PGS (India) certification
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 04 2013:
Assistant Director and Officer-in-charge of Regional Centre of Organic Farming (RCOF), Ravindra Kumar has said that small and marginal farmers may opt for PGS (India) as an alternative to organic farming, which involves a huge amount of money.
Speaking to reporters, Ravindra Kumar said that the third party certification system for certification of organic farming carried out through accredited private agencies invloves a huge cost on account of annual fee with a delicate mechanism which turn unaffordable for small and marginal farmers.
A number of farmers in the country switching over to organic cultivation voluntarily are unable to play in premium market flourishing for organic certificate due to their pathetic economic and social conditions, he said and added that PGS (India) is an alternative and a hope for such farmers.
It is a system for certification of organic farming initiated under National Project on Organic Farming and being implemented through National/Regional Centres of Organic Farming (N/RCOFs) in the country.
Saying that it has a participatory approach transparent and friendly to its stake holders, Ravindra Kumar said that PGS (India) being a Government enacted programme is accomplished with absolute validity.
He added that farmers/processors may become the part of PGS (India) family for certification of their farms and process by getting registered with RCOF, Imphal.
The application for registration can be obtained from RCOF, Imphal or Green Foundation, Imphal, he added.