Organic Farming : Standards, Accreditation, Certification and Inspection

Contents: Preface. I. Introduction to organic agriculture: 1. Organic agriculture: an overview. 2. Why organic farming? 3. Organic farming verses conventional farming. 4. Organic farming tactics. 5. How to convert to organic farming? 6. Principles of organic farming. 8. Terminology used in organic farming. II. Standards for organic agriculture: 1. Definition and classification. 2. Countries with a fully implemented, with finalized and with draft regulations with contact details. 4. Countries with a finalized regulation--not yet fully implemented (8) with contact details. 5. Countries in the process of drafting regulation (15) with contact details. 6. Standards: Indian scenario. 7. Key organizations working for promotion of organic agriculture in India. 8. Guidelines of important standards. III. Accreditation and organic agriculture: 1. Accreditation: an overview. 2. IFOAM accredited certification bodies. 3. The route to accreditation. 4. Group accreditation. 5. Accreditation: Indian scenario. 6. Accredited inspection / certifying agencies. IV. Certification and inspection in organic agriculture: 1. Certification and inspection: an overview. 2. Group certification. 3. Who must be certified? 4. Key steps to certification. 5. Certification: Indian scenario. 6. Inspection / certification tariffs. 7. Key issues to be addressed for certification. 8. Status of organic certification mark in India. 9. Certification and inspection process: important rules. 10. NPOP guidelines for certification and inspection. V. Global status of organic agriculture: 1. Status of organic agriculture: an overview. 2. Status of organic farming in different countries. 3. Status of organic agriculture: Indian scenario. VI. Global status of market for organic products: 1. Organic product market: an overview. 2. Status of market of organic products in different countries. 3. Market for organic products: Indian scenario. 4. The price premium of organic produce. 5. Promotion and management of organic market. 6. Organic crop insurance (USDA). VII. Challenges before organic agriculture: 1. Organic standards and certification be defended. 2. Genetically modified (GM) crops and contaminations be discouraged. 3. Development of harmonized international standards. 4. Protection of price premium and enhancement of social accountability. 5. Consumer education. 6. Linkage between organic and other labels. References. Annexure-I: NPOP formats. Appendices.