NPOP: How India Certifies Organic Farming and Why It Matters

In light of a recent press briefing by an opposition leader, several unfounded, misleading, and unverified allegations were made regarding India’s Organic Certification Programme—specifically under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). These claims have wrongly suggested that organic certification is concentrated only in Madhya Pradesh, limited to cotton, and involves financial subsidies that do not actually exist.

Such generalized accusations aimed at discrediting a well-established and internationally recognized regulatory system not only undermine public confidence, but also harm the broader organic farming movement in India, which empowers nearly 2 million farmers across the country.

In this regard, the following clarification aims to set the record straight, present the true structure and status of NPOP, and highlight the actions taken to maintain the integrity and transparency of organic certification in India.

What is the NPOP?

To institutionalize and regulate organic farming in the country, the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) was launched in 2001 by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Its key objectives include:

• Establishing standards for organic production,

• Creating a credible certification system, and

• Facilitating the export of Indian organic agricultural products.

The programme is implemented by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which functions as the Secretariat for NPOP. APEDA oversees the system’s implementation, policy coordination, and liaises with Certification Bodies (CBs) to maintain quality and compliance.

Grower Group Certification (GGC) for Small Farmers

In 2005, recognizing the difficulties faced by small and marginal farmers—particularly the costs and complexity of individual certification—the Grower Group Certification (GGC) system was introduced.

This system allows a group of farmers to be certified collectively rather than individually. It reduces financial and administrative burdens and ensures wider participation in organic certification, especially in rural and economically weaker regions.

How Organic Certification Works Under NPOP

The NPOP is built on a third-party certification model. This means that independent Certification Bodies (CBs)—either government-authorized or private—are responsible for ensuring that organic production and processes meet established NPOP standards.

• Certification Body (CB): An accredited organization that inspects and certifies producers and processors to verify adherence to organic standards.

At present, 37 Certification Bodies operate under NPOP, including 14 State Certification Bodies. These CBs are closely monitored by APEDA to ensure compliance and transparency across the certification chain.

Internal Control System (ICS): The Core of Group Certification

For grower groups certified under GGC, an Internal Control System (ICS) is mandatory. The ICS acts as an internal monitoring mechanism and can be:

• Self-managed by the grower group, or

• Managed by a mandator/service provider.

The Inspection Process under ICS includes:

• Internal inspections of each farmer at least twice a year,

• Annual audits by the Certification Body, covering both:

  • Office audits, and

  • Field-level inspections, based on a sampling plan that considers risk, farm size, and number of farmers,

• Additional inspections, if deemed necessary, based on risk assessment.

Monitoring by NAB and APEDA

To strengthen the certification ecosystem, a third level of oversight is conducted by the National Accreditation Body (NAB), with support from APEDA.

This involves:

• Unannounced audits of operators and grower groups,

• Evaluation by committees constituted by NAB, and

• Investigations based on complaints or high-risk assessments.

This layered monitoring ensures that the system remains accountable and reliable.

Global Recognition of NPOP Standards

India’s organic standards under NPOP are not only nationally credible but also internationally recognized, which has strengthened India's position in global organic markets. Notably:

• NPOP standards are deemed equivalent to those of the European Commission and Switzerland,

• They are accepted by Great Britain, and

• India has a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products with Taiwan.

This recognition simplifies the process of exporting Indian organic produce to these markets.

Geographic and Crop Diversity

Contrary to certain claims suggesting organic certification is limited to Madhya Pradesh or only focused on cotton, the actual data underlines a much broader and more diverse picture.

As of 19th July 2025:

• 4,712 active organic grower groups

• Covering around 19,29,243 certified farmers

• Operating across 31 States and Union Territories

• Growing a diverse range of crops, including:

  • Cereals, pulses, oilseeds

  • Tea, coffee, spices

  • And cotton

Therefore, the idea that India’s organic efforts are focused only on cotton in one region is factually incorrect and misleading.

Clarification on Organic Cotton Certification

The NPOP covers cotton only up to the production level (i.e., farming).

• Post-production processes such as ginning, spinning, and textile manufacturing fall under private certification systems, not the NPOP framework.

This separation ensures proper specialization and oversight for each stage of the organic cotton value chain.

No Subsidy Under NPOP

Another major misconception is that farmers receive financial subsidies under NPOP.

In reality:

• Neither APEDA nor the Department of Commerce provides any subsidy for organic cultivation under NPOP.

• The figure of Rs. 50,000 per hectare, and subsequent estimates mentioned in the press, are completely baseless and without any official source.

Such claims can mislead farmers and stakeholders, and undermine the credibility of the certification process.

Addressing Misuse and Strengthening Controls

Despite a robust system, some cases of malpractice and misuse—particularly in Grower Group Certification—have come to light. This is not unique to India; such challenges exist in regulatory systems worldwide.

In response, several corrective actions have been taken:

1. Strict disciplinary action against Certification Bodies found involved in:

   • Willful violations, or

   • Major non-conformities.

2. Revised NPOP regulations that now mandate:

   • All grower groups must be registered legal entities,

   • ICS offices must be located within or near the farming area,

   • Mobile app-based inspections to ensure real-time field-level oversight.

3. Special procedures for certifying organic cotton:

   • Implementing zone-specific certification limits for better monitoring.

4. A significant increase in unannounced inspections, ensuring transparency and reducing the chances of fraud.

5. Penalties imposed on non-compliant grower groups and defaulting Certification Bodies, reinforcing accountability.

The recent political statements alleging irregularities in India’s organic certification system are factually incorrect, misleading, and unsubstantiated.

Such statements:

• Undermine the credibility of India’s internationally recognized organic regulatory framework,

• Disrespect the commitment of lakhs of organic farmers working across the country, and

• Distract from the significant progress made under NPOP in promoting sustainable, inclusive, and export-ready organic farming.

The NPOP remains a globally acknowledged, multi-tiered, and evolving system that ensures India’s organic produce meets both domestic and international standards—backed by data, transparency, and continuous reform.

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