The Indo-German Cooperation on Agricultural Market Development (AMD) project conducted a technical dialogue on 03rd May 2024 at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi under the chairmanship of Shri Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, IAS, Additional Secretary (Marketing) Govt. of India, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. Mr. Alfons Urlings, Team Leader of the AMD project, welcomed the Indian and German sides participants. The technical dialogue was conducted in hybrid mode. Mr Alfons provided a concise overview of the technical dialogue agenda.
The technical dialogue was based on the recent study conducted by the Indo-German AMD project –“Navigating Challenges in Indian Organic Certification for a Sustainable Future” from the Indian and German perspectives. The study aimed to assess the current status of organic farming in India and Germany, analyzed the regulatory framework, certification requirements, procedures, and obstacles, and offered recommendations for the implementation of the certification process in India.
During the technical dialogue following participants made presentations:
Mr. Thomas Zebunke from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Germany, provided a comprehensive overview of organic production in Germany and organic strategy for the year 2030. Ms Sibylle Stahr-Sedaghat, from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE), Germany discussed about the regulatory framework related to organic certification system. Detailed presentations were also made by Ms Shamika Mone, an Indian consultant specializing in Organic Farming; Dr. Saswati Bose, the General Manager of APEDA; Dr. Ganesh Sharma, Director of the National Center for Organic and Natural Farming. Mr Jens Walter- German Expert Consultant on Certification System of Organic Production highlighted the recommendations of the study conducted by the AMD project.
Mr. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, IAS, Additional Secretary (Marketing) of the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, proposed that the suggestions made by the experts regarding the implementation of organic farming certification systems in India should be followed up. He also shared that the findings of the comparative study on organic farm certification in India and Germany should be shared with the participants and suggestions should be sought on the recommendations put forward by the experts.
The meeting was ended by vote of thanks.