Organic Farming Glossary

Agniastra ಅಗ್ನಿಅಸ್ತ್ರ · अग्नास्त्र

A ZBNF botanical insecticide made from desi cow urine, green chilli, garlic, and neem leaves — used against caterpillars and borers.

Amrut Jal ಅಮೃತ ಜಲ · अमृत जल

A diluted jeevamrutha (1:10 ratio with water) used for foliar spray to boost plant immunity and microbial activity on leaves.

APEDA

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority — the Indian government body that regulates and promotes agri-export. Organic exporters must register with APEDA.

Beejamrutha ಬೀಜಾಮೃತ · बीजामृत

A seed treatment made from desi cow dung, cow urine, lime, and soil — protects seeds from fungal and soil-borne diseases before sowing. Soak seeds for 24 hours.

Bio-fertiliser ಜೈವಿಕ ಗೊಬ್ಬರ · जैव उर्वरक

A product containing living microorganisms (Rhizobium, PSB, Azospirillum) that fix nitrogen or solubilise phosphorus in soil, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers.

Brahmastra ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಸ್ತ್ರ · ब्रह्मास्त्र

A ZBNF botanical pesticide made by boiling neem, papaya, guava, pomegranate, and custard apple leaves in cow urine — effective against sucking pests and mites.

Carbon Sequestration कार्बन अनुक्रमण

The process by which plants and soil microbes capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil as organic matter, mitigating climate change.

Certifying Body (CB) प्रमाणन निकाय

An APEDA-accredited organisation that inspects farms and issues NPOP organic certificates. Examples: IMO, OneCert, Bureau Veritas, APOF, Lacon.

Cover Crop ಆಚ್ಛಾದನ ಬೆಳೆ · कवर क्रॉप

A crop grown primarily to protect and enrich soil rather than for harvest — examples include sunn hemp, cowpea, and dhaincha. Fixes nitrogen and prevents erosion.

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)

A model where consumers pay a farm upfront at the start of the season in exchange for regular weekly produce boxes — reduces farmer financial risk.

D2C (Direct to Consumer) सीधे उपभोक्ता को

Selling directly to the end buyer without middlemen — through WhatsApp, subscription boxes, or a farm website. Commands 40-80% higher prices than selling at mandi.

Desi Cow ನಾಟಿ ಹಸು · देसी गाय

Indigenous Indian cattle breeds (Gir, Sahiwal, Ongole, Hallikar) with Bos indicus genetics. Their dung contains 300-500 crore microorganisms per gram — essential for ZBNF inputs.

Drip Irrigation ತೊಟ್ಟಿಕ್ಕು ನೀರಾವರಿ · ड्रिप सिंचाई

A water delivery system that applies water directly to the root zone through emitters — 90-95% water use efficiency vs 35-40% for flood irrigation.

Earthworm ಎರೆಹುಳು · केंचुआ

Soil organisms that break down organic matter and aerate soil. A healthy organic farm has 10+ earthworms per cubic foot of soil — a key indicator of soil health.

Farm Diary ಜಮೀನು ದಿನಚರಿ · खेत डायरी

A record book maintained by certified organic farmers documenting input use, field operations, harvest quantities, and sales — mandatory for NPOP certification audits.

FPO (Farmer Producer Organisation) ರೈತ ಉತ್ಪಾದಕ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ · किसान उत्पादक संगठन

A company owned and managed by farmers that enables collective bargaining, input procurement, and market access. NABARD provides up to ₹18 lakh grant to new FPOs.

FSSAI

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India — the regulatory body that governs food labelling, processing, and safety. Organic packaged food needs FSSAI licence and Jaivik Bharat logo.

Green Manure ಹಸಿರೆಲೆ ಗೊಬ್ಬರ · हरी खाद

Crops grown and incorporated into the soil while still green to add organic matter and nutrients — examples include dhaincha, sunn hemp, and cowpea.

GST (Goods and Services Tax)

India's unified indirect tax. Most fresh fruits and vegetables are GST-exempt. Processed/packaged organic food attracts 5-12%. Registration mandatory above ₹20 lakh turnover or for e-commerce sellers.

ICS (Internal Control System) आंतरिक नियंत्रण प्रणाली

A management system used in group certification where the farmer organisation internally inspects and verifies member farms before external certification audits — reduces individual certification cost to ₹500-2,000/farmer.

Jaivik Bharat ಜೈವಿಕ ಭಾರತ · जैविक भारत

India's official organic food logo issued by FSSAI — required on packaged organic products sold in Indian retail. Needs valid NPOP or PGS-India certificate to apply.

Jeevamrutha ಜೀವಾಮೃತ · जीवामृत

A ZBNF liquid bio-fertiliser made from desi cow dung (10 kg), cow urine (10 L), jaggery (2 kg), pulse flour (2 kg), and soil — fermented 48 hours and applied at 200 L/acre every 15 days.

KCC (Kisan Credit Card) ಕಿಸಾನ್ ಕ್ರೆಡಿಟ್ ಕಾರ್ಡ್ · किसान क्रेडिट कार्ड

A government farm credit scheme offering up to ₹1.6 lakh without collateral at 7% interest (4% with Kisan subsidy). Used for seeds, inputs, labour, and equipment.

Kharif ಖಾರಿಫ್ · खरीफ

The monsoon crop season in India — typically sown June-July and harvested October-November. Main crops: rice, maize, soybean, groundnut, cotton, sugarcane, ginger.

KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) ಕೃಷಿ ವಿಜ್ಞಾನ ಕೇಂದ್ರ · कृषि विज्ञान केंद्र

Government farm science centres in every district offering free soil testing, crop advice, training, and demonstration plots. Helpline: 1800-180-1551.

Mandi ಮಂಡಿ · मंडी

A regulated wholesale agricultural market where farmers sell produce to traders and commission agents. Prices are typically 40-60% below direct consumer prices for organic produce.

Mulching ಮಲ್ಚಿಂಗ್ · मल्चिंग

Covering soil with organic material (straw, dry leaves, coconut fronds) or plastic film to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Reduces irrigation need by 40-60%.

NABARD

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development — provides refinancing to rural banks, supports FPO formation, and funds agricultural infrastructure. Key source of farm credit in India.

Neemastra ನೀಮಾಸ್ತ್ರ · नीमास्त्र

A ZBNF botanical pesticide made from neem leaves, desi cow urine, and cow dung — effective against soft-bodied sucking pests like aphids, whitefly, and mealybugs.

NPOP

National Programme for Organic Production — India's government organic certification standard managed by APEDA. NPOP-certified produce can be exported to the EU without dual certification (equivalence since 2008).

NSKE (Neem Seed Kernel Extract) ಬೇವಿನ ಬೀಜದ ಸಾರ · नीम बीज कर्नेल अर्क

A botanical pesticide made by soaking neem seeds (5%) in water overnight — contains azadirachtin which disrupts insect hormone systems. Effective against pod borers and leaf miners.

ONDC

Open Network for Digital Commerce — a government-backed open e-commerce network that lets farmers sell online at 2-5% commission vs 15-25% on Amazon/Flipkart.

Organic Carbon (OC) ಸಾವಯವ ಇಂಗಾಲ · जैविक कार्बन

The percentage of carbon in soil from decomposed organic matter. Healthy soil has OC above 0.8%; most Indian farm soils are at 0.2-0.5%. Each 1% increase improves water retention by 170,000 litres/acre.

OSP (Organic System Plan)

A document submitted to a certifying body describing how a farm manages soil fertility, pest control, and inputs to meet NPOP standards — required for initial NPOP certification.

Panchagavya ಪಂಚಗವ್ಯ · पंचगव्य

A ZBNF growth promoter made from 5 cow products: dung, urine, milk, curd, and ghee — fermented 15-21 days and sprayed at 3% solution to boost plant immunity and yield.

PGS-India

Participatory Guarantee System India — a free, government-backed organic certification where farmers in a local group verify each other. Valid for domestic sales; not accepted for export.

PKVY

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana — a government scheme providing ₹50,000 per cluster of 50 farmers over 3 years to support organic transition, covering certification, inputs, and marketing.

PSB (Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria) ಫಾಸ್ಫೇಟ್ ಕರಗಿಸುವ ಬ್ಯಾಕ್ಟೀರಿಯಾ · फास्फेट घोलने वाले बैक्टीरिया

Soil bacteria (Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas) that convert insoluble phosphorus into plant-available forms — reducing the need for phosphatic fertilisers by 25-40%.

Rabi ರಬಿ · रबी

The winter crop season in India — sown October-December and harvested March-April. Main crops: wheat, chickpea, mustard, onion, garlic, coriander, fenugreek.

Rhizobium ರೈಜೋಬಿಯಂ · राइज़ोबियम

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in root nodules of legume crops (dal, beans, groundnut) — can fix 50-200 kg nitrogen per acre per season, reducing fertiliser need.

Roguing ರೋಗಿಂಗ್ · रोगिंग

The practice of removing off-type or diseased plants from a seed crop before they flower and pollinate — essential for maintaining seed purity in open-pollinated variety production.

SHG (Self Help Group) ಸ್ವಸಹಾಯ ಗುಂಪು · स्वयं सहायता समूह

A small group of 10-20 people (often women) who pool savings and access credit collectively. SHG members can access NABARD-linked loans at 7% interest for farm inputs.

SRI (System of Rice Intensification) ಭತ್ತ ಸಘನ ಕೃಷಿ ಪದ್ಧತಿ · धान गहन प्रणाली

A rice cultivation method using younger seedlings, wider spacing, alternate wetting-drying irrigation, and organic inputs — increases yield 20-50% while reducing water use by 30%.

Sunn Hemp (Dhaincha) ಸನ್ ಹೆಂಪ್ · ढैंचा

A fast-growing leguminous green manure crop that fixes 150-200 kg nitrogen per acre in 60 days — used to improve soil before the main crop season.

Trichoderma ಟ್ರೈಕೋಡರ್ಮಾ · ट्राइकोडर्मा

A beneficial soil fungus used as a biocontrol agent against root rot, wilt, and damping-off diseases (Fusarium, Pythium). Mixed with compost or vermicompost before application.

UPI (Unified Payments Interface) यूपीआई

India's real-time digital payment system (PhonePe, GPay, Paytm). Essential for farm businesses — enables instant payment collection at markets, on WhatsApp orders, and for subscription boxes.

Vermicompost ಎರೆಗೊಬ್ಬರ · वर्मीकम्पोस्ट

Compost produced by earthworms (usually Eisenia fetida) breaking down organic waste. Higher in available NPK than regular compost — apply at 2-4 tonnes per acre. Can be sold at ₹8-15/kg.

Wayanad Model

A spice farming cooperative approach pioneered in Kerala's Wayanad district — small organic pepper and cardamom farmers pooling to access premium export markets collectively.

ZBNF (Zero Budget Natural Farming) ಸೊನ್ನೆ ಬಂಡವಾಳ ನೈಸರ್ಗಿಕ ಕೃಷಿ · ज़ीरो बजट नेचुरल फार्मिंग

A farming system developed by Subhash Palekar using desi cow inputs (jeevamrutha, beejamrutha, panchagavya) to eliminate external input costs. AP government adopted it for 600,000+ farmers.

eNAM

Electronic National Agriculture Market — a government online trading platform connecting farmers to buyers across 1,000+ mandis in India. Free to register.