PGS-India vs NPOP, export certification, third party, cost difference.
PGS-India or NPOP certification, which one do I need for export?
AArvind Menon10mo ago · 274 views
5 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓10mo ago
Use NPOP third-party certification if you want to export or supply formal buyers like supermarkets and institutions, and use PGS-India if you sell in the domestic market direct to consumers or local stores. PGS-India is peer-verified, group-based, and nearly free, but its produce can only be traded domestically. NPOP is India's formal third-party system, recognised for exports, but it costs roughly Rs 30,000 to 50,000 per year in certification fees and needs an accredited certification body. Many small farmers start with PGS-India for local premium sales and move to NPOP only when an export or large contract justifies the cost. Confirm current requirements with APEDA and a NPOP-accredited certifier.
TThomas Mathew9mo ago
We stayed on PGS-India for a few years selling locally, then moved to NPOP only when an exporter gave us a firm order. Do not pay for NPOP before you actually have an export buyer; the fee is a real cost.
BBhavna Desai9mo ago
Joining a Farmer Producer Organisation spread the NPOP cost across many of us, which made export certification affordable. Alone it would have been too expensive for my small holding.
KKarthik Subramanian8mo ago
Check which certification your specific buyer or country actually demands before choosing. Some export markets have their own equivalence rules on top of NPOP, so confirm with APEDA and the certifier first.
NNasreen Sayyed7mo ago
Whichever you pick, your records and conversion history carry over and matter. Good field diaries from the PGS days made our NPOP audit smoother when we finally switched.