The Hindu Business Line : Farm produce certification gaining ground

Stringent norms imposed especially by European countries have prompted fresh produce exporting countries to seek various quality systems, according to Mr Rolf Grijpma, Business Development Manager, FoodCert, the Netherlands-based certifying company.

Countries such as India, Uganda, Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa are the new emerging venues where farm produce export business is expected to take off in a big way.

"India is getting conscious of opportunities in export. We can see that the entire chair from farmers right up to the export level there is a desire for quality processes," Mr Grijpma said. FoodCert is one of the certifying companies that provides Eurep Gap for farm processes; HACCP for food processing industries; ISO 9001 for quality management systems and ISO 14001 for environmental management systems.

Eurep Gap is gaining prominence among grape growers in the country. By the end of 2004, 200 grape growers would have been certified Eurep Gap by FoodCert. In 2005, about 400 growers will come under Eurep Gap, Mr Srihari Kotela, Director, FoodCert India Pvt Ltd said.

"We are also offering this certification to gherkin farmers. In the first phase we are looking at 60 growers," Mr Kotela said. "We are planning to cover litchis in Uttaranchal and mangoes in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

The company also certified Rural Advantage Committee, a $ 700 million NGO in Bangladesh, involved in vegetable farming.

"Our focus is on food chain concept. We do it with local competent partners. We train them to carry out surveillance," Mr Grijpma said. According to him, retail chains worldwide have stepped up their bar on quality.

Back home in India too the Government is driving quality consciousness through organisations such as Apeda, said an official of SGS India Pvt Ltd.

Apart from SGS, Skal and Euro Cert are the other certifying companies that are active in India.

Certifying companies earn a fee from their clients. Most of the certification is done for processes; some of the certification requiring an annual renewing. This helps certifying companies to add to their revenues.

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