Strengthening the Systems That Strengthen Farmers
PGSOC works to make organic certification in India more inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the needs of smallholders.
“We advocate not for a system, but for the spirit that built it — trust, participation, and shared responsibility.”
Our Advocacy Focus
PGSOC engages with government, civil society, and international networks to ensure that Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) evolve in a way that truly serves farmers and communities.
Our advocacy focuses on four key areas:
1. Inclusion and Access
Ensuring that small and marginal farmers — especially women and those from underrepresented groups — can participate in certification systems that are affordable and fair.
2. Governance and Transparency
Supporting Facilitation Councils and implementing bodies to strengthen accountability, documentation, and traceability in PGS — keeping the process credible and participatory.
3. Policy Dialogue and Reform
Engaging with the Ministry of Agriculture, FSSAI, and allied departments to align organic certification with policies on food safety, market access, and farmer welfare.
4. Civil Society Participation
Strengthening collaboration among Facilitation Councils, NGOs, and networks to ensure that certification remains community-led and true to its founding values.
Our Approach
For us, advocacy means building understanding, demonstrating solutions, and amplifying the voices of small and marginal farmers.
PGSOC's approach is rooted in evidence, dialogue, and participation.
We use experience from our member organizations to inform policy conversations, while continuously learning from the farmers, councils, and communities we represent.
“Systems built for people must listen to people.”
— PGS Organic Council