The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has begun working on a National Agriculture Code (NAC), similar to the National Building Code and National Electrical Code.
About National Agriculture Code (NAC)
- A comprehensive code of standards for various agricultural practices.
- Developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
- NAC will cover the entire agriculture cycle and provide guidance for future standards, with two parts:
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- The BIS is the national body that sets standards for agriculture machinery and inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.
- Establishment: 1986
- Headquarter: Manak Bhawan, Old Delhi
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- General principles for all crops.
- Crop-specific standards for crops like paddy, wheat, oilseeds, and pulses.
- It will serve as a guide for farmers, agriculture universities, and field officials.
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Key Features of the NAC
- Covers all aspects of agriculture, including crop selection, land preparation, irrigation, soil health, plant health, harvesting, processing, storage, and sustainability.
- Includes standards for input management, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides.
- Addresses emerging areas like natural farming, organic farming, and IoT.
- Provides guidance for farmers, agriculture universities, and officials.
Objectives of the National Agriculture Code (NAC)
- Provide Clear Recommendations: Create a national code with guidelines for farming practices, considering different climate zones, crop types, and the country’s diverse farming conditions.
- Encourage Quality in Farming: Help policymakers, agriculture departments, and regulators include NAC standards in their schemes, policies, and regulations to improve quality in Indian agriculture.
- Guide for Farmers: Offer a simple guide to help farmers make better decisions in their farming activities.
- Combine Existing Standards: Link existing Indian standards with recommended farming practices to ensure they work together smoothly.
- Focus on Modern Farming: Cover modern topics like SMART farming, sustainability, traceability, and keeping records to support efficient and eco-friendly farming.
- Support Learning and Training: Help agriculture extension services and organizations run training programs to teach farmers and spread better farming practices.
Timeline for NAC
- BIS has formed working panels for specific areas, including university professors and R&D organizations.
- BIS plans to train farmers on NAC standards, with universities organizing training programs.
- The tentative deadline for the NAC is set for October 2025.
- BIS has initiated the development of Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADFs) in selected agricultural institutes.
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What is Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF)?
- SADFs are experimental sites to test and implement agriculture practices and new technologies based on Indian Standards.
- BIS plans to collaborate with agricultural institutes through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to develop these farms.
- 10 prominent agriculture institutes have been identified, with two MoUs already signed, including one with GBPUAT in Pantnagar.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- BIS is the official body responsible for setting standards in India.
- Formation: It was formed under the BIS Act of 2016 to oversee and ensure uniformity in standards.
- Main Functions: BIS focuses on standardization, marking, and quality certification of products.
- Purpose: The goal is to promote consistent quality in goods and related activities across the country.
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October 7, 2024
