Introduction: Export Kaipad Rice

Kaipad rice is a type of organic rice that is primarily grown in saline-prone regions of India. The principal production regions for the same are a few districts in Kerala, including Kannur, Kozhikode, Kasargos, etc. The Kaipad system of rice production results in rich organic rice that is produced through coastal brackish water marshes where rice cultivation and aquaculture coexist, making it rich in organics. The mangrove region at the estuaries maintains the minerals and productivity of rice, making the rice rich in organics; the estuaries created in the coastal region and the tidal effect bring back the saline water that makes the region saline, and the ecosystem of the production area is rich in biodiversity of flora and fauna. A wide variety of species are present, aiding in the production of a wide variety of food and agricultural products and enhancing organics.

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The Kaipad tract is found in the coastal region at the point where the river merges with the sea. This region gets flooded in the monsoon season and salinated during the summer season. The cultivation in the region contributes to minimizing floods and pollution in the region. Along with the accumulation of marine waste, forest waste, paddy stubbles in the Kaipad region, migratory bird excrement, fauna remnants, and migratory birds, the area also saw an increase in the production of organic products. As a result, the goods made from these materials are thought to be highly organic.

Background of Indian Rice Exports

The Department of Agricultural Development and Farmers Welfare, Government of Kerala, and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), both of which fall under the Union Ministry of Commerce, are responsible for the first export of Kaipad rice outside of India.  The APEDA's export promotion initiative has resulted in an increase in the GI-tagged Kaipad rice in this product. As per the norm, organic production cannot be conducted with the use of chemicals, pesticides, or industrially produced fertilizers (GMOs). The certification process makes it possible for producers to export organic goods, including rice, to foreign nationals. The organic certificate is available to farmers, distributors, producers, exporters, and other agricultural food producers.

Documentation Required for the Export of the Organic Cereals From India 

• The individuals, and farmer businesses operating the export of their Organic products from India must be required to show the legality and validity for the export of the product through registration of the food products with different licensing authorities within India and the importing country, the details of which are mentioned below.
• The exporter needs to have GST registration and a valid PAN of the business operation.
• The valid IEC (import-export code) through DGFT registration.
• The FSSAI registration certificate and NPOP authorization of the organic food product.
• Narcotics certification
• Authorization from the ministry of agriculture 
• Approved products certificate.
• The custom clearance certificate of the businesses.
• Certification with the importing countries and selection of the Importer.

Licensing Requirement for the Export of Organic Products 

The licensing of organic Kaipad rice and other organic products increases the value of Kaipad rice in the international market. The businessmen, the entrepreneurs, are more eagerly looking for the opportunity to sell organic products from India in the international market. However, the international market will not consider the products being exported as organic unless the required label as an organic product is given by the government. The following are the legal requirements for the export of organic products outside India:

• FSSAI Authorization

The exporter needs to have a valid FSSAI registration number, and the FSSAI Act of 2006 provides detailed information regarding the mandatory requirements for the exporter, businessmen, etc. for the businesses that have an annual turnover below 12 lakhs and those with an annual turnover over 12 lakhs need to have valid FSSAI state licenses, and those with an annual turnover over 20 crores need to have a valid FSSAI central license. The licensing period is five years, after which the licensee needs to have a renewal of the license renewed before its expiration. There are lots of countries that allow products directly that have the FSSAI certification tag. The FSSAI certification authorizes the product as safe for human consumption, and the FSSAI-certified products get value in the international market. Through certification, the food products comply with the regulations and are eligible to sell the product. The authorization for the manufacturing of the products for export purposes is a separate license, and the authorization by the exporter, traders, or merchants is different; it is solely for the purpose of exporting the products from outside India. The applicant needs to declare whether the product is being licensed for export purposes only or for sale on the domestic market and for export purposes as well. The Participatory Guarantee System of India (PGS India) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Welfare, Welfare, and the National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) under APEDA, Department of Commerce, are two additional certifications for organic food products that are covered by the FSS regulation.

• APEDA Authorization

The National Program for Organic Production (NPOP), under the authority of the APEDA, requires organic certification and follows a set of rules for registering organic goods. The SOP for registering products as organic states that land farms must be converted to organic farming, that inputs used in land farms' production must be natural, that no technical method of production that results in chemical flow is permitted, etc. These SOPs must be adhered to in order to produce organic rice. Kaipad rice is already found to be in compliance with the SOP given by the APEDA.

The organic certification process that is provided by APEDA through the accredited body NPOP, under the Department of Commerce, is given below:

1. The filling of application from the farmer, and producer from any accredited Organic Certification body or laboratory along with the standard operational documents.
2. The accreditation fee submission
3. Submission of required documents 
4. The certification team conducts frequent inspections of the farm site, documentation of the inspection
5. Provides licensing certificates or rejects the same.

There is a different level of certification, the labeling process is done by NPOP according to the quality of the food products.

The certificate is valid for a period of three years from the date of authorization, which needs to be renewed before the expiration date of the license.

As long as the inspection and full organic production are confirmed within the specified time period, the certification process takes roughly 2 to 3 years from the date the application is filed.

• Obtaining Importation Permits and Licenses

It is occasionally necessary to obtain specific certifications from receiving nations, and the certificate includes phytosanitary certification, which is verified by the importing country. In the majority of nations, import certification is required.

• Quality Standard certification

A few industrialized countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, etc., require food products to have a Quality Standard certificate.

• IEC & DGFT Authorization

For the export of goods and food products from India, an import-export code (IEC) is necessary. Some product categories, however, are exempt from the IEC requirement. In order to conduct import-export business in India, all companies are required to obtain the IEC. The linking of the IEC with the DGFT makes the trading process easy and valid. All types of businesses, such as limited liability companies, partnership firms, proprietorship firms, HUFs, societies, trusts, and even non-registered businesses, are eligible for licensing. 

Conclusion

The organic certification and export license from India require a lot of paperwork and procedures, but once they are finished, they significantly raise the value of agricultural products sold abroad. The certification is recognized by the majority of developed and developing nations, providing Indian farmers with excellent business opportunities.  Exporting Kaipad organic rice necessitates extensive certification on a national level as well as compliance with receiving nation licensing requirements. The entire process requires a significant amount of time from the licensee. We offer full compliance for the export of Kaipad rice from India to the foreign country so that farmers, businesses, and businesspeople can conduct business easily. For any additional information, let's get in touch with us.