An appraisal entry can fail when the appraisal team does not meet the rules: too few appraisers, someone appraising their own farm, or a date outside the crop window. This episode sets out the team rules from the guidelines and how to correct a failed entry.
The short version
- Members of the same group appraise each other.
- At least 3 appraisers for each inspection, and no reciprocal reviews.
- No one appraises their own farm; another team appraises the appraisers.
- The date must fall inside the crop window.
The Team Rules
Appraisal is by fellow members of the same group, with at least 3 appraisers per inspection and no reciprocal reviews.
| Appraisal team rule (PGS-India guidelines) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who appraises | Members of the same Local Group appraise each other |
| Minimum appraisers | At least 3 peer appraisers in the group (3 in a group of 5); no upper limit |
| Team size | At least 3 peer appraisers per inspection (§5.1); §4.2 mentions teams of 2, so plan teams of 3 |
| No reciprocal review | If A appraises B, B does not appraise A |
| Own farms | The appraisers' own farms are appraised by another peer reviewer team |
| Consumers | A consumer's representative may join, which adds credibility |
Peer appraisal is done within the group, by neighbouring farmers who know the land. It is not done by members of other Local Groups.
Why the Entry Fails
Too few appraisers, a self-appraisal, an inactive appraiser, or a date outside the window.
- Fewer than three appraisers recorded for an inspection.
- An appraiser recorded against their own farm.
- An appraiser who is no longer an active member.
- An appraisal date before sowing or after harvest; for annual crops it must be 15 days after sowing to 15 days before harvest.
Correcting the Entry
Check the signed worksheet, fix the team and date to match it, and resubmit.
- Check the signed Format-9.Who appraised, on which date, and which farm.
- Correct the team.At least three appraisers per inspection; never the farmer themselves, and no reciprocal pairs.
- Correct the date.Enter the real date. If the real date was outside the window, the appraisal must be repeated.
- Resubmit.The group resubmits; the RC decides within 30 days.
Illustrative workload. Checking appraisal teams and dates takes about 15 minutes per group; 40 groups take about 10 hours a season.
Portal screens and messages change from time to time. If an option described here is missing, ask your Regional Council, or the PGS-India Secretariat at the National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming.
Check yourself
Tap an answer to see whether you are right, and why.
Who carries out peer appraisal in PGS-India?
- Members of a neighbouring group
- Fellow members of the same group
- The Regional Council only
Members appraise each other within their group.
An appraiser's own farm must be appraised too. By whom?
- The appraiser
- Another peer reviewer team
- No one
No one appraises their own farm.
Remember these things
- Appraisal is within the group.
- At least 3 appraisers per inspection; no reciprocal review.
- No self-appraisal.
- Dates inside the crop window.
Appraisal teams set up to the rules pass validation first time. KrushiFlow validates these fields and submits farmer records to the portal in bulk.