Andhra Pradesh set to become first State to get Pramaan certification for forest produce

Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) is set to become the first agency in the country to receive the Government of India’s Pramaan certification under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS), a voluntary market-based initiative aimed at promoting sustainable management of forest and agroforestry resources.

Officials at the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, the scheme’s operating agency, told The Hindu that the certificate will soon be issued to APFDC for products such as eucalyptus cultivated outside forest areas in Andhra Pradesh. The certification is expected to enable better market access and improved returns for growers.

The Pramaan (Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of Sustainable Management Practices for Agroforestry and Natural Forestry Resources), was launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The scheme encourages sustainable forest management and promotes market incentives for certified products while facilitating linkages with domestic and international markets.

Speaking to The Hindu during a media visit organised by the Press Information Bureau at the IIFM in the second week of March, Prof. Yogesh Dubey, Professor at the IIFM, said the Pramaan certification ensures legality and traceability in forest produce and can significantly enhance income for farmers and industry stakeholders. He added that sustainable harvesting practices, livelihood security and social safeguards are among the key indicators assessed under the scheme.

The certification process evaluates environmental, economic and social parameters before approval, Prof. Dubey said.

Dr. Anvita Pandey, Assistant Professor at IIFM who oversees the IFWCS Pramaan certification process, said around 1,035 products, including coffee, rubber, timber, seeds and oils across multiple categories, are being considered for certification. She said IIFM completed APFDC’s application within six months after multiple checks, including field audits conducted by independent certification bodies.

Under the Indian Forest Management Standard, eight criteria, 73 indicators and 253 verifiers are assessed. Under the Trees Outside Forests Management Standard, five criteria, 22 indicators and 76 verifiers are evaluated before awarding certification.

Dr. Pandey said certification processes for States such as Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, along with several industries, are currently in progress. Individual farmers or farmer groups can also apply for the certificate online.