Organic agriculture is a production system that
sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and
people. It relies on ecological processes,
biodiversity and cycles adapted to local
Organic Agriculture (IFOAM)Organic Agriculture (IFOAM)
biodiversity and cycles adapted to local
conditions, rather than the use of inputs with
adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines
tradition, innovation and science to benefit the
shared environment and promote fair
relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.
The term Participatory Guarantee System or PGS
was coined in the year 2004 and now PGS is a
household term in many regions of the world.
Australia, Brazil, India, Kenya, NZ, Peru, Spain,
Participatory Guarantee SystemParticipatory Guarantee System
Australia, Brazil, India, Kenya, NZ, Peru, Spain,
South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, USA. In India the
leading states for number of PGS Local Groups
include Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra…
� International workshop
in Brazil 2004
� Analysed 21 alternativecertifications from
around the world.
PGS PGS –– the ideathe idea
around the world.
� Identified the common
elements
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Supported by many funding organizations who are working on
development issues – HIVOS, SNF, Misereor
� There was a felt need for “organic” certification that was farmer controlled and farmer friendly in operation.
� PGS Certification process is:
� In the language of the farmer, given India‘s linguistic diversity
� Based on Peer Appraisal, not on third party inspection regime.
� Use of the produce for local consumption, not for export.
PGS in IndiaPGS in India-- Background Background
� Use of the produce for local consumption, not for export.
Why did PGS take off to a flying start?
� A new decentralized paradigm in which the small and marginal farmers can participate in the certification process for local markets
� Free from the frustrating third party certification options which are
too expensive, controlled by big business, and inappropriate in a
local context.
� Farmer learning and empowerment
� Facilitates development of local markets
� Encourages community building, supports local
What motivated them?What motivated them?
� Encourages community building, supports local
economies and builds social capital
� Reduces costs but induces volunteer involvement
� Revives organic agriculture
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Participatory Guarantee Systems are locally
focused quality assurance systems. They certify
producers based on active participation of
What is PGS?What is PGS?
producers based on active participation of
stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange.
1. Shared vision
2. Participatory
3. Transparency
4. Trust
5. Learning process
6. Horizontality
Key Elements of PGSKey Elements of PGS
Participation means Participation means T.E.A.MT.E.A.M..Together Everyone Achieves MoreTogether Everyone Achieves More
� Shaping the vision
� Designing the systems and structures
Participation in all aspectsParticipation in all aspects
� Testing and implementing
� Peer review
� Decision making
The idea of ‘trust’ assumes that the individual producer
has a conscience and a commitment to protecting
nature through organic production.
When do you trust someone
TrustTrust
When do you trust someone
�Believe in
�Rely on
�Depend on
�Have confidence in
�Be sure about
� Share common ideals
� Respect & value similar things
Short market chains. No long hauls Short market chains. No long hauls of inputs or produce.of inputs or produce.
� Norms conceived by the stakeholders and recorded
� Grassroots organization – Local Groups
� Suitable to smallholder agriculture, the norm in India
� Principles and values that enhance livelihoods and promote
organic agriculture.
Key Features of PGSKey Features of PGS
organic agriculture.
� Documented management systems and procedures
� Mechanisms to verify farmer’s compliance
� Mechanisms for supporting farmers
� Farmer’s pledge – commitment to comply
� Standard labels
� Clear and previously defined consequences
The PGS Organic India Council meets periodically to
review the progress and take corrective measures,
where necessary.
�Works towards development of PGS in India
PGS Organic India CouncilPGS Organic India Council
�Works towards development of PGS in India
�Assists policy makers to formulate organic farming
policies and to encourage recognition of PGS in the
respective states.
�Supports and provides a platform for sharing
experiences and tools for existing and emerging PGS
Program.
� Institute of Integrated Rural Development
� Organic Farming Association of India
� Keystone Foundation
� Deccan Development Society
PGSOIC Regional CouncilsPGSOIC Regional Councils
� Deccan Development Society
� Chetna Vikas
� Institute of Himalayan Environ. Res. & Edu.
� Timbuktu Collective
� Covenant Centre for Development
� Thanal
� Basic Standards of Organic Farming
� Comprehensive Farmer’s Pledge
� PGS Guidelines Document in English, Hindi, Telugu,
Marathi, Kannada and Malayalam published. Tamil
Documents
OFAI PGS DocumentationOFAI PGS Documentation
�
Marathi, Kannada and Malayalam published. Tamil
version ready for printing.
� Frequently Asked Questions in brochure form
� Reporting formats for Local Groups
� Website Platform www.ofai.org
� Quarterly newsletter in English and Hindi
� Constant email contact
� Telephonic interaction where email services are
not available
Trouble ShootingTrouble Shooting
� Training programs
� Conventions, Workshops, Seminars
� Support for new initiatives like harmonizing
shifting cultivation [ jhum ] with PGS in N.E. India
a) Institutional building
OFAI was founded in 2003 and registered in 2006 with
three fold objectives:
OFAI Participatory OFAI Participatory Guarantee Scheme [PGS] Guarantee Scheme [PGS]
a) Institutional building
b) Association-related activities
c) Outreach programs for the
promotion of organic farming
among special interest groups
including small and marginal
farmers and tribal communities.
The Local Group [LG] consists of FIVE or more Organic
Farmers who participate in helping each other to become,
and remain, totally compliant with the 15 point Basic
Local Group under PGSLocal Group under PGS
and remain, totally compliant with the 15 point Basic
Organic Standards stipulated in the OLS-PGS booklet.
Individual farmers, SHGs, NGOs and other organizations
can volunteer to become a LG. The guarantee that the
product is organic is subject to group participation in
maintaining the trust behind the pledge.
OFAI PGS Local GroupsOFAI PGS Local Groups
� A] Kerala: INFACT
� Total number of groups: 01
� Total Members: 10
� B] Uttar Pradesh: VSK-UP
� Total number of groups: 01� Total number of groups: 01
� Total Members: 11
� C] Maharashtra: MOFF
� Total number of groups: 21
� Total Members: 129
� D] DDS with 42 Local Groups and 210members in Andhra Pradesh is also a part of the OFAI family.
� Initially, Keystone Foundation, Institute of
Integrated Rural Development and others had
participatory systems of their own, with
indigenous communities and traditional and forest
produce
� Consultations held in 2006 to build up a unified
PGS Organic India Council PGS Organic India Council
� Consultations held in 2006 to build up a unified
participatory process by networking nine NGOs
across India
� OFAI takes responsibility to network smaller NGO
across India and link them to PGSOIC
� Produce sold through a network of like minded
organizations & “Green Shops”
� Indigenous knowledge systems and crops
promoted.
+ Stronger relations between
producer-consumer
+ Access for small producers to
quality assurance systems
- High degree of dedication
needed from stakeholders
- Long term process for
capacity building
Strengths & WeaknessesStrengths & Weaknesses
quality assurance systems
+ Stimulates local development
based on local culture
+ Ownership and responsibility
+ Low direct costs
+ Less bureaucracy
capacity building
- Lack of formal recognition
- Complex social organization
- A lot of voluntary work, high
indirect costs
Local Group = Farmers (and other stakeholders) in same village:
• Local contact point for organics and PGS
Role of Local GroupRole of Local Group
• Local contact point for organics and PGS
• Coordinate the on-farm peer review of each farm (annually)
• Local support network for members
• Collate farmer members' pledges
• Report on area, crops, etc. annually
• Decision on certification
• Take action on fraud/non-compliance
www.ifoam.org
� www.pgsorganic.in
� www.ofai.org
� www.ddsindia.com
� www. iird.org.in
India PGS Websites
Sources of InformationSources of Information
� www. iird.org.in
� www.chetanavikas.org
� www.keystone-foundation.org
� www.timbaktu.org
� www.inhereindia.org
� www.ccd.org.in
� www.thanal.org