Aurangabad, Maharashtra -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/25/2012 -- Aurangabad, Organized organic agriculture movement, started way back in early 90s in India is well established now. Be it inspired by the Individual organic agricultural reformers spread across the country or the national, international NGOs, or some religious groups who are promoting non-violent organic farming and consumption of chemical free food among devotees, organic farming is something which is known to every Indian farmer. In almost every village one can find organic farmers practicing organic agriculture with devotion, largely in small groups with mutual support of similar peers of who share same ideals.

“It is for these unsung heroes Ecocert thought of launching a certification program; mainly to facilitate their access to soaring domestic organic market in India.”, said Dr Selvam Daniel, Managing Director of Ecocert India. “Usually what we get to see is that these self motivated organic farmers are totally disconnected from the organized organic market in the country. They practice organic out of sheer passion for organic and natural farming remaining isolated from the mainstream. But eventually end up selling their ‘safe’ produce in the local markets or within their health-conscious friends’ circle in low prices. On the other end we get to see the millions of health conscious consumers craving desperately for the authentic organic produce and with no or limited access to that.”

“Where organic food is available in big super markets, it is so highly expensive that consumer prefers continuing to buy the hazardous conventional produce than to buy organic products. Again many a times the most essential claims of independent certification are missing from organic products. Facilitating this bringing together of the right producer and right consumer is a real challenge the organic movement in India at the moment is facing,” says Dr Daniel

“The new scheme is meant for certifying small groups of 25-30 organic farmers in a given village or village development council. Any farmer whose land is less than 4 ha or 10 acres is considered as small farmer and can be a member of the group. Hence ideally around 250 acres of organic land could be brought under third party certification along with a small processing unit for single ingredient product viz. jaggery, ghee, rice, pulses, turmeric or chili powder etc. The certification cost for such groups is Rs 1400 per farmer annually. The costs involved are thus very affordable for getting certified the processed organic products at farm level. “, said Dr Amol Nirban, Business Development Manager of Ecocert India.

But still the question of linking these small groups to trustworthy domestic markets remains an important issue to be addressed.

Communication Strategist of Ecocert India Mr Rahul Motiyele says, “Ecocert India’s representatives are now present in every major part of the country. There they locally participate in every important trade expos, farmer markets, organize retailers’ or agri-entrepreneurs’ conventions. These platforms generate good amount of inquiries from the traders’ side. Few of them could be interested in starting their own retail shops or chains, home delivery program of both raw food and lunch boxes and their own restaurants. While many of the traders are interested in B2C transactions, few are interested in acting as vendors supplying organic produce in bulk to other enterprises and also some organizations viz. old age homes, hospitals, college or school cafeterias etc. Many of these aspiring organic entrepreneurs have no idea from where they could source authentic organic produce. It is at this point Ecocert’s new scheme can make the difference we feel.” Says Motiyele.

These interested organic traders could be encouraged by local Ecocert representatives to directly link with the organic farmers’ small groups for sourcing the required commodities. E.g. a retailer in NOIDA can actually identify a suitable organic farmers’ group or groups in the nearby region with the help of local Ecocert representative and directly share with them the annual cropping calendar of his/her choice with them. It is easier for a retailer from the logistic point of view since such farmers are located in the radius of 5-10 km only and they can provide the organic products of desirable choice in desirable quantities.

“The traders are not required to bear the costs of certification if they don’t wish to, since they are so moderate that even farmers themselves can bear. My frequent discussions with small groups of organic farmers in need of a right buyer have revealed this fact.” says Mr Vijay Deshwal, Ecocert representative for Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. “A mere guarantee of an assured recognized organic market is enough for an enthusiastic organic farmers’ group. Application for their group’s certification is the most obvious step by farmers in such situation.”

“Certification of Organized Grower Groups (OGG) is not a new concept. But we have launched this program for small groups. Small groups always prove to be more efficient when it comes to complying with organic standards thanks to the sheer size of the group which makes mutual interactions, knowledge gain, and peer pressure, peer appraisal etc possible. There is no need to hire an Internal Control System which is comprised of paid workers, from outside. Farmers’ representatives in such a small group can delegate among themselves these responsibilities of internal inspection, field extension officer, purchase officer, input distribution in charge and convener for certification etc. The harmonious atmosphere in the close knit group enables better internal control and smooth functioning.” says Dr Daniel.

“Ecocert has developed working guidelines for effective functioning of these groups. These guidelines conform to National Program of Organic Production. The official advertisement for this scheme is done weekly in Maharashtra through a famous agricultural daily Agrowon. We will repeat the same experiment in other parts of the country, “says Nirban.

“Small groups’ certification, small and direct supply chains and very small burden on the budget of organic farmers as well as the consumers is what characterizes this program! The program will alleviate soon the hurdles in domestic organic market development in India!” opines Nirban