Overview of the Proposal
- The Indian government is planning to introduce a Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS) to boost consumer trust and farmer income.
- This initiative will benefit the 1.8 million farmers practicing natural farming across 780,000 hectares of land.
- The certification aims to provide premium pricing for chemical and synthetic fertilizer-free products, improving farmers’ incomes.
Key Features of the NFCS
- Voluntary Participation: The system will be non-binding, meaning farmers can choose whether to participate.
- Increased Market Access: Certified natural farming products will likely be able to command higher prices, similar to organic farming.
- Distinct from Organic Farming: Unlike organic farming that uses natural inputs like compost and manure, natural farming avoids all external inputs, relying solely on natural ecological processes.
Targeted Regions and Support for Farmers
- Key States: Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Mizoram, Telangana, and Kerala have been identified as major areas where natural farming is gaining traction.
- Farmer-Led Movements: Various farmer-led movements and state governments are supporting the adoption of natural farming in these regions.
Certification Process and Benefits
- Certification Agencies: State and union territory boards responsible for organic farming may also oversee natural farming certification.
- The NFCS will operate under the existing Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India), which already certifies organic products, with separate standards for natural farming.
- Benefits for Farmers: The certification will help farmers gain access to better markets and secure fair pricing for their products.
- Consumer Confidence: It will also enhance consumer confidence in the quality and safety of natural farming products.
Impact on Natural Farming
- The introduction of NFCS is expected to bring about greater accountability in natural farming practices.
- It is likely to influence policy changes, attract government support, and raise consumer awareness of natural farming products.
