OneCert, Inc. was founded in 2003 by Sam Welsch to provide certification to the US NOP, EU, JAS, and the GOTS and TE textile programs. The company is known for its dedication to the integrity of the organic label. In an exclusive interview with Sandeep Bhargava, CEO, OneCert International, Jaipur, speaks about the organic certification scenario in India
What are the challenges of organic certification in India vis a vis other countries?
In India organic certification is mainly done for small landholder farmers (Grower Group Certification), who are growing multiple crops as India is a major raw material supplier country. Certifying small farmers is the most difficult. When the Internal control system is managed by an external agency, that is, by someone other than farmers, it becomes very difficult for certification. In other countries, certification is mostly done by small individual land holders, who are doing their own processing and value addition. In case of GG certification, value addition to crop is done before exports.
What role can the government play in easing the transition to organic for farmers? What changes, if any, are required in the NPOP?
NPOP is one of the best standards. There is no need to ease transition to Organic. If any transition is required, then Govt needs to identify areas where pesticides are not used and make documentation of the same to facilitate the certification. NPOP already has provisions for reduction in conversion.
How can India increase its organic market share?
We can increase our organic produce by promoting organic farming among farmers and supporting processors and exporters as well as promoting value added products.
Sikkim is India’s first fully organic sate. How long before other states can emulate this?
Sikkim was a small state with small land holdings for farming. All stakeholders in Sikkim had the willingness to adopt organic farming. It takes a long time to convert a whole state into organic as there is no thumb rule and roadmap for conversion. We also need to look into food security.
What are the steps to a farm’s successful Organic Certification by OneCert?
- Step One: Complete an organic system plan (OSP). OneCert’s certification packet has everything needed to get started.
- Step Two: Implement your OSP and OneCert will review it for completeness and compliance
- Step Three: OneCert will send an inspector to your operation to evaluate the performance of your OSP.
- Step Four: OneCert will review the inspector’s report for compliance to applicable standards.
- Step Five: OneCert will make a decision regarding your operation’s organic certification.
Your advice to farmers/entrepreneurs aspiring to join the Organic movement?
For farmers, look for local agriculture practices. Make your own brand, launch value added products. Promote locally grown locally consumed concepts.
In general, the points are very relevant for organic certification. In addition to the value addition of products, not in order to enhance knowledge, capacity, view of people and real practice of organic farming the addional component of integral development like tourism, education, agriculture heritage system need to included especially in government programme. In my opinion, these may contribute on meaningful change to organic agriculture system