The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has taken a significant step towards enhancing agricultural practices in India by proposing the development of National Agriculture Code (NAC), which is aimed at addressing diverse challenges faced by the agricultural sectors, ensuring optimal resource utilisation and the integration of modern technologies. This comprehensive code would encompass the entire agriculture cycle, covering crucial aspects such as crop selection, land preparation, and the storage of agricultural produce, thereby standardising agricultural practices nationwide. This code would be similar to the National Building Code and National Electrical Code, which have already been successful.
The NAC is designed to be inclusive, factoring in regional variations and emerging agricultural technologies; thereby, promoting best practices across the agricultural value chain. By fostering a quality culture in farming, the code aims to empower farmers and policymakers alike, ultimately contributing to sustainable development in rural areas. As stakeholders from various sectors convene to collaborate on this ambitious project, the NAC is poised to transform the landscape of Indian agriculture, aligning it with global standards and enhancing its productivity and sustainability.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) serves as the National Standard Body of India, established under the BIS Act of 2016. Its primary mission is to promote the harmonious development of standardisation, marking, and quality certification of goods across the country. BIS plays a crucial role in enhancing the safety and reliability of products; thereby, minimising health hazards for consumers and supporting economic growth. Through its comprehensive approach to standardisation and certification, BIS provides traceability and assurance of quality, which benefits both consumers and industries.
Need for National Agriculture Code
Agriculture plays a crucial role in India’s economy, livelihood, and food security. The sector accounts for around 20 per cent of the country's GDP and employs approximately 50 per cent of the workforce. With most of India’s population living in rural areas, agriculture provides vital income and employment opportunities.
India is a significant contributor to global food security, producing substantial quantities of staple crops like rice, wheat, cotton, and spices. Additionally, agriculture supports India’s industrial sector by supplying raw materials for textiles, food processing, and other industries.
To boost agricultural development, the government has launched initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and crop insurance schemes. These programmes aim to improve farmer livelihoods, increase productivity, and ensure India’s self-sufficiency in food production. The introduction of NAC would set standards across the agriculture cycle.
The National Agriculture Code
BIS has already set standards for machinery and inputs like fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture. However, many areas still remain uncovered by these standards. The need for a comprehensive standards framework in agriculture has been felt for a long time. To address this, BIS is now formulating NAC.
The NAC would cover the entire agriculture cycle. It would also provide guidance for future standardisation.
The code would have two parts. The first part would contain general principles applicable to all crops. The second part would deal with crop-specific standards, which would be created for crops like paddy, wheat, oilseeds, and pulses. The NAC would serve as a guide for farmers, agriculture universities, and officials working in the field.
The NAC would cover various aspects of agriculture including standards for agriculture processes such as crop selection, land preparation, sowing, irrigation, and drainage. Soil health management, plant health management, harvesting, and primary processing would also be included.
The NAC would also set standards for input management. This includes guidelines for the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and weedicides. Additionally, standards for crop storage and traceability would be established.
The code would also address new and emerging areas in agriculture. Natural farming and organic farming would be covered, along with the use of Internet-of-Things (IoT) in agriculture. This comprehensive approach would ensure that all aspects of agriculture are standardised.
Overall, the NAC aims to provide a thorough framework for the agriculture sector, covering processes, input management, storage, and emerging technologies.
Objectives of NAC
The NAC aims to achieve several objectives including:
- It would create a comprehensive national code for agriculture practices, considering factors such as agroclimatic zones, crop types, and socio-economic diversity. This code would provide recommendations for effective agriculture practices.
- It would promote quality culture in Indian agriculture by serving as a reference point for policymakers, agriculture departments, and regulators. It would enable them to incorporate NAC provisions into their schemes, policies, and regulations.
- It would act as a guide for farmers, helping them make informed decisions about agricultural practices.
- It would integrate relevant Indian Standards with recommended agricultural practices.
- Other key objectives include addressing aspects such as smart farming, sustainability, traceability, and documentation. The NAC would support capacity-building programs organised by agriculture extension services and civil society organisations.
Implementation Strategy of BIS
The BIS has developed a strategy to standardise agricultural practices through NAC. To achieve this, BIS has formed working panels for 12-14 identified areas. These panels comprise of university professors and Research and Development organisations, who would be drafting the code.
The tentative deadline for the completion of the NAC is October 2025. The expert panel is planning to first release a draft of NAC. This would give the stakeholders, including farm experts, an opportunity to provide comments and suggestions. The final code would be released after incorporating the feedback. Following this, BIS plans to provide training to farmers on the NAC and its standards.
To facilitate this training, BIS has requested universities to organise programmes for farmers. BIS would provide the necessary financial assistance for these training initiatives.
To speed up the development process, BIS held a workshop in September 2024. Representatives from institutions like the National Institute of Training for Standardisation (NITS), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutions, and state agricultural universities attended the workshop. The workshop has identified nodal organisations and experts to contribute to the development of NAC.
The BIS is also setting up ‘Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms’ (SADFs) in selected agriculture institutes across India. These farms would serve as experimental sites for testing and implementing various agricultural practices and new technologies in accordance with Indian Standards. This initiative aims to promote standardised agricultural practices and enhance agricultural productivity.
The BIS has planned to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 10 prominent agricultural institutes for the development of SADFs. Two MoUs have already been signed, including one with Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT).
The BIS would provide financial assistance to these institutes for setting up the SADFs. These farms would serve as learning centres for officials, farmers, and industry professionals.
According to officials, China has already successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of such SADFs.
Conclusion
The development of the NAC by the BIS represents a transformative initiative aimed at modernising and standardising agricultural practices across India. By engaging a diverse panel of experts, including university professors and research organisations, the BIS has ensured that the NAC addresses the unique challenges and needs of the agricultural sector. With a completion target set for October 2025, this code will not only provide comprehensive guidelines for various farming processes but also promote sustainable practices and enhance productivity.
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