NEW DELHI: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), a national body responsible for devising standards for various products across different economic sectors, has proposed the development of the National Agriculture Code (NAC). This initiative aims to ensure best farm practices , covering everything from crop selection and land preparation to the storage of agricultural produce.
The standard code will incorporate emerging agricultural technologies and novel farming practices, factoring in the varying regional climatic conditions across India. It will serve as guidance for the farming community. Although standards exist for agricultural machinery, equipment, and inputs (such as fertilisers and pesticides) in the country, the NAC will act as an enabler of quality culture in Indian farm practices .
The code will include specific aspects of standardised practices for sowing, transplanting, irrigation, drainage, soil health management, plant health management, harvesting, threshing, primary processing, post-harvest practices, sustainability, record maintenance, traceability, natural and organic farming, and tech-driven smart agriculture in different agro-climatic zones.
The agriculture code will be developed by a panel of experts in line with other successful codes developed by BIS such as the National Building Code (NBC) and the National Electrical Code (NEC) for construction and electricity, respectively.
"The expert panel is expected to come out with a draft code by October next year. The draft will then be released for stakeholders, including farm experts, to provide comments and suggestions. The final code will be released after incorporating appropriate suggestions," said an ICAR official.
BIS discussed the different aspects of the proposed code at a workshop last month to expedite its development. Representatives from the National Institute of Training for Standardization (NITS), Noida; ICAR institutions; state agricultural universities; and industry associations participated in the workshop. The workshop identified nodal organisations and experts to contribute to the NAC's development.
The standard code will incorporate emerging agricultural technologies and novel farming practices, factoring in the varying regional climatic conditions across India. It will serve as guidance for the farming community. Although standards exist for agricultural machinery, equipment, and inputs (such as fertilisers and pesticides) in the country, the NAC will act as an enabler of quality culture in Indian farm practices .
The code will include specific aspects of standardised practices for sowing, transplanting, irrigation, drainage, soil health management, plant health management, harvesting, threshing, primary processing, post-harvest practices, sustainability, record maintenance, traceability, natural and organic farming, and tech-driven smart agriculture in different agro-climatic zones.
The agriculture code will be developed by a panel of experts in line with other successful codes developed by BIS such as the National Building Code (NBC) and the National Electrical Code (NEC) for construction and electricity, respectively.
"The expert panel is expected to come out with a draft code by October next year. The draft will then be released for stakeholders, including farm experts, to provide comments and suggestions. The final code will be released after incorporating appropriate suggestions," said an ICAR official.
BIS discussed the different aspects of the proposed code at a workshop last month to expedite its development. Representatives from the National Institute of Training for Standardization (NITS), Noida; ICAR institutions; state agricultural universities; and industry associations participated in the workshop. The workshop identified nodal organisations and experts to contribute to the NAC's development.
You may also like
Yoga Tips: If you are troubled by the problem of slip disc, then you will get relief from these four yogasanas
Diabetes: Diabetes during pregnancy is a danger to both mother and child, scientists have found a way to avoid it
At least 70 killed in deadly armed gang attack as thousands flee homes in fear
RG Kar case: Protesting doctors' hunger strike enters 3rd day
