3. India’s Organic Export Strategy: "Country of the Year" at BIOFACH 2026

India has achieved a significant milestone by being designated as the \'Country of the Year\' at BIOFACH 2026, the premier global trade fair for organic products held in Nuremberg, Germany. This recognition, returning to India after 14 years, underscores the nation\'s growing influence in the global organic market and its commitment to sustainable agriculture. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is spearheading a massive \'India Country Pavilion\' to showcase diverse, high-value organic produce to international buyers and policymakers.Summary of Key Developments • Global Leadership at BIOFACH: India’s designation as \'Country of the Year\' (Feb 10-13, 2026) provides a high-visibility platform to showcase its agricultural heritage and strength as a top-tier supplier of certified organic products. • Massive Participation: The 1,074 sq. meter India Pavilion features 67 co-exhibitors, including Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperatives, and state government bodies from over 20 States and UTs. • Focus on Heritage and GI Products: APEDA is prioritizing high-value exports like organic Basmati rice and five Geographical Indication (GI) tagged varieties—Indrayani, Navara, Gobindbhog, Red rice, and Chak Hao (Black rice). • Market Expansion and FPOs: The initiative aims to integrate smallholders into global value chains, specifically targeting the European Union (EU) and US markets which remain the largest consumers of Indian organic products. • Product Diversity: Beyond staples, the showcase includes niche items such as essential oils, mango puree, large cardamom, and medicinal herbs, reflecting a shift toward value-added organic exports. • Sustainability and Branding: Extensive branding under the \'India Organic\' and \'Bharat\' banners aligns with global trends favoring environmentally responsible lifestyles and chemical-free food systems. Key Definitions • NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production): A regulatory framework under the Ministry of Commerce (Secretariat: APEDA) that sets standards and grants accreditation for organic products, primarily for export markets. • TraceNet: An online traceability system managed by APEDA that monitors the entire supply chain from the farm to the point of export to ensure organic integrity. • GI Tag (Geographical Indication): A sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation due to that origin (e.g., Chak Hao/Black Rice of Manipur). Constitutional and Legal Provisions • Article 48 (Directive Principles): Mandates the State to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines, providing the basis for sustainable farming transitions. • Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992: Under which the NPOP standards are notified by the Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to regulate organic exports. • APEDA Act, 1985: Empowers APEDA to develop and promote the export of scheduled products, including the fixing of standards and specifications for the organic sector. • FSSAI (Jaivik Bharat): The Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017, regulate organic food in the domestic market, ensuring they meet NPOP or PGS-India standards. Conclusion India’s role at BIOFACH 2026 marks a strategic \'scale-up\' in its soft power and trade diplomacy. By transitioning from a raw material supplier to a provider of value-added and GI-tagged organic products, India is addressing the global \'compliance and quality\' challenge. Success in this fair is expected to catalyze a recovery in organic export volumes, which faced fluctuations post-2021, and solidify India\'s position as the \'Organic Food Basket of the World.\' UPSC Relevance • GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development; Role of statutory bodies (APEDA).• GS Paper III: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System; Economics of animal-rearing; e-technology in the aid of farmers. • Prelims: Specifics of BIOFACH, NPOP vs. PGS-India, GI-tagged rice varieties, and the administrative ministry for organic exports (Ministry of Commerce).