JKTPO and Invest India (DPIIT) organised Organic Certification program for Pulwama Saffron Growers under ODOP initiative
Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion
Organisation (JKTPO) organised the National
Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) Awareness Drive for organic
certification of Saffron, GI tagged and ODOP products of Pulwama District in
collaboration with Invest India (One District
One Product) team, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry at Sanat
Ghar Bemina Srinagar J&K. The workshop was organised with the vision to provide training and certification
to farmers who are already pursuing organic farming but don’t have the
necessary certification for their products’ authenticity.
JKTPO has taken many initiatives for promotion of ODOP in Jammu and Kashmir.
This includes conduction of Buyer Seller meets, participation in national and
international trade fairs/ Exhibitions and Capacity building programs. This
drive will increase the export potential of saffron as organic certified
products have huge international market.
As a part of the capacity building initiative
by ODOP Team, Invest India, DPIIT, GoI, Organic Certification training and
workshop for Saffron farmers, as many such workshops to be conducted across the
country where the farmers will be provided the training for organic
certification and eligible farmers will be registered under National Programme
on Organic Production.
National Programme for Organic Production
(NPOP) under Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India
involves accreditation of Certification Bodies, standards for organic
production, promotion of organic farming and marketing etc. The NPOP standards
for production and accreditation system have been recognized by European
Commission and Switzerland for unprocessed plant products as equivalent to
their country standards. With these recognitions, Indian organic products duly
certified by the accredited certification bodies of India are accepted by the
importing countries.
On this occasion, District Agriculture Officer,
Pulwama, said – Organic certificate of Saffron will boost the demand of saffron
internationally and will also help in doubling the farmer’s income and fulfilling
the dream of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
The drive was led by Mr. Jagannath
representative from Aditi Organic certifications Pvt Ltd. It is worthwhile to
mention that 100+ farmers from Pulwama district were onboarded during this
program and were given the necessary training and guidance for obtaining Organic
Certification.
JKTPO
in collaboration with Invest India will organise similar organic certification
drive of Kishtwar Saffron at Kishtwar soon, for the benefit of Saffron farmers