Programme Overview

Over the years, it has become commonplace to understand and define organic agriculture as farming without synthetic pesticides and conventional fertilizers. This should not be considered a definition but a characteristic of a socially and environmentally conscious approach to agriculture that is currently experiencing rapid growth in the sector. India is fast becoming a major base for production and supply of organically produced agricultural products to the world market. During the year 2009-10, India exported organically raised commodities at worth of US$116 billion.

In a first of its kind initiative, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) of the Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, has developed a 6-months duration Certificate in Organic Farming Programme. As it would be imparted in IGNOU’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode, persons with Secondary School qualification (10+2 pass) in any part of the country could enroll in it.

Objectives:

The main objective of the programme is to:

· impart knowledge and proficiency in Organic production practices, Certification process and marketing of organically raised agricultural produces,

· promote self-employment and income generation.

Courses

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
BAP-001	Introduction to Organic Farming	4
BAPI-001	Organic Production System	4
BAPI-002	Inspection and Certification of organic Produce	4
BAPI-003	Economics and Marketing of Organic Produce	4

CourseCode	Course Name	Credits
BAPI-002	Inspection and Certification of Organic Produce	4
BAPI-003	Economics and Marketing of Organic Products	4

Fee Concession:

The fee concession is available to the following category of students:

All the candidates from the rural areas shall be entitled for 50% fee concession subject to the production of domicile certificates.
The urban students below poverty line may also be given 50% fee concession subject to production of income certificate

Medium of Instruction:

English
Hindi

Target Group:

Rural Youth
Senior Secondary pass-outs
Prospective Organic Farmers

Job Opportunities:

Trained organic farmers

Self-employment as:
Input Producers
Group Farming Managers
Counselor\ Trainer
Market Facilitator

Counselling sessions:

The programme has practical component and equal weightage has been given to theory and practical components. The participation in the practical session is an integral part of the programme. 75% attendance in the practical counselling session is compulsory to appear in the practical examinations. The counselling sessions are held at the study centres (usually during weekends) according to the schedule drawn by the programme-in-charge. The details of the study centre can be obtained from the IGNOU website or concerned regional centres.

Additional Information:

The additional information about the programme and the admission details are available at IGNOU website – www.ignou.ac.in and our Regional Centres. Additional information about this programme may also be obtained from School of Agriculture.

For further information, kindly contact:

Dr. S.K. Yadav,

Programme Coordinator,

School of Agriculture,

G Block, Zakir Hussain Bhawan,

IGNOU, Maidan Garhi,

New Delhi-110 068.

Phone: +91-011-29573088

E-mail: [email protected]

(or)

The Director,

School of Agriculture,

G Block, Zakir Hussain Bhawan,

IGNOU, Maidan Garhi,

New Delhi-110 068.

Phone: +91-011-29533167

Tele Fax: +91-011-29533167

E-mail: [email protected]

Regional Centres:

Certificate in Organic Farming (COF)

Certificate in Organic Farming (COF)