Previous Year Question
With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements:
The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic State.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 and 2
2 and 3
Only 3
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
The National Programme for Organic Production, or NPOP, was launched in the year 2001.
NPOP provides a system related to organic production, promotion of organic farming, accreditation of certification bodies and marketing of organic products.
NPOP is not operated under the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
It is operated under the Department of Commerce of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, or APEDA, functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
APEDA was established under the APEDA Act, 1985.
APEDA plays an important role in the system related to the accreditation of certification bodies for organic products.
Standards for organic production, the certification process and the accreditation system have been prescribed under NPOP.
Its objective is also to provide certified organic products in conformity with the prescribed standards.
Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.
Sikkim converted its entire cultivable land to certified organic farming.
In January 2016, Sikkim was declared India’s first fully organic State.
The use of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides was phased out in the State.