On January 3, 2024, the National Centre for Organic Agriculture (NCOA) based in Yusipang, under the Department of Agriculture (DoA), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL), officially received the Local Organic Assurance System (LOAS) certificate. Despite being certified on June 7, 2023, the formal LOAS certificate was only issued recently. Since 2017, the center, formerly known as ARDC-Yusipang, has been entrusted with the national responsibility to coordinate and lead Organic Agriculture (OA) research and development programs, yet it had not received a formal organic certificate until now.
As per clause 6.2.1. of the Bhutan Organic Standards (BOS), โFor annual crops, there shall be a period of at least 12 months organic management that meets all the requirements of this standards before the resulting product can be considered organic. For perennial crops, this period shall be 18 months.โ However, the Centre underwent more than 3 years of conversion period to ensure that the soil and crops are free from synthetic chemicals and pesticides. NCOA was registered for LOAS certification on October 18, 2020.
The NCOA-Yusipang, now certified under LOAS, holds a registration number: LOAS/Thimphu/Inst-011 and Certificate number: LOAS/14-01/Inst-011. The center, with over 65 acres of land dedicated to diverse crop and fruit tree production, focuses primarily on organic crop production through this certification. The LOAS certificate is valid for one year, and like other certified organic operators it is necessitating the center to reapply for its renewal after its expiration.
The issuance of the LOAS certificate was conducted by the Policy Regulation and Coordination Programme (PRCP) under the NCOA. The process involved thorough field inspections and analysis.ย All irrigation and drinking water sources underwent testing at the National Food Testing Laboratory, confirming non-contaminated status. Each sector within the NCOA, including Field Crops, Horticulture, National Potato Programme (NPP), and the Technical Service Sector (TSS), is equipped with farm diaries that require regular updates on the activities carried out and inputs used in the fields. The PRCP oversees and inspects the fields, along with reviewing the farm diaries for each sector.
Functioning as the scheme owner of LOAS, the NCOA employs this primary organic certification for promoting organic agriculture in Bhutan and marketing organic produce in the local market. However, to mitigate any potential conflict of interest, the center aims to obtain a third-party organic certification, such as the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) certification, in the near future. Additionally, there are plans to establish an organic sales outlet at the center, offering fresh organic vegetables and fruits. The LOAS certification is expected to instill organic assurance and potentially fetch a price premium for the center’s organic produce.
๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฒ:Dr. Norden Lepcha and Mr. Kencho Namgyel
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย PRCP, NCOA.
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