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VIKRAM BOKEY - Sarawak Development Institute

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PREVENTING FARMERS’ SUICIDES !<br />

MOFF’S S EXPERIENCE SHOWS ONLY ORGANIC<br />

FARMING WORKS<br />

Presented by<br />

Vikram Bokey IPS(R )<br />

Chairman,<br />

MaharashtraOrganic Farming Federation,Pune(MOFF)<br />

At<br />

ORGANIC ASIA – THE WAY FORWARD<br />

( INNOVATIONS, CHALLENGES AND COLLABORATION FOR THE FUTURE)<br />

<strong>Sarawak</strong> Village ,Kuching, <strong>Sarawak</strong> MALAYSIA<br />

October 28 th to 31 st 2008<br />

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MAHARASHTRA ORGANIC FARMING<br />

FEDERATION, PUNE<br />

State level federation of :<br />

• Farmers<br />

• Stakeholders<br />

• Environmentalists<br />

• NGOs<br />

• Consumers<br />

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Aim<br />

• Transfer of technology for Sustainable Agriculture to farmers at grass<br />

root level<br />

• Promotion of low-cost, no-debt, sustainable production of agricultural<br />

crops & prevent farmers’suicides.<br />

• Training for value addition, grading, packing, labeling & marketing<br />

• Certification of Organic farms<br />

• Women participation & empowerment in Sustainable Agriculture<br />

• Awareness of poison free organic food consumption in the urban<br />

society<br />

• Facilitate marketing of organic food from farmers directly to the<br />

consumers.<br />

• Documentation –Success stories, Innovative Practices, package of<br />

Practices, Data on Economics, Research Papers etc.<br />

• Publications.<br />

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• Food & Agriculture Organization -United Nations (FAO -UN)<br />

• International <strong>Institute</strong> For Sustainable Agriculture, Pune(IISA)<br />

• Gene Campaign, New Delhi<br />

Coordination<br />

• Center for Environment Education, New Delhi (CEE)<br />

• Research Foundation for Science, Technology & Ecology, New<br />

Delhi<br />

• The Covenant Center for <strong>Development</strong> (CCD), New Delhi<br />

• Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi (DBT)<br />

• International Competence Center for Organic Agriculture,<br />

Bangalore(ICCOA)<br />

• Organic Farming Association of India, Goa (OFAI)<br />

contd<br />

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Coordination<br />

• National Center of Organic farming, Ghaziabad ( UP )<br />

• Commissioner of Agriculture, M.S, Pune<br />

• Department of Agriculture Animal Husbandry & Dairy Science,<br />

M.S.<br />

• Four Agricultural Universities of Maharashtra State<br />

• 120 NGOs – e.g. Panipanchayat, Gramparivartan, NOCA, VOFA,<br />

KVK etc<br />

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Network of MOFF, Pune<br />

• Jurisdiction - MaharashtraState<br />

• Head Office - Pune<br />

• Trustees - 10<br />

* 34 Districts<br />

* 140 Taluka<br />

* 15000 Villages<br />

• Apex Council - 127 members ( 3-4 Senior Organic Farmers / District)<br />

• Advisory Board -20 members (Hon. Adv. Manohar Parchure,<br />

Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, Dr. TarakKate,<br />

Dr. Ashwini Ghorpade & others)<br />

• District Heads -34 Organic farmers<br />

• District Coordinators - 68 organic farmers<br />

• Member NGOs - 120<br />

• Farmers in Contact - 1,42,000<br />

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Principal Activities<br />

• Establishment of An International <strong>Institute</strong>, for Sustainable<br />

Agriculture,Pune<br />

• “Farmers Suicide Prevention Mission”inVidarbha<br />

• GRAMDOOT Project to convert 25,000 farmers from chemical to<br />

organic farming.<br />

• Self SustainableBiovillage Projects<br />

• Organic Model Farms<br />

• Organic Farm schools – (Every Thursday, 2 hrs Theory & 2 hrs<br />

Practical on organic farms)<br />

• Organic Crop demonstrations<br />

• Trainers’ Training on Organic farming<br />

• Seed Banks of traditional, improved, straight & composite varieties of<br />

major crops (Hybrids & Genetically modified crops Prohibited)<br />

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Principal Activities<br />

• Anti. GM. Campaign<br />

• Farmer rallies, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, organic Mandi /<br />

Bazar<br />

• Study tours for farmers in & out of MaharashtraState<br />

• Self help groups of male & female farmers<br />

• Organic farm certification with Participatory guarantee scheme (PGS)<br />

• Farmers’Producer Companies<br />

• Organic food consumers club<br />

• Documentation of organic farmers’ experiences, Innovative<br />

experiments, Success Stories, Technical & research findings, Marketing<br />

data etc<br />

• Leading role in Government’s organic policy<br />

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Presentation<br />

Part – I<br />

SUCCESS STORY OF FARMERS’<br />

SUICIDE<br />

PREVENTION MISSION<br />

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PROJECT AREA AND POPULATION OF Farmers<br />

District<br />

Area under<br />

cultivation<br />

( hectares)<br />

Population of Farmers<br />

Akola 4,58,000 1,14,000<br />

Buldhana 6,29,000 3,25,000<br />

Amravati 4,98,000 1,36,000<br />

Wardha 4,05,000 1,23,000<br />

Yavatmal 8,03,000 2,85,000<br />

Washim 3,30,000 1,32,000<br />

Total 31,23,000 11,15,000<br />

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Project At a Glance<br />

• Title of the Project :- FARMERS’ SUICIDE PREVENTION<br />

MISSION, in VIDARBHA<br />

• Period of the Project :-June 2006 to May 2008<br />

• Area of operation :-Six Districts ofVidarbhaRegion<br />

• Number ofTalukas :-61<br />

• Task Force of the Project :-144<br />

• Targeted main Crops :-Cotton, Soybean, Pigeon Pea, Wheat,<br />

Gram, Groundnut, Orange.<br />

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Task Force of the Project<br />

Sr.<br />

No.<br />

Name of Person Designation No Area of operation<br />

1 Shri. Vikram Bokey Chairman 1 Maharashtra State<br />

2 Shri. Diliprao Deshmukh<br />

Baradkar<br />

Vice - Chairman 1 Maharashtra State<br />

3 Smt. Chandraprabha Bokey Principal Project<br />

coordinator<br />

1 Vidarbha Region<br />

4 Shri. SanjaySontakke Project coordinator 1 Vidarbha Region<br />

5 Shri. Jayaprakash Patil District coordinator 1 Akola<br />

6 Shri. Ramesh Deshmukh District coordinator 1 Buldhana<br />

Contd…<br />

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Sr.<br />

No.<br />

Name of Person Designation No Area of<br />

operation<br />

7 Shri. Shyam Sawant District coordinator 1 Amravati<br />

8 Shri. SanjayTigaonkar District coordinator 1 Wardha<br />

9 Shri. RamKalaspurkar District coordinator 1 Yavatmal<br />

10 Shri. Narendra Taiwade District coordinator 1 Washim<br />

11 Affiliated NGO<br />

Members<br />

12 Field Staff Village<br />

Ambassadors<br />

(Gramdoot)<br />

Project Facilitators 12 2 NGOs per<br />

District<br />

(6 District)<br />

122 @ 2 per<br />

Talukafor<br />

61Talukas<br />

Total 144<br />

6 Districts<br />

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Area of operation & beneficiaries of the Project<br />

Sr.<br />

No.<br />

District<br />

Area<br />

(Sq.Kms).<br />

No. of<br />

beneficiaries<br />

(farmers)<br />

crops<br />

1 Akola 5,429 1,740 Cotton, Pigeon pea, Soybean,<br />

Orange, Vegetables<br />

2 Buldhana 9,661 3,435 Cotton, Pigeon pea, Soybean, Gram,<br />

Wheat, Orange<br />

3 Amravati 12, 210 3,530 Cotton, Pigeon pea, Gram,<br />

Ground – nut, Wheat, Orange<br />

4 Wardha 6,309 1,505 Cotton, Soybean, Pigeon pea, Gram,<br />

Orange, Wheat<br />

5 Yavatmal 9,892 3,995 Cotton, Pigeon pea, Soybean,<br />

Groundnut, Gram, Wheat, Orange<br />

6 Washim 5,134 1,475 Cotton, Soybean, Wheat, Gram,<br />

Pigeon pea, Groundnut<br />

Total 48,635 15,680<br />

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Area under different crops in the Project<br />

( hectares )<br />

Sr.<br />

No<br />

District Cotton Soybean Pigeonpea Wheat Gram Groundnut Orange<br />

1. Akola 2,07,600 50,300 52,200 3,400 24,000 500 3,791<br />

2. Buldhana 1,88,700 1,41,200 81,600 26,500 30,100 600 2,328<br />

3 Amravati 2,68,200 1,67,100 90,900 10,300 37,200 2,000 54,123<br />

4 Wardha 99,800 1,95,500 52,500 15,500 21,300 2,600 9,596<br />

5 Yavatmal 3,32,800 1,76,300 1,27,100 5,100 12,900 1,200 7,208<br />

6 Washim 67,800 1,85,100 47,400 3,000 24,700 100 2,004<br />

Total 11,64,900 9,15,500 4,51,700 63,800 1,50,200 8,502 79,050<br />

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Panchsutri<br />

( the five point formula )<br />

• A key to ensure reasonable livelihood for small land holder farmers.<br />

• Guarantees debt-free farming & self –reliance.<br />

1. Counseling :-To change the mindset of NPK based agriculture<br />

2. Indigenous seed :-No use of hybrid & GM crop seeds<br />

3. Indigenous livestock :-Indigenous cow providing organic inputs for<br />

crop nutrient &pest management.<br />

4. Mixed cropping pattern :-Ensures compensation in losses due to natural<br />

factors.<br />

:-Meets demand of variety of food required by<br />

farmer’s family.<br />

:-Helps for crop nourishment & pest<br />

management.<br />

5. Value addition & marketing :-by farmers / Self help groups.<br />

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‘12 POINTS’ Organic Crop Production Package of MOFF<br />

• Importance of In-situ Soil & Water (Moisture) Conservation<br />

• Selection of proper soil & crop pattern.<br />

• Selection of improved, straight & composite varieties of crop<br />

(No Hybrid, Genetically Modified seed, & Research seed<br />

variety of Private Seed Companies)<br />

• Culturing of Seed Material<br />

• Proper method of sowing / planting.<br />

• Crop nutrient management practice.<br />

Contd…<br />

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‘12 POINTS’ Organic Crop Production Package of MOFF<br />

• Pest management practices<br />

• Weed management practice<br />

• Mulching<br />

• Harvesting & Value addition (Cleaning , grading,<br />

processing, packing, labeling etc.) of Organic Products.<br />

• Certification of organic farm under Participatory Guarantee<br />

Scheme (PGS)<br />

• Marketing of organic products – Domestic & Abroad<br />

(Producer to consumer direct supply linkage)<br />

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MAJOR ACTIVITIES OF THE PROJECT<br />

Sr.<br />

No.<br />

Particulars<br />

Area of<br />

operation<br />

No.<br />

Number of<br />

Beneficiaries<br />

Remark<br />

1 Baseline Survey<br />

i) Soil type,<br />

Climate, irrigation<br />

Sources &<br />

6 Districts<br />

-<br />

-<br />

Baseline Survey<br />

Conducted to<br />

re-evaluate it at the<br />

end of the Project<br />

Cropping Patterns<br />

ii) Socio,<br />

6 Districts<br />

economic survey<br />

-<br />

-<br />

of Farmers' family &<br />

Resources available<br />

iii) Data on Cost<br />

6 Districts<br />

cultivation &<br />

Profitability<br />

Contd…<br />

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Sr.<br />

Particulars<br />

Area of<br />

No.<br />

Number of<br />

Remark<br />

No.<br />

operation<br />

Beneficiaries<br />

2 Spiritual Training<br />

6 District 18<br />

1800<br />

-<br />

sources to give up<br />

suicidal thoughts.<br />

(3 per District)<br />

(100 per<br />

sources)<br />

3 Meetings to create<br />

6 District 30<br />

300<br />

-<br />

awareness of<br />

organic farming for<br />

farmers &<br />

(5 per District)<br />

(100 per<br />

meeting)<br />

consumers<br />

4. Study Tours and<br />

6 District 24<br />

2400<br />

-<br />

farm Visit to ideal<br />

organic farms.<br />

(4 per District)<br />

(100 per<br />

Tour)<br />

Contd…<br />

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Sr.<br />

No.<br />

Particulars<br />

Area of<br />

operation<br />

No.<br />

Number of<br />

Beneficiaries<br />

Remark<br />

5 Indigenous Seed<br />

6 Districts 12<br />

Farmers from<br />

Expert organic<br />

Banks<br />

(2 banks per<br />

district)<br />

61Talukas<br />

farmers<br />

established<br />

Seed Banks to<br />

provide seeds<br />

to interested<br />

farmer<br />

6 Trainings for<br />

61Talukas 305<br />

15250 (50<br />

-<br />

organic cultivation<br />

Practices<br />

5 Trainings<br />

/Taluka<br />

farmers per<br />

training)<br />

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Sr.<br />

No.<br />

Particulars<br />

Area of<br />

operation<br />

No.<br />

Number of<br />

Beneficiaries<br />

Remark<br />

7 Demonstrations on<br />

61Talukas 610<br />

30500<br />

Demonstrations<br />

organic input<br />

Production on farm<br />

(10 Demos<br />

/Talukas)<br />

(50 farmers /<br />

demo)<br />

for the<br />

Production of<br />

Vermicompost,<br />

biodynamic<br />

compost<br />

Beejamrut,<br />

Jeevamrut,<br />

Deshaparni etc<br />

8 Organic Model<br />

50Talukas 100<br />

Farmers visited<br />

Plots (Organic farm<br />

School )<br />

2 plots /<br />

Talukas<br />

these farms<br />

during their<br />

study tours<br />

Contd…<br />

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Sr.<br />

No.<br />

Particulars<br />

Area of<br />

operation<br />

No.<br />

Number of<br />

Beneficiaries<br />

Remark<br />

9 Trainings to farmers &<br />

60<br />

300<br />

15,000<br />

Experts and<br />

self help groups for<br />

value addition ,<br />

Processing & Packing<br />

of organic produce<br />

Talukas<br />

5<br />

Trainings<br />

/Taluka<br />

50 Trainees /<br />

Training<br />

Government<br />

Sponsored<br />

the Trainings<br />

10 Trainings for Organic<br />

61<br />

61<br />

6100<br />

OFAI &<br />

Certification under<br />

Participatory Guarantee<br />

Scheme (PGS) &<br />

Meeting Strategy<br />

Talukas<br />

One<br />

Training /<br />

Taluka<br />

100 farmers /<br />

Training<br />

MOFF<br />

Sponsored<br />

the trainings<br />

&<br />

documentatio<br />

n under PGS<br />

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Baseline survey of the project<br />

(Soil type, climate, cropping pattern, socio economic<br />

status, production cost benefit ratio etc)<br />

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Spiritual Training courses to give up suicidal thoughts.<br />

(1,800 beneficiary farmers)<br />

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Meetings to create awareness of organic farming<br />

(30 Meetings)<br />

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Study tours to ideal organic farms<br />

(24 Study tours)<br />

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Indigenous Seed Bank<br />

(12 Banks)<br />

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Training for organic cultivation practices<br />

(305 Trainings)<br />

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Demonstration of organic input production on farm<br />

(610 Demos)<br />

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Training to Self Help Groups for Value addition of<br />

organic product ( 300 Trainings )<br />

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Training for organic certification under PGS<br />

( 61 Trainings)<br />

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Organic farm school -Model Plots<br />

(100 Schools)<br />

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Achievements of the Project<br />

1. Stopped suicides completely in 62 blocks of six districts covering 15,680 farmers.<br />

2. Created awareness of low cost, no- debt & Sustainable Production Technology to<br />

small land holder & resource poor farmers.<br />

3. Conversion of 15,680 farmers from chemical to organic farming with –organic<br />

certified farms.<br />

4. Availability of wide range of PGS certified organic produce for domestic<br />

marketing.<br />

5. Improvement in soil productivity inVidarbha region<br />

6. Increase in water table level helping farmers to take additional seasonal crops.<br />

7. 15,000 farmers learnt to produce required organic inputs on farm & saved money<br />

on purchase from market.<br />

Contd…<br />

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8.Establishment of 100 organic model plots, totally self reliant.<br />

9. Establishment of 12 indigenous seed banks<br />

10. Strengthened 150 Self Help Groups through trainings on value addition &<br />

processing of organic Products, thereby helping about 1,800 families earn<br />

additional livelihood.<br />

11. Created awareness of toxic-free food computation in consumers<br />

12. Provided gainful employment for about 600 persons for organic input production<br />

units.<br />

Achievements of the Project<br />

13. Project established a model for replication by other States in India.<br />

14. Made a welcome change in the livelihood of these families.<br />

15. Restored faith in the oldest culture, in the history of main land.<br />

16. Curbed & reversed the influx of the Rural Youth to the Urbanhabitats.<br />

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Achievements of the mission


Presentation<br />

Part – II<br />

PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE<br />

SCHEME FOR ORGANIC<br />

CERTIFICATION ( PGS )<br />

- ideal for small land holder farmers<br />

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Common Problems in Organic Certification<br />

• Consumers want proof of organic status<br />

• 3rd party Certification<br />

-Too expensive in direct costs<br />

-Too complicated (paperwork)<br />

-Unsustainable<br />

-By design an exclusive marketing label only.<br />

-Facilitates non-diversified large farm certification.<br />

• Organic movement is being stifled by 3rd Party Certification (less<br />

than 0.05 % certified !)<br />

• Farmers & Consumers are looking for an alternative certification<br />

system.<br />

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1. Participatory Guarantee Scheme in recognized &<br />

promoted by :<br />

– Food & Agriculture Organization (U.N.)<br />

– International Federation of Organic Farming Movements<br />

(IFOAM).<br />

• PGS is in active use in<br />

– Brazil<br />

– USA<br />

– New Zealand<br />

• PGS is supported by Government of India through<br />

National Centreof Organic Farming,Ghaziabad<br />

(U.P.)<br />

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Organic India Council Implementing PGS through NGOs<br />

In India<br />

• Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI)<br />

• Maharashtra Organic Farming Federation (MOFF)<br />

• Timbaktu Collective<br />

• Deccan <strong>Development</strong> Society, AndhraPradesh (DDS)<br />

• Indian <strong>Institute</strong> of Rural <strong>Development</strong>, (IIRD)<br />

• Keystone Foundation<br />

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PGS in India<br />

Key Factors for Success<br />

• Low Direct Cost. Affordable to families that may have low cash sales.<br />

• Minimal paperwork<br />

• Appropriate for small farmers<br />

• Regionally appropriate Standards<br />

• Peer inspections<br />

• Village, Regional & National groups in a horizontal Network without<br />

hierarchies<br />

• Build the Organic Movement, rather than just provide an expensive<br />

marketing label.<br />

Contd …<br />

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PGS in India<br />

Key Factors for Success<br />

• Mutual Recognition & support between regional PGS groups in India.<br />

There are already individual local labels being created independently,<br />

but a single strongly supported national label will do much more for<br />

the movement as a whole. There is strength in numbers & more<br />

credibility to the program as a whole is created<br />

• Inclusive of New & Transitioning Organic Farmers<br />

• Subtext of support & training built into the system<br />

• Empower the Small Farmer with skills & market power.<br />

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PGS Philosophy<br />

• Provide a credible guarantee to consumers<br />

• Maintained by the farmers & other stakeholders that it serves<br />

• Empowerment & responsibility of stakeholders<br />

• Minimize costs & administration<br />

• In-build systems encourage peer education & support<br />

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PGS “Key Features”<br />

• Organic Norms/ Standards<br />

• Clear & Consistent process of certification with openly documented<br />

management systems & procedures.<br />

• Transparent decision making<br />

• Stakeholder control over the Norms<br />

• Non-hierarchical / Grassroots Organization<br />

• Suitable to small holder agriculture<br />

• Principles & values that enhance livelihoods & promote organic agriculture<br />

• Mechanisms to verify farmer’s compliance<br />

• Mechanisms for supporting farmers (education, networks)<br />

• National seal / label / mark to demonstrate inclusion in the system<br />

• Clear & previously defined consequences for defaulters.<br />

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Key Groups<br />

C<br />

R<br />

E<br />

D<br />

I<br />

B<br />

I<br />

L<br />

I<br />

T<br />

Y<br />

Farm Family<br />

Local Group<br />

Regional<br />

Group<br />

National Coord<br />

Committee<br />

ORGANIZATION LEVEL<br />

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PGS Organizational Chart<br />

National Coordinating Committee<br />

Regional Group<br />

Regional Group<br />

Regional Group<br />

Local Group<br />

Local Group<br />

Local Group<br />

Farmer<br />

Farmer<br />

Farmer<br />

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Certification Process : Building Credibility<br />

Farmer<br />

Joins Local Group<br />

Fills in Basic Info Application<br />

Reads simplified standards<br />

Signs “Farmer’s Pledge”<br />

Local Group Peer Inspection (3+)<br />

Scripted Visit<br />

•Complete physical field checks<br />

•Confirm farmer understands rules<br />

Sign inspection statement<br />

•May complete farmer’s app at this<br />

time<br />

Local Group<br />

Collates application, inspection, pledge<br />

for each farmer<br />

Secret ballot voting<br />

Sends Summary toRegCouncil<br />

National Coordinating Committee<br />

Registers the name of each Local<br />

Group Random Pesticide Residue<br />

Testing Maintains SMS / Internet<br />

Traceability<br />

Regional Council<br />

Checks for completeness<br />

Passes info to NCC<br />

Issues annual ID # to Local Group<br />

Issues Certificates to each Farmer<br />

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Role of Key Groups<br />

Individual Farmers<br />

• Educate themselves on Organic Standards<br />

• Sign a Pledge that they understand and adhere to Organic Standards<br />

• Participate in Inspection/audits of Other farmers<br />

• Advising neighbors, Sharing information, improving Capacity of the group<br />

as a Whole<br />

• No Restrictions on visit to farm<br />

• (Encouraged) Participate in inspections/sharing in neighboring villages<br />

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Role of Local Groups<br />

WHO Farmers ( and consumers) living in one or more village :<br />

-May be self-created, but more after group is facilitated by a local NGO or<br />

Government agency extension Service<br />

-Can be overlaid on an existing group-(i.e) Self-Help Group Farmer, Field School<br />

group, Women’s empowerment group etc)<br />

ROLE :<br />

-First contact point for new farmers<br />

-Coordinate on-farm inspections<br />

-Regular meeting to support and educate each other<br />

-Confidential voting<br />

-Take responsibility for each other<br />

-Remove member for defaults – permanently or for the season<br />

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Role of Key Groups Regional Council<br />

Who<br />

- NGO or district level government OR Self Created by several Local<br />

Groups<br />

- Any Group can become a regional council as long as they can meet<br />

the functional requirements (just as a government, NGO or for profit<br />

Company can be 3 rd Party certifier<br />

- Consumer Member Strongly encouraged<br />

contd<br />

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ROLE<br />

- Apply to the National Coordinating Committee for paper work and procedures<br />

- Training and support to Local Groups in Procedures.<br />

- First point of contact for new farmer groups and consumers.<br />

- Check for complete Paperwork from Local Group.<br />

- Issue ID number to each Local Group<br />

- Issue Organic Certificates to each Member of the Local Group (can’t choose<br />

farmers).<br />

- Participates in Sampling of Local Group farm inspections<br />

- Provides Summary information on each farm to NGO<br />

- (Encouraged) Regional Level Marketing (district level farmer’s market consumer<br />

Co-op. school, festival etc.)<br />

- Encouraged) Apply for a seat on the NCC<br />

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WHO<br />

Role of Key Groups<br />

National Coordinating Committee<br />

- Representative from Ministry of Agriculture with Consumer Groups appropriate NGOs<br />

and unlimited number of Regional Council Groups<br />

ROLE<br />

- Approve application and requirement Councils<br />

- Provide appropriate and updated documents to RC’s<br />

- Maintain National Standard (Based on NPOP but may have exceptions)<br />

- Approve Regional Standards<br />

- National Level outreach, education and marketing on Organic and PGS<br />

- Maintain SMS and Internet traceabilityfor all Local Groups and Processors<br />

- Maintains a Positive relationship with 3 rd Party Certifiers. Helps link Local Groups to<br />

global markets through ICS Programs with 3 rd Party Certifiers<br />

- Coordinate random sample pesticide residue testing<br />

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)<br />

• The Difference Between PGS and 3 rd Party Certification<br />

- Paperwork<br />

- Regionally appropriate (and small farmers appropriate Standards<br />

allow more farmers to Participate, increasing the organic base in the<br />

country.<br />

- PGS is inclusive of new/ transitioning Organic Farmers<br />

- Involvement of Consumers is encouraged<br />

- 3 rd Party Certification has proven to be too easy to defraud because<br />

it’s based on paperwork and an antagonistic relationship (think of<br />

income taxes) rather than join social control and peer support.<br />

Contd<br />

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)<br />

• Why not dictate that outsiders be included in “Peer Inspections” (Priest members<br />

from another village, local Panchayat. Ag-Technicians. etc)<br />

• How big is a Regional Group what areas is covered. Who can form a Regional<br />

Group. Who must be included. Shouldn’t we specify these things<br />

• Who can you expect village farmers to exclude each other from local group (secret<br />

ballot. Social control example of two strikes. Out for a year)<br />

• Aren’t 3 rd Party Certification Agencies going to fight this Does PGS Complete with<br />

3 rd Party Certification<br />

• How do you keep distributors and processors from cheating ( Can you ever do<br />

this Ecocert Suggestions)<br />

• From a farmer This is a lot of work . I’d rather just pay my 100 rupees to the ICS<br />

and be done with it How is this better<br />

• From Farmers is there a buyer for my PGS Certified Organic Find me one first<br />

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)<br />

• Difference Between ICS and PGS<br />

- In India, only the crop is certified. Certified Organic cotton farmers inMaharashtra<br />

are now seeking 2 nd organic certification for Wheat …. PGS Certifies the whole<br />

farm<br />

- ICS requires a common point of sale. There is no freedom for farmers to explore<br />

other markets or to self certified organic Products in other markets.<br />

- Farmers basically becomes an indentured laborer-farmer can be taken advantage of<br />

(MH example again)<br />

- Farmer not in control of Standards and regulation. Results in less farmers being<br />

certified<br />

- Farmers not in control of costs (increasing with greater monitoring and in GAO.<br />

Pesticide residues BELOW acceptable Organic standards were found in a UK<br />

grocery store (could even have been in the packing ) but ICS GROUP is now<br />

required to pay for regular testing)<br />

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Contd…


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)<br />

- ICS doesn’t work because it starts with an antagonistic “Prove it” relationship<br />

between farmer and the monitors, Farmers end up helping each other cheat after<br />

even one suffers being reported on by an outside monitor.<br />

- No empowerment / Capacity Building of farmers<br />

- Confidentiality more important than Transparency<br />

- Huge Amount of Paperwork required assistance from NGO is not sustainable<br />

- ICS (like 3 rd Party labeling) is just a marketing tool. PGS requires more capacity &<br />

involvement from farmers but it builds a MOVEMENT<br />

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Marketing<br />

Who is going to buy PGS Organic<br />

• Local Direct Markets (Street Markets, Wheat festival)<br />

• Food World, Shop Rite (Can only get export rejects, Poor quality& high Premiums)<br />

• Local Organic-only Shops are increasing (Raj Shekhar Reddy 5 )<br />

• International Opportunities (Brazilian Example)<br />

• Domestic Processing Opportunities<br />

• ITC Kiosk project with high degree oftraceabilityin – built<br />

• Numerous domestic marketing Opportunities (Women’s empowerment groups can<br />

form cooperatives to self Farmer’s excess crops-Dhamapuri /Madhuri)<br />

• Chetna Organic’scotton interest<br />

• Also, why ask when you already have such good infrastructure to overlay right now<br />

with minimal hassle<br />

• “Build it and they will come”<br />

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Sr.<br />

No.<br />

PGS groups formed in India<br />

( As on 15 th October 2008 )<br />

Name of NGO State No. of PGS<br />

group<br />

1 Deccan<strong>Development</strong> society<br />

(DDs)<br />

2 Maharashtra Organic<br />

Farming Federation (MOFF)<br />

Total No. of<br />

Farmers<br />

Andhra Pradesh 40 200<br />

Maharashtra 30 200<br />

3 Timbaktu Collective (TC) Andhra Pradesh 17 431<br />

4 INFACT Kerala 1 10<br />

5 TOFT Tamil Nadu 4 38<br />

6 VSK Uttar Pradesh 1 11<br />

Total 93 890<br />

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IISA

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