Overview:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed the National Agriculture Code (NAC), setting comprehensive guidelines for the agricultural sector.
Purpose:
The NAC provides a standardized framework for the entire agricultural process, akin to the National Building Code and National Electrical Code.
Structure of NAC:
- General Principles: These apply to all types of crops.
- Crop-Specific Standards: Tailored for key crops such as paddy, wheat, oilseeds, and pulses.
NAC Categories:
- Agricultural Processes:
- Crop selection
- Land preparation
- Sowing and transplanting
- Irrigation and drainage
- Soil and plant health management
- Harvesting and threshing
- Primary processing
- Post-harvest operations
- Sustainability practices
- Record maintenance
- Input Management:
- Guidelines on the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides.
- Storage and Traceability:
- Standards for proper crop storage and mechanisms for traceability.
- Emerging Areas:
- Focus on natural farming, organic farming, and the integration of Internet-of-Things (IoT) in agriculture.