Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region: Quality Upgradation / Certification: Support for Eco-Certification / Organic Certification
State: Central
Ministry: Ministry Of Commerce And Industry
Department: Department Of Commerce
Category: Agriculture,Rural & Environment
Beneficiary Type: Self Help Groups (SHGS)

The scheme aims to encourage coffee growers to improve quality for higher returns and improve access to high-value specialty markets through the production of eco-certified coffees. It also encourages small growers to form groups/collectives to take up eco-certification.

Benefits:
> **Scale of Subsidy**

**For Organic Certification:** 75% of the certification cost spread over 3 years or the Conversion period, whichever is less during the MTF period.
**For Other Eco-Certifications:** 75% of the certification cost for one year during the MTF period.
**NOTE:** This incentive is provided only as backend support for those who obtain certification of their estates. However, in the case of organic certification, the costs incurred towards certification during in-conversion period are also eligible for support.

Eligibility:
1. The applicants should be SHGs/collectives of tribal growers who obtain certification of their plantations for various sustainability and quality standards.
1. The applicant can access support only for certification of estates as per Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird friendly/Shade grown coffee standards, or any other certification programs equivalent to the above programs.
1. The applicant claiming support for Eco/organic certification should have been certified as per the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards, even if they are certified as per various international standards like EU Regulation, NOP (National Organic Programme of USA), JAS (Japanese Agriculture Standards), etc.
1. The applicant should obtain the Certificate only from the Certification Agencies accredited by the respective Certification Programmes during the MTF period.

Application Process:
[Offline]
Procedure for Claiming SubsidyStep 1: Certification Completion and Documentation
After obtaining certification by the accredited certification body/agency, the SHG/growers' group of tribal growers shall submit the following documents to the concerned office of the JLO/SLO of the Coffee Board.
Step 2: Submission to Coffee Board Office
The concerned JLO/SLO will scrutinize the documents, carry out field inspection for verification of books and records.
Step 3: Review and Verification
The JLO/SLO shall forward the claim along with the Physical Verification Report and other relevant records to the concerned Deputy Director (Extn)/Joint Director (Extn).
Step 4: Approval and Subsidy Disbursement
The Deputy Director (Extn.)/Joint Director (Extn) after scrutinizing the claim and records and on confirmation about the admissibility of the claim in all respects will release the subsidy amount to the beneficiary.

Documents Required:
Application in the prescribed format (in duplicate).
Certificate of incorporation/registration, memorandum of article of association/society as Grower Collective/SHG/ Cooperative issued by the authority concerned and Complete list/details of members of the organization.
Copy of the certificate issued by the Accredited Certification Agency.
Original invoice towards the cost of certification.
Copy of the Bank Pass Book containing the details of account number, name of the Bank, branch, IFSC code, etc.