What is National Agriculture Code?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is developing a new set of guidelines called the National Agriculture Code (NAC). This is similar to the existing national codes used for buildings and electrical systems, but specifically for agriculture. The goal is to create a set of standards that can help improve the quality and efficiency of farming practices in India, which currently lack detailed regulations.
Understanding NAC
The NAC is a plan to create rules and guidelines that will cover various agricultural practices across the country. These guidelines will aim to standardize farming methods to ensure that they are efficient, safe, and of high quality. This is important because, while there are already standards for things like farming machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides, many other areas of farming do not have clear rules.
Why is the NAC needed?
Although the BIS has already set standards for specific items like machinery and fertilizers, many other parts of farming do not follow a standard process. These areas include:
- Land preparation (getting the field ready for planting)
- Irrigation (how water is used for crops)
- Sustainable farming practices
This lack of clear rules is a problem that policymakers have recognized for a long time. They believe that having a strong framework like the NAC will help make farming more organized and efficient.
What will the NAC cover?
The NAC will focus on:
Agricultural Processes: This includes choosing the right crops, preparing the land, planting, watering, and harvesting.
Post-Harvest Operations: Once crops are harvested, the NAC will provide guidelines for things like initial processing, storing the produce, and making sure everything can be traced back to its source.
Input Management: This covers the standards for using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and promoting organic farming.
New Farming Methods: The NAC will also include modern technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) for farming and sustainable farming methods.
What are the objectives of the NAC?
The NAC has several main goals:
- Create a national framework to guide various farming methods across India.
- Promote a culture of quality in Indian agriculture that policymakers and regulators can follow.
- Act as a guide for farmers to help them make better decisions in their farming practices.
- Encourage the use of modern agricultural techniques, including smart farming and sustainability initiatives.
When will the NAC be ready?
The BIS is working on drafting the NAC, and the goal is to finish it by October 2025. Once it’s ready, farmers will be trained to understand and apply the new standards in their everyday work.
What are Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF)?
To help test and promote the NAC, the BIS is also setting up Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF). These farms will be created with the help of major agricultural institutes and will serve as experimental sites. Farmers and others in the agricultural industry will be able to learn hands-on from these farms, where they can see the standardized practices in action and understand how to apply them in their fields.
