I farm organically and sell locally. Is the cost and paperwork of full NPOP certification justified for the Indian market, or is PGS enough?
For the domestic market, full third party NPOP certification is often more than a small farmer needs, and the lower cost PGS India group certification is usually enough to sell organic produce within India and even to many organic retailers. NPOP is the route required mainly for exports and for some large organic buyers and brands, and it involves higher cost and more documentation, which suits larger producers or groups targeting export. PGS works through local farmer groups with peer verification, costs little, and gives a recognised organic claim for domestic sales. So if you sell within India to local consumers, stores or through a group, start with PGS; pursue NPOP only when you plan to export or supply a buyer who specifically demands it. Confirm current PGS and NPOP procedures and costs before deciding.
For my local and city sales PGS was enough and far cheaper. A friend who wanted to export went for NPOP because his buyer required it. Match the certification to where you actually sell.
NPOP makes sense mainly for exports or a large buyer who specifically requires it, since it costs more and needs heavy documentation. For a small farmer selling domestically, start with PGS through a local group and move to NPOP only when your market needs it. Confirm current costs and procedures first.
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