National Programme for Organic Production

For: Preliminary & Mains

Topics covered:

• About the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)
• About Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

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News Flash

In order to boost the export of organic products, the government plans to extend its existing certification to textile, cosmetics and ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, Unani, sidha and homeopathy (AYUSH) products.

Currently, the organic foods are certified through the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Commerce Ministry and the Participatory Guarantee System for India of the Agriculture Ministry.

 

National Programme for Organic Production

• NPOP was launched in 2001. It is the world’s largest organic certification programme.
• NPOP now proposes to enter into organic AYUSH products, organic textiles and organic cosmetics.
• Since 2006, the NPOP has been recognised by the European Union and Switzerland.
• India has a similar agreement with the US. As a result of these agreements, Indian organic products are being exported to these countries without the need for re-certification.
• NPOP is now offering certification services for almost all possible activity starting from crops, livestock, aquaculture, processing and niche segments like mushrooms and sea weeds.
• APEDA is targeting to get the recognition for India’s NPOP from many more countries including Canada, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

 

Background

• The Ministry of Industries and Commerce is implementing the NPOP since 2001 with the following objectives:
• To provide the means of evaluation of the certification programme for organic agriculture and products as per the approved criteria.
• To accredit certification programmes of Certification Bodies seeking accreditation.
• To facilitate the certification of organic products in conformity with the prescribed standards.

 

Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

• The APEDA was established under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December 1985.
• APEDA replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).
• APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of promotion and development of the export of agricultural and its allied products.

 

Important Information

• Among states, Madhya Pradesh has covered the largest area under organic certification followed by Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
• During 2016, Sikkim had achieved a remarkable distinction of converting its entire cultivable land (more than 76,000 hectares) under organic certification.

 

Source: ET

 

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