Dr. A.K YadavDr. A.K YadavDirectorDirector

National Centre of Organic FarmingNational Centre of Organic Farming

PGS PGS -- A Farmer A Farmer Empowering ApproachEmpowering Approach

PGS

An Alternative Organic Guarantee System

An effort to make organic certification affordable to farmers

A system aims to convert producersinto entrepreneurs

A system with full transparency empowers consumers with full traceability

What is PGSWhat is PGS

Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) is a quality Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) is a quality

assurance initiative that is locally relevant, assurance initiative that is locally relevant,

emphasize the participation of stakeholders, emphasize the participation of stakeholders, including producers and consumers and operate including producers and consumers and operate

outside the frame of third party certification.outside the frame of third party certification.

As per the definition of IFOAM (2008) "Participatory As per the definition of IFOAM (2008) "Participatory Guarantee Systems are locally focused quality Guarantee Systems are locally focused quality

assurance systems. They certify producers based on assurance systems. They certify producers based on

active participation of stakeholders and are built on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge

exchangeexchange

Guiding Principles for Organic Guiding Principles for Organic

Participatory Guarantee SystemParticipatory Guarantee System

�� ParticipationParticipation

�� Shared VisionShared Vision

�� TransparencyTransparency

�� TrustTrust

�� HorizontalityHorizontality

�� National networkingNational networking

LimitationsLimitations

� Voluntary

� Not applicable on exports

� For domestic local markets

� Applicable only on groups

� Only for Crop production and processing

� Ensures traceability till the product is under group’s

custody

� Off-farm processing/handling allowed only under

group supervision

PGS Standards

PGS is based on National Standards of

Organic Production (NPOP)

Operational StructureOperational Structure

Farmer/ Farm familyFarmer/ Farm family

Farmer groupsFarmer groups

Facilitating agencies (optional)Facilitating agencies (optional)

Regional CouncilsRegional Councils

Zonal Councils (may be on Regional basis)Zonal Councils (may be on Regional basis)

National Centre of Organic Farming National Centre of Organic Farming

As SecretariatAs Secretariat

National Advisory Committee at DACNational Advisory Committee at DAC

Functional UnitsFunctional Units

� Local group – Main functional and decision making

unit

� Regional Council – Surveillance and group’s

decision endorsement

� Zonal council – Coordination, capacity building,

appeal redressal, surveillance

� PGS Secretariat – Custodian of data, Appointment of

RC and ZC, Residue testing, website maintenance

� PGS-NAC – National policy making advisory body

PGSPGS--NACNAC

PGSPGS--NAC being apex policy making body shall be NAC being apex policy making body shall be responsible for:responsible for:

�� Defining, make changes, improvements and amendments to the Defining, make changes, improvements and amendments to the programmeprogramme

�� Selection and Authorization of National and Regional CouncilsSelection and Authorization of National and Regional Councils

�� Surveillance and monitoring on the functioning of National and Surveillance and monitoring on the functioning of National and Regional councilsRegional councils

�� Sanction/ withdrawal of authorization to National/ Regional Sanction/ withdrawal of authorization to National/ Regional councils on being found not functioning or not functioning councils on being found not functioning or not functioning according to the guidelines.according to the guidelines.

NCOF as PGS SecretariatNCOF as PGS Secretariat

�� All executive and secretarial responsibilities All executive and secretarial responsibilities

�� Capacity building, education and outreach activities for Zonal and Capacity building, education and outreach activities for Zonal and Regional councils and trainings to LG leadersRegional councils and trainings to LG leaders

�� Surveillance and monitoring of National and Regional CouncilsSurveillance and monitoring of National and Regional Councils

�� PGS India Website design, hosting and maintenancePGS India Website design, hosting and maintenance

�� Custodian of entire PGS India databaseCustodian of entire PGS India database

�� Receipt and processing of applications for authorization of NAC Receipt and processing of applications for authorization of NAC as National/Regional Councils/ facilitation agenciesas National/Regional Councils/ facilitation agencies

�� Surveillance of PGS products through residue testingSurveillance of PGS products through residue testing

�� Appellate authority for local groups against the actions and Appellate authority for local groups against the actions and decisions of Regional Councilsdecisions of Regional Councils

�� Literature development, publicity, technology dissemination and Literature development, publicity, technology dissemination and awareness creation through print and electronic media. awareness creation through print and electronic media.

Zonal CouncilZonal Council(Regional basis)(Regional basis)

�� Receipt, processing and authenticity verification of application for Receipt, processing and authenticity verification of application for authorization as Regional Council. authorization as Regional Council.

�� Capacity building of Regional councilsCapacity building of Regional councils

�� Surveillance and monitoring Surveillance and monitoring

�� Complaint redressal of farmers and local groups against the Complaint redressal of farmers and local groups against the functioning and actions of Regional councilsfunctioning and actions of Regional councils

�� Appellate authority on complaints of certificate denial by RC or Appellate authority on complaints of certificate denial by RC or sanctions imposed by RC on local groupssanctions imposed by RC on local groups

�� Appellate authority on complaints of traders/ retailers/ consumers Appellate authority on complaints of traders/ retailers/ consumers on the quality/ organic integrity of PGS products of particular on the quality/ organic integrity of PGS products of particular group and action taken or inaction of RC.group and action taken or inaction of RC.

�� Collaborate PGS Secretariat in collection of PGS certified Collaborate PGS Secretariat in collection of PGS certified samples for residue analysissamples for residue analysis

For State Govt Agency RCs, RCOFs shall be the Zonal

Council

Regional CouncilsRegional Councils

�� Regional Council (RC) can ideally be floated by State Regional Council (RC) can ideally be floated by State agencies, existing NGOs, Organic Certification service agencies, existing NGOs, Organic Certification service providers of Central and State Governments or any other providers of Central and State Governments or any other agency having adequate expertise in organic guarantee agency having adequate expertise in organic guarantee system implementation. system implementation.

�� Local groups with three years standing in PGS programme Local groups with three years standing in PGS programme are allowed to form their own RC with support of 10 local are allowed to form their own RC with support of 10 local groups. groups.

�� Local groups dissatisfied with the functioning and control of Local groups dissatisfied with the functioning and control of their existing RC can, any time, cometheir existing RC can, any time, come--together to form a new together to form a new RC, provided they have support of at least 10 local groups RC, provided they have support of at least 10 local groups

�� Existing RCs under NGO PGS will also be considered if they Existing RCs under NGO PGS will also be considered if they apply & meet criteriaapply & meet criteria

Role and Responsibilities of Role and Responsibilities of

RCsRCs�� Training and information support to local groupsTraining and information support to local groups

�� Facilitate local groups in data uploading on PGS Facilitate local groups in data uploading on PGS website, website,

�� Surveillance on LGs through participationSurveillance on LGs through participation

�� Endorsement of LGs certification decisionEndorsement of LGs certification decision

�� Can Can NOT NOT pick pick and and choose choose individual individual farmers farmers to to certify, certify, only only approve /confirms the collective decision approve /confirms the collective decision of of the the Local Local Group Group as as a a whole and organic integrity whole and organic integrity of the system adopted by the local group. of the system adopted by the local group.

�� Issue Issue ID ID number number to to each each approved approved Local Local Group Group (received (received the the instant instant ID ID Pool Pool maintained maintained on PGS on PGS Website).Website).

Local Group (LG)Local Group (LG)

�� Local group is the main functional and decision Local group is the main functional and decision making body making body

�� It is a local group of farmers that live in the same It is a local group of farmers that live in the same village or close villages village or close villages

�� The local group can be an existing organic group The local group can be an existing organic group previously working under third party certification previously working under third party certification system orsystem or

�� a a new new grassroots grassroots groupgroup started started and and run run by by local local farmers/consumers, farmers/consumers, or or it it can can be be started started by by a a NGO NGO or or Government Government agency or self help agency or self help groupgroup

Characteristics of

PGS Local Group

� Non-hierarchical

� Democratic composition

� Leadership to be rotated

� Every member need to participate in peer

review and decision making

� Sharing of knowledge and capacity

building

Requirement and eligibility criteria Requirement and eligibility criteria for a local groupfor a local group

�� A Local group should comprise of minimum 5 farmers A Local group should comprise of minimum 5 farmers (no upper limit) belonging to close by villages with (no upper limit) belonging to close by villages with continuous territory. continuous territory.

�� At least few members of the group shall be well versed At least few members of the group shall be well versed with the PGS organic guarantee systems and National with the PGS organic guarantee systems and National Standards of Organic Production (NPOP).Standards of Organic Production (NPOP).

�� Or at least few members have undergone training on Or at least few members have undergone training on PGS guarantee system PGS guarantee system

�� All the members in the group have signed the PGS All the members in the group have signed the PGS pledge pledge

�� Although, there is no restriction on the size of holding Although, there is no restriction on the size of holding of any individual farmer but in any case the holding of of any individual farmer but in any case the holding of one single member should not exceed one third of the one single member should not exceed one third of the total land under the group.total land under the group.

Requirement and eligibility Requirement and eligibility

criteria for a local groupcriteria for a local group�� Under PGS organic guarantee system parallel production Under PGS organic guarantee system parallel production

and part conversion is not allowed, therefore all group and part conversion is not allowed, therefore all group members need to bring their entire farm with livestock under members need to bring their entire farm with livestock under organic management as per the PGS standards within organic management as per the PGS standards within maximum of 24 months. maximum of 24 months.

�� RC need to ensure full conversion before granting RC need to ensure full conversion before granting certification approvalcertification approval

�� Have access to PGS documents and preferably have Have access to PGS documents and preferably have access to computer and internetaccess to computer and internet

�� Registered with Concerned Regional Council and have Registered with Concerned Regional Council and have obtained necessary user ID and password to upload data obtained necessary user ID and password to upload data on PGS website.on PGS website.

�� In case if farmer group is unable to operate onIn case if farmer group is unable to operate on--line system line system of data up loading then the services can be availed from of data up loading then the services can be availed from Regional Council or of any other facilitating agency or local Regional Council or of any other facilitating agency or local NGO etc.NGO etc.

PGS Certification processPGS Certification process(At Local Group Level)(At Local Group Level)

� Willing Farmers make group

� Pledge to follow organic

� Sign pledge and agreement

� Follow standards

� Obtain endorsement from other group

� Register with Regional Council

� Peer review

� Certification decision

� Submission of LG summary sheet to RC for approval

PGS Certification processPGS Certification process(At Regional Council Level)(At Regional Council Level)

� Receive application of groups

� Check, grant registration

� Provide all documents

� Participate in group meetings, surveillance, peer

review

� Facilitate group in data uploading on web site

� Receive summary sheet, check

� Approve or not approve certification decision

� RC can not decide on individual farm. Can approve

or reject the entire decision of the group

PGS Certification processPGS Certification process(At ZonalCouncil Level)(At ZonalCouncil Level)

� Capacity building of RCs and Groups

� Trainings

� Surveillance

� Appellate authority for groups

� Assist PGS Secretariat in sample collection

� Monitoring of programme operation – online or physical

� Do not interfere in autonomic functioning of Local group and RC

� Even if adverse report is there or residue testing turns positive. Report placed on website and communicated to RC. Action to be taken by RC and group

Endorsement of Certification Endorsement of Certification

decision by RCdecision by RC

�� On getting the LG summary Sheet, check for details. If On getting the LG summary Sheet, check for details. If

all requirements are met and no adverse report then all requirements are met and no adverse report then

endorse the decision and issue UID Codeendorse the decision and issue UID Code

�� RC can not decide on individual farmers but can either RC can not decide on individual farmers but can either

approve or notapprove or not--approve the decision of the groupapprove the decision of the group

�� In case of denial communicate in writing with reasons In case of denial communicate in writing with reasons

and justificationand justification

Time limitation for decisionTime limitation for decision

�� RC need to convey the decision in 15 days.RC need to convey the decision in 15 days.

�� Failing LG can approach ZC for decisionFailing LG can approach ZC for decision

�� ZC need to decide in 7 daysZC need to decide in 7 days

�� Failing LG can appeal to PGS secretariatFailing LG can appeal to PGS secretariat

�� NonNon--adherence of time by RC or ZC is major adherence of time by RC or ZC is major nonnon--compliancecompliance

Grant of Logo and unique Grant of Logo and unique certificate ID codecertificate ID code

On getting the certification approval from the Regional On getting the certification approval from the Regional

Council Local Group can print individual certificates from Council Local Group can print individual certificates from

PGS website and can use the PGS logo on packets or PGS website and can use the PGS logo on packets or

containers of PGS certified products. Individual farmer containers of PGS certified products. Individual farmer

certificate will have a unique ID code, identifying the RC, certificate will have a unique ID code, identifying the RC,

Local Group and the farmer. Each certificate will also list Local Group and the farmer. Each certificate will also list

out the products certified during the year and the out the products certified during the year and the

expected quantity produced.expected quantity produced.

The validity of Certificate is for 12 months. On receipt of The validity of Certificate is for 12 months. On receipt of

next LG summary sheet the validity is increased furthernext LG summary sheet the validity is increased further

Certification of onCertification of on--farm/offfarm/off--farm farm processing at hired facilitiesprocessing at hired facilities

�� Allowed only for direct produce of the groupAllowed only for direct produce of the group

�� NonNon--agricultural ingredients, agricultural ingredients, extractantsextractants, some , some spices in small quantities, salt, water etc can be spices in small quantities, salt, water etc can be used from out sideused from out side

�� PGS processing standards to be followedPGS processing standards to be followed

�� Many groups can join together and form Many groups can join together and form federation. federation.

�� Processing by PGSProcessing by PGS--group federation needs group federation needs separate registration and approval by RCseparate registration and approval by RC

Separate logo for PGS organic and Separate logo for PGS organic and PGS under conversion statusPGS under conversion status

Two separate logos are proposed for PGS Two separate logos are proposed for PGS

organic and PGS under conversion as organic and PGS under conversion as

follows:follows:

�� PGS Organic PGS Organic Certified organic Certified organic

�� PGS Green PGS Green Grown without Grown without

chemicals organic chemicals organic

inin--conversionconversion

PGS Logos

UID Code – Each logo shall be provided with a

unique identification code No. Consumers can access all related information from PGS Website

Autonomous decision making

• Decision making is restricted to Local Group

• Regional council can not dictate or interfere in

functioning of group

• It can only approve or disprove the LGs decision

as a whole

• Zonal councils and PGS secretariat can not interfere in autonomic functioning of RC and LGs

• Even if some non-compliances are found or

residue test turns out to be positive, it will be

informed to RC and LG for action and report to be placed on website

Transparency in PGS

� Entire information shall be on a website in

public domain

� Consumers can access all traceability

records from website

� Random residue testing strengthens trust

PGS Empower Farmers

PGS being farmer group centric,

ensures that:

� Farmers own the system

� Operate it

� Make decisions

� Build each others capacity

� Provides opportunity for leadership

Link producers with trade

As PGS traceability is restricted up to the

custody of group, it emphasize that the

farmers:

� Under take all processing

� Packaging

� Direct marketing

� Even provides scope for direct selling

� Eliminates middleman

Future Prospects

� PGS being low cost and locally relevant

ideal for domestic trade

� Capacity built in PGS can help in future

shift to TPC without the need for

separate ICS

� PGS will strengthen organic movement

� Being trust based and transparent

better suited to organic philosophy