Certification Process
LOCAL GROUP (LG)
Local group is a group of 5 or more organic (or willing to convert) farmers living nearby. The local group acts as the fulcrum to the Participatory Guarantee System and collectively reviews each other.
FACILITATION COUNCIL (FC
Facilitation Council is a grassroots organization working with organic farmers especially small and marginal farmers. The Facilitation council facilitates the Participatory Guarantee System among Local Groups.
PGSOC SECRETARIAT
PGSOC Secretariat is the central administrative and executive body of PGSOC Society. PGSOC Secretariat is appointed by the PGSOC society.
FORMATION OF LG
A LG of five or more farmers from the same locality come together and register with the FC.
PLEDGE
Farmers of the LG take pledge to follow organic and agro-ecological farming practices.
GROUP DISCUSSIONS
The LG meets regularly to share knowledge and discuss about their challenges. Consumers and other stake holders can also participate in these meetings.
PEER APPRAISALS
The LG along with consumers and other stake holders review the practices followed by each farmer. The LG recommends the compliant farmers for certification.
FC RECOMMENDATION
The FC recommends the certification based on peer appraisal of all farmers in the LG and shares the details in standard format to the PGSOC Secretariat.
CERTIFICATION
PGSOC Secretariat issues certificates to the LG with name of each farmer mentioned and LG code mentioned.