Natural farming is booming; now it may finally get certified

The government is likely to introduce a certification system for natural farming, modeled on the one for organic produce, a senior agriculture ministry official said, in a bid to boost consumer trust and farmer income.

- Vijay C. Roy

This is a significant step for the 1.8 million farmers practicing natural farming across 780,000 hectares in the country, as it will enable them to command premium prices for their chemical and synthetic fertilizer-free products, leading to better and more stable incomes, the official said.

"We are planning to introduce the Natural Farming Certification System (NFCS) across the country soon. It would be non-binding and voluntary for producers," said the official, without giving a specific timeline.