What is the National Agriculture Code, currently being formulated by Bureau of Indian Standards

Sub : Schemes

Sec: Agri

National Agriculture Code (NAC):

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is working on developing a National Agriculture Code (NAC), similar to the existing National Building Code and National Electrical Code.

Why is the NAC Needed?

BIS already sets standards for agricultural machinery (tractors, harvesters) and inputs (fertilizers, pesticides).
However, many critical areas in agriculture lack standards, such as field preparation, micro irrigation, and water use.
There’s a need for a comprehensive standards framework that covers all agricultural practices and helps guide policymakers and farmers.

Key Components of the NAC:

The NAC will cover the entire agriculture cycle and will serve as a guide for farmers, agricultural universities, and field officials.
It will include:
- General principles for all crops.
- Crop-specific standards for paddy, wheat, oilseeds, pulses, etc.

What the NAC Will Cover?

The NAC will set standards for:

Agricultural machinery and processes.
Post-harvest operations: crop selection, land preparation, irrigation, soil/plant health, harvesting, primary processing, sustainability, and record maintenance.
Input management: chemical fertilizers, pesticides, weedicides.
Crop storage and traceability.
Emerging areas: natural farming, organic farming, and IoT-based agriculture.

Objectives of the NAC:

Create an implementable national code that accounts for agroclimatic zones, crop types, and the socio-economic diversity of Indian agriculture.
Promote a quality culture by providing a reference for policymakers, agriculture departments, and regulators.
Offer a comprehensive guide for effective decision-making in agricultural practices.
Integrate Indian Standards with recommended agricultural practices.
Address SMART farming, sustainability, and traceability.
Assist capacity-building programs for farmers via extension services and civil society organizations.

Timeline and Development Process:

Working panels involving university professors and R&D organizations have been formed to draft the NAC, focusing on 12-14 key areas.
The tentative deadline for completing the NAC is October 2025.
After finalization, training programs will be organized for farmers, with BIS providing financial support.

Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF)

BIS is also setting up Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF) at selected agriculture institutes to test and implement agricultural practices based on Indian Standards.
These farms will:
- Serve as experimental sites.
- Be used by farmers, officials, and industry experts to learn about new technologies and practices.
10 premier agricultural institutes have been identified for this project, with MoUs being signed for development.
The Pantnagar-based Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) is one of the first institutes involved.

Importance of SADFs

They will be used for practical demonstrations to train farmers and officials.
The BIS is providing financial support for setting up these farms, learning from similar initiatives already implemented in China.

Source: IE