Name: Dr Vijay Laxmi Yadav

PhD, Agronomy
QP Name: Organic Grower
QP Code AGR/Q1201
Version 3.0

EX. 1. As an Assessor how you will make a competency list and score card of your given
elements as per NOS.

Competency and Score card

1. Description of Organic Grower

Organic grower is responsible for production of quality organic produce adhering the
organic certification standard protocol and using recommended package of practices of organic
input resource management for a particular agroclimate zone. The person will also sell the
organic produce as per the competitive market prices.

2. Seed selection and treatment under organic farming

When selecting seeds for organic farming, you should consider the following:

-Uniformity: Seeds should be the same size and age.

-Germination: Seeds should have a good capacity to germinate.

-Contaminants: Seeds should be free of contaminants.

-Separation: To separate good seeds from bad, you can soak them in water. Unviable seeds will
float to the surface.

3. Soil nutrient management under organic farming

Soil nutrient management in organic farming is based on biological processes and
avoiding chemicals to nourish soil and crops.
-Awareness of different organic inputs for nutrient management like FYM, Vermicompost,
Green manures etc
-Knowledge of supplemental application of organically approved amendments
-Capability to apply right nutrient in right proportion at right time
-Establish a profitable crop rotation
4. Weed management in an organic farm
-Understanding the basics of weed biology and ecology, and knowing how to implement various
organic weed management techniques (eg. Mulching, crop cover, cultural and mechanical
methods, Allelopathy, soil solarization etc.)
- Knowledge of Integrated weed management
5. Irrigation management in an organic farm
- Understanding how to use irrigation systems, including drip irrigation, which can precisely
deliver water when and where it's needed
- Being able to determine the right amount of water to apply, when to apply it, and how fast to
apply it
6. Integrated pest and disease management in an organic farm
-Able to observe their crops to determine pests or diseases are causing yield loss
-Ability to conserve natural enemies of pests to prevent pest resurgence
-Capability to prepare and apply organic pesticides (e.g., neem-based products, bio-pesticides)
and use light traps to monitor and trap adult pests
7. Harvest and post-harvest management in an organic farm
- Knowledge of right tools and methods for harvesting sorting and grading
- Information about harvesting maturity index of various crops
- Awareness of approved organic cleaning agents or natural methods like water and vinegar
- Ability to manage organic product after harvesting like grading, storage, organically acceptable
fumigation, cold storage, packaging and marketing
7. Quality assurance and certification in organic farming
-Knowledge of organic standards in every aspect of farming, production and sell of the produce
- Aware about National standards on organic production (NSOP) and
-Proficiency to manage documentation and external audit requirement for organic farming
8. Business of organic farming
-understanding of relevant legislation regarding the marketing and selling of organic produce
Score card
NOS Name Elements Theor Practica Viva
y l Marks Marks
Marks
AGR/N1201: Assess different types of safe farming 15 5 5
Undertake practices
planning for PC1. assess the detrimental effects of 2 1 1
unsafe
organic farming
farming practices on health and
environment
PC2. analyze different kinds of safe 4 1.25 1.25
farming
practices and their characteristics
PC3. assess the pros and cons of 4 1.25 1.25
conventional
farming vs. organic farming
PC4. examine the core principles and 5 1.5 1.5
recommended package of
practices applicable
in organic farming
Plan for the transition to organic farming 10 10 5
Plan diversification of the crop portfolio 10 10 5
Plan the crops for the growing season 10 10 5
NOS Total 45 35 20
EX. 2 Write down a list of 10 PC competency-based questions as per NOS to assess Organic
Grower practical assessment
PC1. Prepare bio-inputs for seed treatment in farm: bijamruth, botanical alternatives etc.
Q1. How to prepare bijamruth?
Answer
 Bind 5 kg of cow dung in a cloth and hang it in 20 liters of water for 12 hours
 In a separate container, add 50 grams of lime to 1 liter of water and let it sit overnight
 Squeeze the cow dung bundle in the water three times to mix the cow dung
 Add about 1 kg of soil to the water solution and stir well
 Add 5 liters of desi cow urine and limewater, and stir well

PC2. Implement the organic seed treatment process appropriately

Q2. How to implement the organic seed treatment in organic farming?
Answer
Soak seeds in water for 12 hours and then mix it with 10% cow's urine (10 ml cow's urine + 90
ml water) or 5% prosophis kashaayam (5 ml kashaayam + 95 ml water) and dry it for 30
minutes. Use the seeds for sowing within 24 hours.

PC3. prepare vermicompost and vermiwash

Q3. How to prepare vermicompost describe step wise?
Answer-
 Select a site: Choose a location that's protected, has access to water, and is suitable for
earthworms.
 Collect materials: Gather manure and other organic waste.
 Prepare materials: Screen the materials to remove unwanted items, and chop or grind
them into small pieces.
 Pre-digest: Heap the materials with cattle dung slurry to partially digest them.
 Add earthworms: Introduce earthworms 5-10 cm below the surface of the bed.
 Water and turn: Water the bed at least twice or three times a week, and turn it once or
twice a month.
  Harvest: After 3-5 months, stop watering and allow the top of the vermicompost to dry
before harvesting.

PC4. Prepare dung-urine slurries

Q4. How to prepare dung-urine slurries?
Answer: A preparation method of a cow dung slurry-spraying granulated organic fertilizer
comprises the following steps: mixing fresh cow dung, biogas slurry and bovine urine in a cow
dung tank, grinding the mixture by a grinder to obtain slurry and putting the slurry into a mixing
tank, adding 3-5% of a molasses fermentation broth and 10-20% of cassava dregs into the mixing
tank, uniformly mixing, and storing the mixture in a storage tank to carry out fermentation
treatment for 24-30 h.

PC5. Use bio-herbicides for weed control, wherever feasible

Q.5 how to use bio-herbicides?
Answer: Apply bioherbicides in the early morning, evening, or night when air movement is
minimal, temperatures are cooler, and relative humidity is lower.
When mixing bioherbicide with water_
Fill the sprayer halfway with water and start agitating.
Add the bioherbicide.
Add additives like surfactants, drift control agents, and deposition aids.
Add the remaining water and continue agitating.
Introduce a biocontrol agent into an infested area.
Apply large doses of bioherbicides to control indigenous weeds.

PC 6. prepare biodynamic inputs/compost

Q. 6 How to prepare compost describe step by step?
Answer
1) First layer
Deposit a layer of soil and brown organic waste in the bottom of 10 to 15 centimeters.
2) Second layer
Place the organic waste in layers, start with the green waste, forming a layer of 3 to 5 inches.
3) Third layer
Continue with the next layer of sawdust or dried leaves (brown residues) of 3 to 5 inches.
4) Repeat until the bin is filled
Repeat the process as you generate waste until the bin is filled and add water to keep it moist
(avoid waterlogging). Repeat until the container is filled.
5) Mix the layers constantly
Mix the layers constantly to circulate the air and help decomposition. Mix the layers constantly.
6) Cover the compost with a mesh

PC7. Use mulching sheets for cultivation

Q7. How to use mulching sheets for cultivation?
Answer-
 Prepare the area: Water the area the day before you plan to lay the mulch, or if it's already
wet from rain. You can also chop down any greenery.
 Lay the mulch: Lay the mulch over the soil and hold it in place with stakes or weights.
Bury the edges of the sheet in the soil to prevent wind from lifting it.
 Create holes: Cut holes or slits in the mulch at the desired spacing for your crops.
 Plant: Plant your seeds or seedlings in the holes.
 Water: Water the crops through the holes in the mulch.
 Monitor: Regularly check the field for weeds and remove them promptly.
 Replace: Replace the mulch sheet when it starts to degrade.

PC 8 Carry out pruning of plant if affected by diseases

Q8. How to carry out pruning of diseased plant?
Answer-
 Prune in dry weather
 Use sharp tools
 Disinfect tools
 Prune at least 10 inches into healthy wood
 Remove all diseased wood
 Monitor the plant
 Don't put diseased plant material out with green waste

PC9 bio-pesticides, preparation and application

Q.9 how to apply bio-pesticides?
  Biopesticides can be applied in a variety of ways, depending on the type of product and
the desired effect:

 Seed treatment: Coating seeds with a biocontrol agent can help control soil-borne
pathogens.
 Soil application: Granular biopesticides can be applied to the soil to control weeds,
nematodes, and insects.
 Root dip: Biopesticides can be applied to the roots of plants.
 Foliar application: Liquid biopesticides can be applied to the leaves of plants.
 Mixing with manure: Biopesticides can be mixed with manure.

PC 10. Carry out packaging as per the requirement of the client/buyer

Q.10 How to packaging organic products?
Answer
 Biodegradable, recyclable, reusable systems and eco-friendly packaging materials shall
be used wherever possible
 Material used for packaging shall not contaminate food. Certain additives for use in
manufacturing of packaging films for packaging of organic food stuffs are allowed for
restricted use
 The packages shall be closed in such a manner that substitution of the content cannot be
achieved without manipulation or damage of the seal
 The accredited Certification Body shall approve the packaging material for use.