The Future of Farming with NAC

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is working on an innovative framework known as the National Agriculture Code (NAC). Similar to the existing codes for buildings and electrical systems, the NAC is designed specifically for agriculture. Its primary goal is to establish standardized guidelines to enhance the quality and efficiency of farming practices in India, which, until now, have lacked comprehensive regulations.

Understanding the National Agriculture Code

The NAC seeks to develop a set of rules and recommendations that cover various aspects of agriculture across India. By setting these guidelines, the aim is to create consistency in farming methods to ensure safety, efficiency, and high-quality outcomes. While there are already standards in place for farming machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides, the agricultural sector still lacks clear guidelines in many other crucial areas.

Why is the NAC Important?

While the BIS has established standards for specific products such as machinery and chemicals used in agriculture, many other aspects of farming remain unregulated. Some of these areas include:

• Land preparation (readying fields for planting)
• Irrigation techniques (efficient water use)
• Sustainable farming practices

This absence of a comprehensive framework has been recognized as a challenge by policymakers. The NAC is expected to resolve this by introducing a more organized, standardized approach to farming in India, making it easier to manage and improve agricultural productivity.

What Will the NAC Include?

The NAC will encompass several key areas, including:

1. Agricultural Practices: Guidelines will cover the entire farming process—from crop selection and land preparation to irrigation, planting, and harvesting.
2. Post-Harvest Operations: The NAC will outline standards for initial processing, produce storage, and traceability to ensure that crops can be tracked from farm to market.
3. Input Management: This will regulate the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and promote the adoption of organic farming methods.
4. New Technologies: The code will encourage the use of modern farming techniques, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and other sustainable practices, to improve overall agricultural efficiency.

Objectives of the National Agriculture Code

The NAC has several key objectives:

• Establish a national framework that guides diverse farming practices across the country.
• Promote a culture of high-quality, efficient farming practices that policymakers, regulators, and farmers can follow.
• Serve as a reference for farmers, helping them make informed decisions in their day-to-day agricultural operations.
• Encourage the adoption of modern technologies and sustainable farming techniques to boost productivity and environmental conservation.

When Can We Expect the NAC?

The BIS is actively working on the NAC, with a target completion date set for October 2025. Once finalized, the code will be implemented, and farmers will receive training to help them understand and apply the new standards in their work.

Introducing Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF)

To support the development and implementation of the NAC, the BIS is also setting up Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF). These farms will serve as experimental sites where farmers and agricultural professionals can observe and learn about the new standards in action. Created in collaboration with leading agricultural institutes, the SADFs will be crucial in helping farmers adopt and implement the standardized practices introduced by the NAC.