Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Experiment 3
Experiment 4
ORGANIC CROP PRODUCTION
Organic crop production management should cover a diverse planting scheme. For perennial
crops, this should include plant-based ground cover crops. For annual crops, this should
include diverse crop rotation practices, cover crops (green manures), intercropping or other
diverse plant production methods.
1. Crop Production Plan
The producer seeking certification under the NSOP (hereinafter, referred to as ‘standards’)
shall be required to develop an organic crop production plan. This plan shall include:
Description of the crops in the production cycle (main crop and intercrop) as per the agro
climatic seasons.
i. Description of practices and procedures to be performed and maintained.
ii. List of inputs used in production along with their composition, frequency of
usage, application rate and source of commercial availability.
iii. Source of organic planting material (seeds and seedlings).
iv. Descriptions of monitoring practices and procedures to be performed and
maintained to verify that the plan is being implemented effectively.
v. Description of the management practices and physical barriers established to
prevent commingling and contamination of organic production unit from
conventional farms, split operations and parallel operations.
vi. Description of the record keeping system implemented to comply with the
requirements.
2. Conversion Requirements
The establishment of an organic management system and building of soil fertility requires an
interim period, known as the conversion period. While the conversion period may not always
be of sufficient duration to improve soil fertility and for reestablishing the balance of the
ecosystem, it is the period in which all the actions required to reach these goals are started. A
farm may be converted through a clear plan of how to proceed with the conversion. This plan
shall be updated by the producer, if necessary and shall cover all requirements to be met
under these standards. The requirements prescribed under these standards shall be met during
the conversion period. All these requirements shall be applicable from the commencement of
the conversion period till its conclusion. The start of the conversion period may be calculated
from the date first inspection of the operator by the Certification Body. A full conversion
period shall not be required where de facto requirements prescribed under these standards
have been met for several years and where the same can be verified on the basis of available
documentation. In such cases inspection shall be carried out in reasonable time intervals,
before the first harvest.
3. Duration of conversion period
In case of annual and biennial crops, plant products produced can be certified organic when
the requirements prescribed under these Standards have been met during the conversion
period of at least two (2) years (organic Management) before sowing (the start of the
production cycle). In case of perennial plants other than grassland (excluding pastures and
meadows), the first harvest may be certified as organic after at least thirty six (36) months of
organic management according to the requirements prescribed under these Standards. The
accredited Certification Bodies shall decide in certain cases, for extension or reduction of
conversion period depending on the past status/use of the land and environmental condition.
Twelve months reduction in conversion period could be considered for annuals as well as
perennials provided, documentary proof has been available with the accredited Certification
Body that the requirements prescribed under these Standards have been met for a period of
minimum three (3) years or more. This could include the land that been certified for
minimum three (3) years under the ‘Participatory Guarantee System’ implemented by the
Ministry of Agriculture and wherein, the products approved for use in organic farming as
listed in Annex 1 and 2 of this Appendix have been applied. The accredited Certification
Bodies shall also consider such a reduction in conversion period, if it has satisfactory proof to
demonstrate that for three (3) years or more, the land has been idle and/or it has been treated
with the products approved for use in organic farming as listed Annex 1 and 2 of this
Appendix. Organic products in conversion shall be sold as "produce of organic agriculture in
conversion" or of a similar description, when the requirements prescribed under these
Standards have been met for at least twelve months.
4. Choice of Crops and Varieties
All seeds and plant material shall be certified organic. Species and varieties cultivated shall
be adapted to the soil and climatic conditions and be resistant to pests and diseases. In the
choice of varieties, genetic diversity shall be taken into consideration. When organic seed
and plant materials are available, they shall be used. When certified organic seed and plant
materials are not available, chemically untreated conventional seed and plant material shall
be used. The use of genetically engineered seeds, transgenic plants or plant material is
prohibited.
5. Diversity in Crop Production & Management Plan
The basis for crop production in organic farming shall take into consideration the structure
and fertility of the soil and the surrounding ecosystem, with a view to minimizing nutrient
losses. Where appropriate, the organic farms shall be required to maintain sufficient diversity
in a manner that takes into account pressure from insects, weeds, diseases and other pests,
while maintaining or increasing soil, organic matter, fertility, microbial activity and general
soil health. For non perennial crops, this is normal, but not exclusive, achieved by means of
crop rotation preferably by leguminous crops. Soil fertility shall be maintained through,
among other things, the cultivation of legumes or deep rooted plants and the use of green
manures, along with the establishment of a programme of crop rotation several times a year
and fertilization with organic inputs.
