NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL CODE (NAC ) :
ECONOMY
NEWS : What
is the National Agriculture Code, currently being formulated by Bureau of
Indian Standards
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS ?
On
the lines of the existing National Building Code, the NAC will set standards
across the agriculture cycle, from field preparation to storage of produce.
National Agriculture
Code (NAC) Overview:
Development
by BIS:
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is creating
the NAC, similar to the National Building Code and National Electrical
Code.
- NAC will provide a standards framework for
agriculture.
Need for
NAC:
- BIS already sets standards for agricultural
machinery (tractors, harvesters) and inputs (fertilizers, pesticides).
- Critical areas lacking standards: field
preparation, micro irrigation, water use.
- A comprehensive code is needed to guide
farmers and policymakers.
Key
Components of NAC:
- General principles for all crops and
crop-specific standards (paddy, wheat, oilseeds, pulses).
- Covers the entire agriculture cycle,
including machinery, post-harvest processes, input management, crop
storage, and traceability.
- Focus on emerging areas: natural farming,
organic farming, IoT-based agriculture.
Objectives
of NAC:
- Create a national code considering
agroclimatic zones, crop types, and India's socio-economic diversity.
- Promote quality in agriculture for policymakers,
agriculture departments, and farmers.
- Address sustainability, SMART farming, and
traceability.
- Assist capacity-building programs for
farmers.
Timeline
and Development Process:
- Working panels are drafting the NAC, focusing
on 12-14 key areas.
- Tentative completion by October 2025.
- Training programs for farmers post-completion
with BIS financial support.
Standardized
Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF):
- Experimental farms set up to implement and
test Indian Standards.
- Used for demonstrations by farmers,
officials, and industry experts.
- 10 premier agricultural institutes involved,
including GBPUAT, Pantnagar.
- BIS provides financial support, inspired by
China’s similar initiatives.
Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/national-agriculture-code-bureau-of-indian-standards-9603867/