India to Introduce Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS)

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.