19th July 2024 Bangalore, Karnataka, India ICCOA-(International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture) was among the sector experts/Agriculture Economists invited to meet Finance Minister Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi in the pre-budget consultation process. ICCOA was asked to discuss and suggest solutions to the challenges the Organic Industry is facing and to strengthen the Organic/Natural farming Policy.
Manoj Menon, Executive Director/CEO of ICCOA expressed that, “It’s a very innovative and sensible exercise from madam finance minister to hold talks with various sector experts and take their studied views before budget is prepared for the country. ICCOA feels privileged to be recognized as the organization to be part of this exercise and to add value by representing the organic and natural farming sector.”
Film on ICCOA
Organic farming has a positive impact on biodiversity, and soils and thus it provides increased resilience for our farmers and healthy, safe foods to the consumers. India s journey into the “Certified Organic” world started in 2001, and moved on to set its own standards and accreditation. India launched the National Program – NPOP to become one of the first countries to have its own National Systems. Further, it received recognition from USA -USDA’s NOP and from the European Union in 2006. But In 2021, India started to face its biggest setbacks with the US terminating the conformity assessment recognition; and EU suspending many of Indian certifying agencies.
Keeping these in view, ICCOA strongly advocated following recommendations to establish a better-governed system (Board) to integrate and regulate functions professionally.
Recommendations:
1. Organic farmers to get Rs. 15000 per ha per year
Govt is spending Rs. 1,60,000 crores per year on fertilizer subsidies, which is equivalent to Rs. 13800-14000 per ha per year. This use of fertilizer spoils land, water and food quality; and also depletes forex. Organic farmers can be paid an equal amount for avoiding chemicals and saving the nation’s costs.
2. National Organic Board (NAB)
An exclusive body for Organic farming promotions, and development, with divisions for Accreditation and Certification for both the systems (PGS program and for third-party CBs).
3. National Organic Agriculture Research Institute (NOARI) with 5-6 Regional Stations
An institute especially for research on Organic farming practices, Organic seeds, on-farm and off-farm inputs, education (diploma/degree/PG), develop improved seeds/varieties suitable for Organic Farming for higher productivity and farmer’s income. Research is a major driving force and a Central/national institute is needed.
4. National-level Organic food & farming promotional campaign(s)
A campaign for a minimum of 02 years to increase awareness of safe, chemical-free Organic food and farming (akin the NECC’s eggs promotion campaign). This can be a PPP Program, with the government creating an initial corpus, and private players joining to expand the program.
5. Carbon credits
India needs a Policy framework for measurement for Carbon Credits and payments for Organic Farming. Organic farms sequester carbon much better and higher than Conventional/Chemical farming (SOC improvements).
6. A special program
Starting with a pilot to pay Farmers for ecology services, for soil health/fertility Improvement. (E.g. Soil Organic Carbon improvement of every 0.1 improvement, farmer Entitles for Rs. 6000 per ha).