeping – written, day-to-day farming and marketing records, covering all activities to make available for inspection at any time.
Certification & Product Labelling
Packing materials are so chosen that it should not affect the organoleptic character of the product. Products made entirely with certified organic ingredients and methods are labelled “100% organic” and products with 95% organic ingredients use the word “organic”. Both display organic seal/logo.
Organic Certification at Zero Cost
Our new initiative in the domain of organic Certification, in the sphere of Organic farming in North East India is Participatory Organic Guarantee System (PGS-India). The National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF), Ministry of Agriculture (DAC), Government of India, Ghaziabad had granted the Foundation a status of Facilitating Agency for implementation of PGS-India. (Vide letter no. 10-3/2010-NCOF/PGS dated 8th May 2012). The Foundation is the first and only Facilitating Agency of the Participatory Organic Guarantee System (PGS-India) in the State under the Regional Centre of Organic Farming, Government of India, Imphal. We have been delivering various services to the Farmers for organic certification at zero cost through the PGS-India.