The National Agriculture Code (NAC) is a comprehensive framework being formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to establish national standards for agriculture, similar to the National Building Code. It aims to standardize agricultural practices across various stages of the crop cycle, from land preparation to post-harvest storage.

What is the National Agriculture Code?

• Formulated by BIS: BIS, the national body responsible for setting standards across various sectors, is developing the NAC.
• Comprehensive Coverage: It covers not only machinery (tractors, harvesters) and inputs (fertilizers, pesticides) but also previously unregulated areas like field preparation, water use, and micro-irrigation.
• Guidance Document: It will act as a reference for farmers, agriculture universities, and policymakers, covering the entire agriculture cycle.

Key Areas Covered by the NAC

• Agriculture Processes: Standards for land preparation, crop selection, sowing, irrigation, drainage, plant health management, harvesting, and threshing.
• Post-Harvest Operations: Includes standards for primary processing, storage, traceability, and record maintenance.
• Input Management: Guidelines for the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides.
• Emerging Areas: Focus on organic farming, natural farming, and the use of IoT in agriculture.

Objectives of the National Agriculture Code

• Comprehensive Standards: Develop national recommendations considering agro-climatic zones, crop types, and the socio-economic diversity of India.
• Quality Enhancement: Enable a quality-focused culture in Indian agriculture through policy and regulatory integration.
• Decision-Making Guide: Serve as a decision-making tool for farmers to adopt best agricultural practices.
• Integration with Indian Standards: Incorporate relevant Indian standards in recommended agricultural practices.
• Focus on New Areas: Address sustainability, smart farming, and traceability.
• Capacity Building: Aid in the training and extension programs by agriculture departments and civil society organizations.

Timeline and Development Strategy

• Working Panels: BIS has formed working panels consisting of university professors and R&D organizations to draft the NAC.
• Deadline: The tentative deadline for finalizing the NAC is October 2025.
• Farmer Training: Post-completion, the NAC will be disseminated through training programs for farmers, supported financially by the BIS.

Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF)

• Purpose: SADFs will serve as experimental sites for testing agricultural practices and technologies aligned with Indian standards.
• MoUs with Institutes: BIS is signing Memorandums of Understanding with premier agricultural institutes, like Pantnagar’s Govind Ballabh Pant University, to establish SADFs.
• Financial Support: BIS will fund the development of these farms to facilitate knowledge transfer for farmers and agriculture professionals.