Unfortunately, there is a lack of awareness about the Organic drive in India.
Planters wish to convert, but not all have access to information on how to. Consumers are confused : they do not know what is organic, and where to get the same. The traders similarly appear to be in awe of undergoing formalities of registration and audits.
I wish to provide an overview of Organic Tea in this post, in simple words.
STATISTICS
Figures as per year 2006-2007 records are as follows:-
Registered Organic farmers in India : 141904
Land under Organic Cultivation : 339113 Ha.
Organic Production : 585970 MT.
Organic Exports from India : 19456 MT
Value of total exports from India : Rs. 30124 Lacs. http://www.apeda.com/organic/PresentStatus.htm
CONTROL AND REGULATION
The production and trade of Organic Agricultural produce in India is controlled by "APEDA", which stands for : Agricultural and Processed Food Products Development Authority.
http://www.apeda.com/apedawebsite/index.asp
The specific program of APEDA which oversees the Organic operation is the "NPOP" which stands for : National Program for Organic Production. http://www.apeda.com/organic/
ACCREDITIONS PRESENTLY IN VOGUE
- National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) - India. : This certification is recognised by the European Union, and hence equivalent to EEC Certification. The certificate, however is not valid for exports to the USA, even though the USDA has formally acknowledged APEDA's Conformity Assessment System & methods as
acceptable. http://www.apeda.com/organic/India_Recognition_Letter_Day_FINAL_02_16_06.pdf - USDA National Organic Program (NOP)
- European Organic Regulations (EU 2092/91)
- Japan Agricultural Standards (JAS)
- Quebec Organic Reference Standard (CAAQ)
- Bio Suisse Standards IFOAM Basic Standards
Presently NPOP and NOP standards are the most sought after. NPOP standard in any case is the first and primary or default requirement for an Organic operator in India.
TYPES OF DECLARATION
These are country / market / scope specific. Please check validity of terms in the particular country of interest, and use only the applicable terms in print matter to get full advantage.
A Plantation / Farm may be certified as 100 % Organic; Organic; OR Organic under conversion.
A Product may be certified as 100 % Organic; Organic; Made with Organic etc.
INITIATION AND CERTIFICATION BODIES
A plantation or trade wishing to start Organic Operations should give information to and
initiate registration procedure with the APEDA. This is done through an Accredited inspection and certification agency, a list of which is available at http://www.apeda.com/organic/NPOP_certification_bodies.doc
For ease of reference, the list is given hereunder, but I urge you to check accreditation status from APEDA before hiring one.
- Bureau Veritas Certification India Pvt. Ltd., (Formerly known as BVQI (India) Pvt.
Ltd.) scsinfo@in.bureauveritas.com - ECOCERT India Pvt. Ltd ecocert@sancharnet.in
- IMO Control Pvt. Ltd imoind@vsnl.com, http://www.imo.ch/
- Indian Organic Certification Agency (INDOCERT) Sebastian@indocert.org
- Lacon Quality Certification Pvt. Ltd. laconindia@sancharnet.in
- Natural Organic Certification Agency (NOCA) nocaindia29@rediffmail.com, nocaindia@gmail.com
- OneCert Asia Agri Certification Pvt. Ltd. info@onecertasia.in
- SGS India Pvt. Ltd. manish.pande@sgs.com
- Control Union Certifications (Formerly known as Skal International (India))
cuc@controlunion.in, cucindia@controlunion.com, controlunion@vsnl.com - Uttarakhand State Organic Certification Agency (USOCA) uss_opca@rediffmail.com
- APOF Organic Certification Agency (AOCA) aocabangalore@yahoo.co.in
- Rajasthan Organic Certification Agency (ROCA) dir_rssopca@rediffmail.com
Note:- At the time of posting this article, Nos. 11 and 12 above are not competent to
issue NOP certificates.
PLANTATION / FARM OPERATOR SCENARIO
Conversion / Certification of a farm into Organic is the most painstaking part of the Organic Program. It is the farm which has to endure the most. From the time a farm is registered with the APEDA for NPOP for certification, it is known as "Organic under Conversion". From this time on, the farm can use only approved inputs for the maintenance, protection and sustenance of their crop.
Useful information on permissible inputs can be found at http://www.organicinputs.org/, http://www.acornorganic.org/acorn/
The list of inputs keep on changing, and one must keep abreast of the latest list at all times. Various other checks and constraints are placed to ensure complete detoxification of the produce. This is the period of conversion which lasts from 2 to 3 years as per different standards. This is the period during which one may suffer from maximum yield loss without getting any price premium of Organic, as it is yet to be certified.
TRADER / EXPORTER / OPERATOR SCENARIO
The Trader needs to follow strict norms for handling Organic Products, but the operations here are much less complex.
FLOW OF QUANTIS
Every Operator needs to maintain a Flow of Quantis, which must record each receipt, movement, transformation, dispatch, destruction or any other form of disposition in a satisfactory manner and is subject to audits. Any gain of quantity here needs explanation.
TRANSACTION CERTIFICATE
It is the duty of the Seller of Organic produce to provide the buyer with a Transaction certificate for each transaction or sale. These certificates must be traceable and unique and are issued by the respective certification agency on payment of fee.
MOTIVATION
Achievement of Organic standards is no small deed. It is a matter of pride for any organisation, as it is indicative not only of the high standards of operation with in the organisation, but also indicative of its direct, or indirect contribution towards the conservation of nature.
High level of management motivation, innovation at all levels, cutting of waste and cost at all levels, worker & management coordination, training, dedication and overall transparency is
required to last out the conversion phase and achieve the target of Organic certification. Pursuance of ISO-9001, ISO-22000, HACCP, JAS etc. simultaneously can indeed be complimentary.
INFORMATIVE LINKS AND ARTICLES
- Canadian Organic Growers http://www.cog.ca/
- Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance http://www.nodpa.com/
- Organic Info Hotline http://www.mosesorganic.org/helpwanted/farmerhotline.html
- Organic Farming - NDSU Extension Service http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/organic/
- Organic Farming Research Foundation http://www.ofrf.org/
- The NEW FARM http://www.newfarm.org/
- Some very useful and Organic Tea Specific information can be found at http://www.dtrdc.org/organic.htm
