Bhola Kumar Shrestha
Organic Certification Nepal (OCN)

Abstract

Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system that is economically viable, ecologically safe and socially acceptable. Worldwide the demand of certified organic product is increasing for its intrinsic quality. Certification is a tool to develop trust between producer and consumer, regulated by various organic standards and regulations for which more than 32 certification bodies are active in the world. Nepal has already developed its own guideline for the promotion of organic agriculture under which National Accreditation Body is formulated for the regulation of certification. Certification can be organized by an individual farmer or group of farmers. Majority of the Nepali farmers are small and marginalized. Their production cannot meet the financial requirement of the certification body thus; group certification is a viable option for certification of small farms. Organic Certification Nepal is a national certification body with its wider network of international Certification agencies from 10 different countries to provide one stop certification service at affordable cost.