Organic Farming Practices and Certification

By Prof. Shweta Yadav | Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (M.P.)

Learners enrolled: 609

Agriculture with the use of agrochemicals in large amounts has, undoubtedly, resulted in a manifold increase in the production of farm commodities, but the adverse effects of these chemicals are clearly visible in the soil structure, soil microflora, quality of water, food, fodder and food materials.

Organic farming is certainly an answer for creating a safe, good and clean environment, and the use of biofertilizers in preference to chemical fertilizers, offers economic and ecological benefits by way of soil health and fertility to farmers. Based on this rationale the Course “Organic farming Practices and Certification” is offered.

It is hoped that the information provided in the course will alert and enlighten the farmers, students, scientists, professionals, entrepreneurs and others interested in organic farming Practices and certification.

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	8 weeks
Category :	Zoology
Credit Points :	2
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	12 Jan 2026
End Date :	30 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends :	28 Feb 2026
Exam Date :
Translation Languages :	English
NCrF Level	5.5

Page Visits

Course layout

First Week: Organic Farming: Concepts

Organic Farming: Principles and approaches

Characteristics of an Organic Farm

Second Week: Composting and Manuring

Vermicomposting techniques

Identification of Vermicomposting Worms

Third Week: Harvesting of Vermicompost and Preparation of Vermiwash

Biofertilizers and other practices to control diseases

Fourth Week: Cultural and Mechanical practices of plant protection

Biopesticides and other practices to control diseases
Preparation of Botanicals

Fifth Week: Seed and Planting techniques in Organic Farming
Livestock Management in Organic Farming

Discussion with an expert on Livestock management

Sixth Week: Crop Rotation Practices in Organic Farming

Water Management in Organic farm

Organic Standards

Seventh Week: Procedure of Inspection and Certification

Documentation for Organic Certification

Discussion with an expert on Certification of Organic Farm

Eighth Week: Quality Management and Organic Trademark

Concept of Marketing and Indian Organic Market

Economics of Organic Farming and Government Schemes to
support Organic Farming

Books and references

1. APEDA (2001). Guidelines for Production of Organic Rice in India, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, New Delhi.

2. FAO (2015). Training Manual for Organic Agriculture guide on Introduction to Organic Agriculture (FAO-TECA), International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM - Organics International).

3. Gupta, M. (2004). Organic agriculture development in India. ABD publishers, Jaipur, India.

4. Kannaiyan, S. (2000). Biofertilizers-Key Factor in Organic Farming. The Hindu Survey of Indian Agriculture. Published by S.Rangrajaneon behalf of M/s Kasturi and Sons Ltd. At the National Press, Kasturi Building, Chennai.

5. Shiva, V., Pande, P. and J. Singh (2004). Principles of Organic Farming: Renewing the Earth's Harvest. Navdanya, New Delhi.

6. Singh, R.P. (2000). Neem for pest management, IARI, New Delhi.

7. Yadav, A.K. (2015). Organic Agriculture (Concept, Scenario, Principals and Practices), National Centre of Organic Farming Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India, CGO-II, Kamla Nehru Nagar Ghaziabad, 201 001, Uttar Pradesh.

8. Yadav Shweta and Singh V.K. 2014. Vermitechnology: Rebuilding of Sustainable Livelihoods. Nova Science Publisher, Inc: 400 Oser, Ave, Suite 1600: Hauppauge, New York, USA. ISBN 978-1-6317-943-3.

Instructor bio

Prof. Shweta Yadav

Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar (M.P.)

Prof Shweta Yadav (Vidwan ID: https://vidwan.inflibnet.ac.in/profile/142251) is professor of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University),Sagar Madhya Pradesh. Recipient of ‘Young Scientist Award’ for consecutive years 1993, 1995, 2001, Dr. Shweta was adjudged for a prestigious ‘Jagadishwari Rao Women Scientist Award (2002)’. She has been honored by the then Union Minister of Agriculture on Feb. 16, 2003 for her outstanding contribution in setting-up series of Vermicompost Units in rural areas of western UP for production of organic manure, thereby generating self employment opportunities to weaker sections of the society.

Co-course coordinator

Nalini Tiwari is a molecular taxonomist and pursuing investigations on “Phylogenetic and phylogeographic inference of molecular systematics of earthworms using mitochondrial gene marker” in Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishawavidhyalaya (A Central University), Sagar (M.P). She worked on Phylogeography and DNA barcoding of Cycas (Cycadaceae) from Indian subcontinent during M.Phil. course in Centre for Biosciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda.

Course certificate

Certificate course

Schedule: The Course content shall be released on weekly basis -3 Modules per week, along with Text Materials and Assignment.

Internal Assessment: Each week will have one or two graded Assignment.

*Best 5 Assignment marks will be considered for Internal Marks and carry 30 % for overall Result.

End Term Exam will have 100 questions (Objective Type) and will carry 70% of overall Result.

All students, who obtain 40% marks in internal assessment and 40% marks in end-term, will be eligible for certificate and credit transfer.

Course learners who qualify the end course examination can get a passing certificate and a mark sheet for credit transfer.

Course learners can get participation certificate after completion of the course for their participation in the course.

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