What Happened
- An analysis has highlighted that long-term food security depends equally on soil health preservation and farmer dignity, not merely on maximising crop yields.
- The argument centres on the need for traceability systems in Indian agriculture that track produce from farm to consumer, ensuring food safety, quality standards, and fair value for growers.
- Traceability technologies such as QR codes, blockchain-based supply chain tracking, and digital certification are being positioned as tools that can simultaneously improve consumer confidence and farmer incomes.
- The piece emphasises that yield-centric agriculture has led to soil degradation, excessive chemical input use, and declining organic carbon content in Indian soils, threatening long-term productivity.
- A shift towards traceability-driven farming models is presented as essential for accessing premium domestic and export markets where quality verification commands higher prices.
Static Topic Bridges
Soil Health Card Scheme
The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme was launched on 19 February 2015 by the Government of India at Suratgarh, Rajasthan. It provides farmers with crop-wise recommendations of nutrients and fertilisers based on soil testing, promoting balanced and judicious use of inputs. Each card contains information on 12 parameters: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur (macro-nutrients); zinc, iron, copper, manganese, boron (micro-nutrients); and pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon.
- Launched: 19 February 2015; Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Phase I (2015-17): 10.74 crore cards distributed
- Phase II (2017-19): 11.69 crore cards distributed
- Total as of 2025: over 25 crore cards issued; Rs 1,706.18 crore released
- Impact: 8-10% reduction in chemical fertiliser application where recommendations were followed
- Average soil organic carbon in India: only 0.54%; over 70% of Indian soils suffer from acidity or alkalinity
Connection to this news: The article's emphasis on soil health as foundational to food security aligns directly with the SHC Scheme's objective of evidence-based soil management; traceability systems can integrate soil health data into the provenance chain, linking sustainable farming practices to market premiums.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Traceability Regulations
FSSAI is the statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, responsible for regulating and supervising food safety in India. It sets standards for food products, regulates manufacturing, storage, distribution, and import, and ensures food articles sold are safe for human consumption. FSSAI has been progressively introducing digital traceability measures including QR codes and the Food Safety Connect mobile application.
- Established under: Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
- Functions: standard-setting, licensing and registration of food businesses, food safety enforcement, food recalls
- QR Code mandate (July 2025): directed all Food Business Operators to display QR codes linked to the Food Safety Connect App at premises
- Food Safety Connect App: enables consumers to verify licence status, lodge complaints, access food safety information
- Draft notification (January 2026): proposed amendments to Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2011, covering compliance returns, record maintenance, and hygienic storage
- FSSAI also administers the "Eat Right India" movement for safe, healthy, and sustainable food
Connection to this news: The growing regulatory push for traceability through QR codes and digital verification systems directly supports the article's thesis that traceability infrastructure is now as important as production infrastructure in determining food system resilience and market access.
Organic and Natural Farming in India
India has been promoting organic and natural farming through several initiatives. The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), administered by APEDA under the Ministry of Commerce, governs organic certification for exports. The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) promotes organic farming in clusters of 50 acres each. Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), pioneered in Andhra Pradesh's Community Managed Natural Farming programme, advocates elimination of external chemical inputs.
- NPOP: established in 2001; provides accreditation to certification bodies; recognized by the EU and Switzerland as equivalent
- PKVY: launched in 2015-16 under NMSA (National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture); promotes cluster-based organic farming
- Andhra Pradesh ZBNF: targets 6 million farmers; uses Beejamrutham (seed treatment), Jeevamrutham (soil inoculant), Mulching, and Waaphasa (moisture management)
- India ranks first globally in number of organic farmers (over 30 lakh) but holds only 2.7% of total agricultural area under organic cultivation
- Organic and traceable products command 20-30% premium in export markets
Connection to this news: Traceability systems are essential for organic and natural farming models to realise their market premium, as consumers and importers require verifiable proof that produce was grown without prohibited inputs; without credible traceability, the price advantage of sustainable farming collapses.
Blockchain and Digital Technology in Agricultural Supply Chains
Blockchain technology creates an immutable, decentralised ledger of transactions that can record every step of the agricultural supply chain -- from seed purchase and sowing to harvesting, processing, storage, and retail. When combined with IoT sensors, GPS tracking, and QR codes, it enables real-time, tamper-proof traceability. Several pilot projects globally and in India are testing blockchain for agricultural traceability.
- Blockchain attributes for agriculture: immutability (records cannot be altered), transparency (all stakeholders can verify), decentralisation (no single point of failure)
- IoT sensors: monitor soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and crop health in real time; data feeds into traceability records
- QR codes: enable consumers to scan and access full provenance data -- farmer identity, farm location, input use, lab test results, transport history
- India pilot projects: some states are testing blockchain-based community certifications where farmer groups certify each other through recorded visits and digital sign-offs
- FSSAI and APEDA are exploring digital traceability integration for food safety compliance and export certification
Connection to this news: The article's argument that traceability should take precedence over raw yield gains is reinforced by the availability of blockchain and digital technologies that make comprehensive farm-to-fork tracking technically feasible and economically viable, especially when channelled through FPO-level digital infrastructure.
Key Facts & Data
- Average soil organic carbon content in India: 0.54%
- Over 70% of Indian soils suffer from either acidity or alkalinity
- Soil Health Cards distributed: over 25 crore (Phases I and II combined)
- SHC-recommended fertiliser use led to 8-10% reduction in chemical application
- India ranks first globally in number of organic farmers: over 30 lakh
- Organic area as share of total agricultural land: only 2.7%
- Organic products command 20-30% premium in export markets
- FSSAI established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- FSSAI QR Code mandate for all Food Business Operators: July 2025
- NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production): established 2001; recognised as equivalent by EU and Switzerland