Large Area Certification
2021 MAY 12
Preliminary >
Agriculture > Miscellaneous > State government schemes
Why in news?
- Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched a quick certification programme called “Large Area Certification” (LAC) to harness organic farming.
About the scheme:
- It has been launched by Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare under its flagship scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY).
- It is a unique quick certification programme to harness the potential of organic farming in selected areas.
Problem of current certification scheme:
- As per the established norm of organic production systems, the areas having chemical input usage history are required to undergo a transition period of minimum 2-3 years to qualify as organic.
- During this period, farmers need to adopt standard organic agriculture practices and keep their farms under the certification process.
- On successful completion, such farms can be certified as organic after 2-3 years.
- The certification process also requires elaborate documentation and time to time verification by the certification authorities.
Problem of Large area certification scheme:
- Under LAC, requirements are simple, and the area can be certified almost immediately.
- LAC is a Quick certification process that is cost-effective and farmers do not have to wait for 2-3 years for marketing PGS organic certified products.
- Under LAC, each village in the area is considered as one cluster/group.
- Documentations are simple and maintained village-wise.
- All farmers with their farmland and livestock need to adhere to the standard requirements and on being verified get certified en-mass without the need to go under conversion period.
- Certification is renewed on annual basis through annual verification by a process of peer appraisals as per the process of PGS-India.
Prelims Question
Consider the following statements regarding Large Area Certification scheme:
1.It aims to encourage apiculture in the country.
2.It has been formulated by Department of Agriculture.
Which of these statements are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2
Answer to prelims question