Organic tag for textiles, Ayush goods
New Delhi, Nov. 7: To boost export of organic products, the government plans to extend its existing certification to textile, cosmetics and ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, unani, sidha and homeopathy (Ayush) products, agri-export promotion body Apeda Chairman Paban K. Borthakur said on Thursday. At present, organic foods are certified through the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) under the Commerce Ministry and the Participatory Guarantee System for India of the Agriculture Ministry.
“NPOP, launched in 2001, is the world's largest organic certification programme. As a step further, NPOP now proposes to enter into organic Ayush products, organic textiles and organic cosmetics,” Borthakur said after inaugurating the global trade fair on organic products ‘Biofach India’ in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Since 2006, the NPOP has been recognised by the European Union and Switzerland. India has a similar agreement with the
US, he said.
As a result of these agreements, Indian organic products are being exported to these countries without the need for re-certification, he said. Noting the NPOP has laid the foundation of organic movement in the country, the Apeda chairman said it has played a key role over the years to establish the credibility of India's organic sector in national and international trade. “NPOP now spans over the entire organic agriculture production scenario
NPOP spans over the entire organic agri production scenario and is offering certification for practically all possible activity
and is offering certification services for practically all possible activity starting from crops, livestock, aquaculture, processing and niche segments like mushrooms and sea weeds,” he said.
In order to further boost export of organic products from the country, Borthakur said the Apeda is targeting to get the recognition for India’s NPOP from many more countries including Canada, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
Compared to international trade of about $97 billion, Indian market seems to be very small, but it is growing very fast, he said.