Pesticide residue testing is one of the checks behind PGS-India's organic claim. It is organised centrally, but Regional Councils have clear duties when a result comes back. This episode explains who tests, what happens after a positive result, and what the RC must record.
The short version
- Testing is random and central: the PGS Secretariat and Zonal Councils arrange it.
- A positive result goes to the RC and the group, and both must act on it.
- If the group does not act, the RC can suspend certification and delete yields and produce.
- The RC considers residue results before endorsing any decision.
Who Tests for Residues in PGS-India
The PGS Secretariat supervises residue testing: a small share of farms and products is picked at random each year, and results go on the website.
PGS Secretariat
Supervises PGS products through residue testing: collecting samples and getting them tested.
Zonal Councils
Collect samples and arrange residue analysis as directed by the Secretariat and PGS-NEC.
Regional Council and Local Group
Decide what to do about a positive result, and act on it.
Each year a small percentage of farms or products is selected at random for pesticide residue testing, and the results are placed on the website. Testing norms are set by PGS-NEC and coordinated by the PGS Secretariat.
Did you know?Under the RC's catalogue of sanctions, a positive residue test is among the situations that can lead to the group being sent back to the start of conversion.
When a Result Is Positive
The RC tells the group, asks it to correct the problem and sanction the farmers concerned, and can suspend certification if the group does not act.
- Tell the group.Share the result with the Local Group in writing.
- Ask for corrective action.The group must find the cause and sanction the non-complying farmers.
- Check the response.Record what the group did, and when.
- Act if the group does not.The RC can suspend or cancel certification, and delete yields and produce from the website.
A positive residue result can affect the certification status of the whole group, up to downgrading it to the start of the conversion period.
Residue Results and the RC's Decision
Before endorsing a group's decision, the RC must take any residue result into account, with its other checkpoints.
The guidelines list seven checkpoints for endorsing a group's certification decision. Residue testing is one of them:
| Checkpoint for endorsing a group's decision | What to look at |
|---|---|
| Meetings | Required group meetings held, and members present |
| Trainings | Key trainings organised, and members present |
| Summary sheet | Complete, and a full reflection of the certification process |
| Complaints | Any complaints received during the period |
| RC physical verification | The RC's own inspection report |
| Past record | Earlier non-compliances, and whether advice was followed |
| Residue testing | The result of any residue test |
Complaints about an adverse residue test report can be made to the Zonal Council or the Regional Council.
What the RC Records and Reports
Keep a register of every test and the action taken; the renewal and annual report formats both ask for residue testing figures.
- The renewal format (Format 8.5) asks how many samples were tested for pesticide residues.
- The annual report (Format-15) asks for the number of samples tested, with a few report copies enclosed.
A simple register answers both: date, farm or product, laboratory, result, and the action taken.
Check yourself
Tap an answer to see whether you are right, and why.
Who arranges random residue testing of PGS products?
- The Local Group
- The PGS Secretariat, with Zonal Councils
- Each farmer
Testing is supervised centrally; RCs and groups act on the results.
A group ignores a positive residue result. What can the RC do?
- Nothing
- Suspend or cancel certification and delete yields and produce
- Only send a reminder
The guidelines give the RC these powers when a group fails to act.
Remember these things
- Testing is random and arranged centrally.
- Tell the group and ask for corrective action.
- Act if the group does not.
- Keep a register of tests and actions.
A clear record of each residue result and the action taken protects the RC at renewal. KrushiFlow validates these fields and submits farmer records to the portal in bulk.