APEDA to Extend NPOP to Organic Textiles, Cosmetics, Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy

Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) - a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India will be extending the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), the certification services program to organic textiles, Cosmetics and Ayurveda, Yoga,& Naturopathy , Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) products to further boost organic products exports from the country.

“National Programme for Organic Production launched in 2001  is world’s largest organic certification programme. As a step further NPOP now proposes to enter into organic AYUSH  products, organic textiles and organic cosmetics. Since 2006, NPOP enjoys equivalence with European Union and Switzerland and has recognition agreement with USA. As a result of these agreements Indian organic products are being exported to these countries without the need for recertification.” said Paban K Borthakur, chairman, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) while inaugurating the Biofach India 2019 India’s largest international trade fair of organic products in Greater Noida.

“NPOP has laid the foundation of organic movement in the country and played a key role over the years to establish the credibility of India organic sector in the national and international trade, NPOP now spans over the entire organic agriculture production scenario and is offering certification services for practically all possible activity starting from crops, livestock, aquaculture, processing and niche segments like mushrooms and sea weeds “said Borthakur.

“APEDA in its effort to further boost export of organic products from the country is going in for widening the equivalence with reciprocity, many more countries including  Canada, Japan, Korea and Taiwan are being targeted. "Equivalency recognition" means, the official recognition of the foreign country, organic regulation and standards as equivalent to National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) of India based on the principle of reciprocity subject to verification of the relevant program” said Borthakur.

Biofach India is the largest event of organic agriculture and organic food sector of India having the presence of entire organic agriculture and food fraternity from across the country is being organized jointly by the NurnbergMesse India and Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) a statutory body under Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.

He said, “More than 6000 delegates  comprising of Exporters, processors, retail chain industry, certification bodies and producers from India and abroad are  participating in the Biofach 2019, the trade Fair-cum-Exhibition to discuss and have first-hand feel of the Indian organic products including tea, spices, honey, basmati rice, coffee, cereals, dry fruits, vegetables, processed foods and medicinal plant”

“The demand for organic Agri products is on constant increase world wide as Organic products are grown under a system of agriculture without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. As on 31st March 2019, total area under organic certification process (registered under National Programme for Organic Production) was 3.56 million Hectare. This includes 1.94 million ha cultivable area and another 1.49 million Hectare for wild harvest collection. Among all the states, Madhya Pradesh has covered largest area under organic certification followed by Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. During 2016, Sikkim had achieved a remarkable distinction of converting its entire cultivable land (more than 76000 ha) under organic certification” the Chairman said.

“India produced around 2.67  million MT (2018-19) of certified organic products which includes all varieties of food products namely Oil Seeds, Sugar cane, Cereals & Millets, Cotton, Pulses, Medicinal Plants, Tea, Fruits, Spices, Dry Fruits, Vegetables, Coffee etc. The production is not limited to the edible sector but also produces organic cotton fiber and functional food products” he added.

 “With all these strengths and capabilities India is now ready to be the basket for organic food, ingredients and processed products for the world", he said.