Groups change over time. Some become too small to work, others grow too large to appraise properly. This episode sets out when to merge or split a Local Group, and how to do it on the portal without losing farmer histories.
The short version
- Minimum 5 members, about 7 to 10 advised; the RC decides the maximum.
- Merge by moving records into the continuing group, then close the empty one.
- Split along village boundaries, and register the new group first.
- Status stays with the farmer: PGS-Green or PGS-Organic.
When to Merge or Split a Group
Merge groups that are too small to work; split groups that are too large or too spread out to appraise well.
Merge when
- A group is near or below 5 members
- Two small groups are in nearby villages
- A group cannot find 3 peer appraisers
Split when
- Members are spread over distant villages
- Appraisals cannot finish within the crop window
- The group is too large to meet and train together
The guidelines set a minimum of 5 members and advise about 7 to 10. They set no maximum; the Regional Council decides it, keeping local conditions in mind.
Did you know?PGS-India uses two statuses: PGS-Green while in conversion, and PGS-Organic after it. Conversion-year labels from third-party certification under NPOP do not apply to PGS.
How to Merge Two Groups
Move each farmer's existing record into the group that will continue, check the histories, then close the empty group.
- Choose the continuing group.Usually the one with the longer and cleaner appraisal record.
- Bring both groups up to date.Summary sheets uploaded, and no decisions waiting with the RC.
- Move each farmer record.Transfer existing records. Do not delete and register again (see episode 3).
- Check every moved record.Land, survey numbers, crops and status should match the old records.
- Close the empty group.Only after every member has moved.
How to Split a Large Group
Register the new group first, then move the chosen members into it and check both lists.
- Draw the line.Split along village or Gram Panchayat boundaries, so each group stays in continuous territory.
- Register the new group.It needs at least 5 members, a group leader and at least 3 peer appraisers.
- Move the members.Transfer each existing record. PGS-Green or PGS-Organic status stays with the farmer.
- Check both groups.Farmer counts and total area of the two groups should add up to the original group.
Checking the Records After a Change
Compare the paper records with the portal for every farmer moved.
- Match application forms and land records against the new group lists.
- Check that each group's total area equals the sum of its farmers' plots.
- Send the RC the new certification team for each group. The guidelines expect team details every season.
Illustrative workload. At about three minutes per farmer, checking 300 farmers across 15 changed groups takes about 15 hours.
Check yourself
Tap an answer to see whether you are right, and why.
Who decides the maximum size of a Local Group?
- The PGS Secretariat
- The Regional Council, keeping local conditions in mind
- There is a fixed maximum of 50
The guidelines set a minimum of 5 and leave the maximum to the RC.
When splitting a group, what do you do first?
- Move the farmers
- Register the new group
- Delete the old group
Farmers can only be moved into a group that already exists.
Remember these things
- Merge small groups; split large or spread-out ones.
- Always move records; never register again.
- Close a group only when it is empty.
- Check counts and areas afterwards.
Careful merging and splitting keeps every farmer's history on the portal. KrushiFlow validates these fields and submits farmer records to the portal in bulk.