When my neighbour Ramesh first mentioned getting organic certification for his mango orchard, I saw the fear in his eyes. “Too much paperwork,” he said. “Too many inspectors. I’m just a farmer.”
A year later, I watched him proudly stick the India Organic logo on his boxes of Alfonso mangoes. He’d secured a contract with an exporter to Dubai at three times his usual price. “The paperwork was nothing compared to the payoff,” he told me.
The truth is, the path to organic certification isn’t a maze designed to confuse you. It’s a clear, step-by-step process that, once understood, becomes your passport to higher profits and market access. This guide will demystify the journey for APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) organic certification.
Why Bother? The Tangible Benefits of Being “Certified Organic”
Before we dive into the “how,” remember the “why.” Certification is your proof of authenticity. It allows you to:
- Command Premium Prices: Sell your produce for 20-100% more than conventional equivalents.
- Access New Markets: Export to strict markets like the EU and UAE, and supply premium domestic retail chains.
- Build Consumer Trust: The logo on your pack is a promise of quality and safety that urban consumers actively seek.
- Get Government Support: Avail subsidies and support under schemes like PKVY (Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana).
The Step-by-Step Roadmap to Your Organic Certificate
Think of the process in three clear phases: Preparation, Implementation, and Certification.
Phase 1: The Preparation & Planning Phase (Months 1-3)
This is the most critical phase. Good preparation sets you up for success.
Step 1: Choose Your Certification Path
You have two main options for farm-level certification:
- PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System):
- Best for: Small farmers selling primarily in the domestic market.
- How it works: It’s a locally focused quality assurance system built on peer reviews. Farmers form groups and certify each other’s practices based on PGS standards. It’s more affordable and less paperwork-intensive than third-party certification.
- How to start: Contact your local State Agricultural Department or a nearby FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation) that is already part of a PGS group.
- Third-Party Certification (NPOP – National Programme for Organic Production):
- Best for: Farmers targeting export markets or large domestic buyers who require the internationally recognised India Organic logo.
- How it works: An independent, APEDA-accredited certification body (like OneCert, Ecocert, Indocert) inspects and certifies your farm.
- How to start: Identify an accredited certification body (CB) from the APEDA website.
Step 2: Form a Group (The Smartest First Move)
Going it alone is hard. The most practical approach is to join or form a group with other farmers in your area—often through an FPO. This is called cluster certification.
- Why it’s better: It dramatically reduces the cost per farmer for inspection and certification. It also creates a support system for sharing knowledge and resources.
Step 3: Understand the Standards & Create Your Organic Management Plan
You need to commit to the core rules of organic farming. Your plan should outline how you will:
- Manage Soil Fertility: Through compost, green manure, cow dung, etc.
- Control Pests & Weeds: Using biological methods (neem, garlic-chilli solution), traps, and manual weeding.
- Maintain Buffer Zones: Ensure a buffer between your organic farm and any neighbouring conventional farms to prevent contamination.
Phase 2: The Implementation & Transition Phase (Months 4-36)
This is the “doing” phase. You start following the organic plan.
Step 4: Begin the Mandatory Transition Period
This is the test of your patience. From the day you stop using all prohibited chemicals and start following organic practices, a minimum 36-month transition period begins before you can be certified.
- During this time, your produce is sold as “conventional,” but you are incurring the costs of organic farming. This is where belief in the long-term payoff is essential.
Step 5: Meticulous Record-Keeping (Your Most Important Tool)
This is the part that intimidates farmers the most, but it’s simple if done consistently. You must maintain a detailed diary. This is your proof for the inspector.
- What to record:
- Input Records: Every single thing added to your farm. Source and quantity of compost, seeds, natural pesticides, etc.
- Activity Records: A daily journal of activities—planting, weeding, harvesting, pruning.
- Output Records: Quantity of produce harvested and sold.
- Map: A simple map of your farm showing plots and buffer zones.
Phase 3: The Certification & Inspection Phase (Month 37+)
After the transition period, you are ready for the final step.
Step 6: Submit Your Application & Records
Contact your chosen Certification Body (for NPOP) or PGS group. Fill out the application form and submit it along with your organic management plan and all your records from the transition period.
Step 7: The On-Farm Inspection
An inspector from the certifying body will visit your farm. Don’t be nervous! They are not there to fail you; they are there to verify your hard work.
- They will: Cross-check your records, inspect your fields, take soil and water samples for residue testing, and interview you about your practices.
Step 8: Receive Your Certificate!
If your farm and records comply with the standards, the certification body will issue your organic certificate, which is valid for a specific period (usually one year, with an annual renewal inspection).
A Note on FSSAI’s Jaivik Bharat Logo
For selling within India, the FSSAI Jaivik Bharat logo is also important. If you are PGS or NPOP certified, you are automatically eligible to use this logo. It provides a unified, recognisable symbol for Indian consumers to identify organic food.
Final Word of Encouragement
The journey to organic certification is a marathon, not a sprint. It demands discipline, patience, and a commitment to keeping records. But remember, you are not just growing a crop; you are building a brand and investing in the long-term health of your soil and your income.
Take that first step. Talk to your neighbouring farmers. Contact your local agriculture office or an FPO. The paperwork is a small price to pay for the pride and profit that comes with being able to say, with certified proof, “This is truly organic.”