Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) – India Portal

Participatory Guarantee System Image

Participatory Guarantee System Image

An important initiative taken by the government of India for the up-gradation of the agriculture sector of the country is the launch of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) portal, along with two more portals: soil health card and fertiliser quality control scheme.

What is Participatory Guarantee System (PGS)?

PGS is an internationally applicable organic quality assurance system. Participatory Guarantee System –India (PGS-India) is a decentralised organic farming certification system. The system certifies organic products maintaining the requisite quality standards, including ensuring that the cultivation and production process is done complying the standards laid down for organic products. The products are certified as organic in the form of a documented logo or a statement. The scheme is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. The system is supported by the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) scheme.

Objective

The basic objective is to promote the growth of the Indian organic market.

Benefits

  • The basic benefit is to help small and marginal farmers to easily get access to organic certification.
  • It is cost effective, hassle-free and most important of all farmer-friendly.
  • It helps in increasing domestic demand for organic produce.
  • It also provides training to farmers in management of documents and fulfilment of requirements that are needed for the certification process.
  • The system also prepares the farmers to opt for third party certification, if he wants to opt for exporting his produce. This is a pre-requirement to enter the market for export of organic produce.
  • There is active participation of stakeholders which include not only the producers/farmers, but also the traders and consumers in the certification system.
  • It enables the direct participation of the stakeholders in the choice and definition of the standards, in implementing the certification decisions.

The online portal

A web portal for online operation and participation of this certification system has been launched very recently and can be accessed at http://www.pgsindia-ncof.gov.in. This online platform will enable (a) Registration (b) Approval (c) Documentation (d) Record of inspection and (e) Certification. This will enable a complete transparency in the entire certification process. Also, the web portal will have a database of organic producers/farmers and areas under PGS certification with easy accessibility and traceability.

Related Information:

 

Read Also:

Fertiliser Quality Control System (FQCS) portal
Soil Health Card (SHC) for Indian Farmers
Nagar Van Udyan Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana
PM Modi’s Agricultural Reforms Agenda
Major Soil Types
Soil Map of India
Is organic farming a viable option in India?