India’s total export value of organic farming has the potential to reach Rs 20,000 crore in the next three years, said Union minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal at the launch of the 8th edition of the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) at Pusa Delhi.
Goyal and minister of state for commerce and industry Jitin Prasada, minister of state for cooperation Murlidhar Mohol, minister of state for cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar, secretary, ministry of cooperation Ashish Kumar Bhutani and senior government officials unveiled a dedicated NPOP portal as well as an organic promotion portal, which will provide more visibility and ease of operations for organic stakeholders.
They unveiled TraceNet 2.0 the upgraded online traceability system for seamless operations and enhanced tools for regulatory oversight. The redesigned APEDA portal was also showcased with enhanced user experience and information to benefit agri and processed food products’ stakeholders. The redesigned AgriXchange portal was also launched, it will enable more user-friendly data analysis and generation of reports & data of agricultural exports making it accessible for the general public.
The minister also distributed the first five registration certificates generated on TraceNet 2.0 to Organic operators.
Goyal during his address said prime minister Narendra Modi underlined the importance of organic farming in his first Parliament speech. He mentioned that the PM during his speech on 78th Independence Day noted the growing importance of organic farming across the world and its far-reaching benefits on individual health and restoring soil nutrients.
The minister said Union minister of home Amit Shah has made huge contributions in simplifying and reducing application costs for the electronic service portal TraceNet 2.0. Goyal said Shah noted the growing community of organic farmers through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Cooperatives in the country.
Organic farming as a form of sustainable farming practice will help combat water scarcity and overapplication of fertilizers and pesticides harming soil quality and crop yields in the country, the Minister noted. Highlighting the farmers’ efforts in ensuring food security, Goyal said there is a significant push from the Government to promote organic farming.
Organic farming has become a priority for the nation and will be regarded as a valuable way of farming across the world. Farmers adopting organic farming have seen an increase in yields and income, he said. The Minister said that organic farming plays a crucial role in Indian agriculture. He noted that the Government will benefit from increased exports of organic products to the world.
The minister also said that there is a need to put emphasis on packaging and marketing of the organic products for the farmers to receive the right price for their produce. He also pointed out that this value chain will also help generate employment and the nation will gain popularity across the world.
Goyal praised the efforts of Amul, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and National Co-operative Organics Limited (NCOL) for contributing to the growth of the organic sector. He also said the cooperative sector, farming sector and the trade sector will assist the organic sector to grow in the future.
There is a need to focus on market expansion and raise quality standards of the products. Capacity building for the farmers and research on utilizing modern techniques for higher yields is also necessary. Higher yields will lead to higher availability of products which will help spur buying decisions of consumers, Goyal said.
The 8th edition of the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) introduces key amendments aimed at promoting ease of operations and enhancing transparency for stakeholders, including farmers. Certification requirements for organic grower groups have been simplified, and these groups are now granted legal status in place of the Internal Control System (ICS). The revised derogation provisions allow for a potential reduction of up to three years in the land conversion period to organic, subject to conditions and safeguards.
The ICS of organic grower groups must ensure the procurement of the entire organic produce or establish market linkages to support farmers. Transparency is enhanced through the disclosure of information about organic farmers and other relevant details in the public domain, bolstering system credibility. Additionally, oversight mechanisms have been strengthened with the integration of IT tools and the web-based traceability system, Tracenet, for monitoring, surveillance, and data analytics.
Portals unveiled
NPOP portal: The dedicated portal for the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) will provide more visibility and ease of operations for Organic stakeholders. Link to the portal: https://npop.apeda.in/
Organic Promotion Portal: Farmers, FPOs and exporters can showcase their certified organic products, generate Trade Leads and connect with global buyers. This will also include online training and capacity-building sessions for operators on organic production and information on organic trade events. Link to the portal: https://organic-promotion.apeda.in/
TraceNet 2.0: The upgraded online organic traceability system for seamless operations and enhanced tools for regulatory oversight. It will ensure transparency, traceability, and compliance for organic agricultural and processed food products from farm to market. By integrating technology with agriculture, TraceNet empowers stakeholders to streamline operations and meet global organic certification standards. Link to the portal: tracenet.apeda.gov.in
APEDA portal: Redesigned and revamped APEDA portal with enhanced user experience and information for the benefit of Agri and Processed food products’ stakeholders. Link to the portal: https://apedawebsite.apeda.in/
AgriXchange portal: Redesigned and revamped AgriXchange portal enables more user-friendly data analysis and generation of reports & data of Agricultural exports making it accessible for the general public. Exporters can seamlessly connect with international buyers and sellers as well as explore comprehensive trade insights at their fingertips. Link to the portal: https://agrixchange.apeda.in/
The National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) is a key government program that strengthens India’s organic certification system, promoting sustainable farming practices and opening new opportunities for farmers and exporters. By setting high standards for organic products, NPOP enhances India’s competitiveness in the global organic market, while helping farmers adopt eco-friendly and economically viable practices.
With the launch of the 8th Edition of the NPOP, India is poised to strengthen its position as a leading global exporter of organic products, empowering stakeholders across the organic value chain. The new regulations underscore the government’s ongoing commitment to sustainable agriculture, farmer welfare and food security.
The occasion saw wide participation from government officials from both the Centre and State, embassy officials and representatives from major trading partners like USA, EU, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, and UAE, industry leaders from international organizations like the FAO, IFOAM and FiBL, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)/ Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and over 1000 farmers from the states of Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim and Rajasthan.
Companies from the Indian Organic Industry such as Organic India, Nature Bio Foods, Nature Pearls, Shresta, Jeev Amrit, Plantrich, PDS Spices, Amul and government ministries and departments like NAFED and NCOL showcased their products in the 11 stalls that were put up by APEDA.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is the apex body under the ministry of commerce & industry responsible for promoting the export of agricultural and processed food products.
IndiFoodBev — authentic, impactful and influential
An English-language food and beverage processing and packaging industry B2B platform in print and web, IndiFoodBev is in its third year of publication. It is said that the Indian food and beverage industries represent approximately US$ 900 billion in revenues which implies more than 20% of the country’s GDP. Eliminating the wastage on the farmside can help to deliver more protein to a higher number of the population apart from generating sizable exports. The savings in soil, seeds, water, fertilizer, energy and ultimately food and nutrition could be the most immense contribution that country is poised to make to the moderation of climate change.
To improve your marketing and grow sales to the food and beverage processing and packaging industry, talk to us. Our research and consulting company IppStar [www.ippstar.org] can assess your potential and addressable markets in light of the competition. We can discuss marketing, communication, and sales strategies for market entry and growth.
Suppliers and service providers with a strategy and budget for targeted marketing can discuss using our hybrid print, web, video, and social media channels to create brand recognition linked to market relevance. Our technical writers are ready to meet you and your customers for content.
The second largest producer of fruit and vegetables in the world is continuously expanding processing capacities and delivery systems with appropriate innovative technologies. We cover product and consumer trends, nutrition, processing, research, equipment and packaging from farm to thali. Get our 2025 media kit and recalibrate your role in this dynamic market. Enhance your visibility and relevance to existing markets and turn potential customers into conversations. Ask for a sample copy of our bi-monthly in print or our weekly IndiFoodBev eZine each Wednesday.
For editorial info@ippgroup.in — for advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in
Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
Subscribe Now
