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Back to the basics
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Farmers who switch over to organic farming must obtain a certification for marketing their products.
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WHEN CHANGES take place, they transport us to a whole new world. Sometimes, they also bring us back to from where we once started.
The "Organic Agri Fair 2003", which concluded in the city a few days ago, was all about rediscovering the past.
But, organic farming is a concept that cannot be implemented in isolation. Take, for instance, the organic tea served to visitors at the fair.
It's just not enough if the leaves come from plantations that operate the `organic' way. Organic sugar, a key ingredient for your cuppa, is also needed to make it a completely environment-friendly product.
For farmers, it was all about going back to the basics. Some discovered that there was more to the fair than just switching over to organic farming.
They learnt that to market organic farm produce, they needed certification from the agency concerned. The procedures to be followed for this were explained in detail.
The Agricultural Processed Foods Export Development Agency (APEDA) is the body that provides accreditation to certifying agencies.
These agencies inspect lands where organic farming is being carried out and a certificate is given only after the fulfilment of parameters like compliance to hygiene standards, implementation of quality assurance system like ISO 9000 and residue testing of pesticides and contaminants.
APEDA Chairman S Dave had come down to the fair.
Certification is also needed for exports.
In fact, until recently, organic farm products were certified only by Western agencies.
"Farmers who wish to get their products certified have to register with the authority concerned.
" They need to renew their certification once in three years.
" If they fail to do so, they will not be able to market the products," says K K Krishnamurthi, President of the Indian Society for Certifying Organic Products (ISCOP).
M. ALLIRAJAN
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