Introductory Note:

Farmers are the backbone of every society, particularly in an agriculture-dominated country such as India. They sustain communities by producing food through practices rooted in generations of traditional wisdom, complemented by evolving scientific knowledge and modern agricultural methods.

Farmers’ knowledge has long remained a silent and often unrecognised pillar of the agricultural ecosystem. Although agricultural produce is widely valued, the knowledge, skills, experience, and competencies that enable its cultivation have not always received the recognition they deserve.

Under the visionary leadership of the Revered Chancellor, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, this initiative seeks to recognise the intrinsic value of farmers’ knowledge and skills, thereby enhancing the dignity, recognition, and respect accorded to the farming profession. It represents a significant step towards empowering farmers through the formal acknowledgement of the knowledge and competencies they have acquired through generations of experience, practice, and continuous learning.

With this objective, Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence (SSSUHE) has undertaken a pioneering initiative to define, assess, and certify farmers’ knowledge and skills in accordance with established competency standards and recognised best practices.

Accordingly, the Voluntary Certification Scheme for Farmers’ Knowledge and Skills for Cultivating Organic Finger Millet (Ragi) (VCSFOFM) has been developed to define the competencies required for organic ragi cultivation and establish a structured process for their assessment and certification. The Scheme applies to both individual farmers and farming families who collectively demonstrate the prescribed competencies.

The Scheme aims to formally recognise farmers’ knowledge and skills, promote good practices in organic ragi cultivation, and contribute to the dignity, empowerment, and continuous development of the farming community.

The Scheme shall serve as the framework for implementing the voluntary certification programme for eligible farmers and farming families in accordance with the competency criteria, assessment procedures, and certification requirements prescribed herein.

View Scheme Document Here

For Further Information and Enquiries regarding the Scheme:

Please contact the Farmers’ Certification Scheme Secretariat
Email: farmer.certification@sssuhe.ac.in | Phone: +91 78990 00030

Farmer Certification Framework Committee (SSSUHE Vision 2035)

The. Voluntary Farmers Certification Scheme is an integral initiative under SSSUHE Vision 2035, guided by the Vision 2035 Steering Committee, chaired by Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, former Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The Voluntary Farmers Certification Scheme has been formulated under the guidance of a duly constituted Committee comprising experts from academia, agriculture, certification systems, and quality assurance. The Committee has overseen the design, review, and validation of the Scheme to ensure its credibility, inclusiveness, and alignment with national and international standards.

The following members have contributed to the formulation and review of the Scheme:

Who Can Apply:

• Individual farmers having knowledge of organic ragi

• Farmer families, where different family members are involved in ragi cultivation activities

Participation is completely voluntary.

What the Certification Covers:

The certification checks the farmer’s:

• Knowledge of organic ragi cultivation

• Practical farming skills

• Ability to follow good agricultural and organic practices

Certification Process (Simple Steps) :

The logo and Its Significance:

The logo of the Voluntary Farmers Certification Scheme symbolises the farmer as the ‘Knower of Agriculture (kṛṣi ṛṣi)’. Just as a ṛṣi realises the Self through complete identification, the farmer becomes one with his soil and seeds through lived experience and dedication to agriculture.

The imposing figure of the farmer, wearing a turban and soaring above the landscape, represents his unearthly stature and immense value to society. Though he works with the earth, he sustains millions by providing food—the fundamental source of life and energy.

The confident smile reflects the satisfaction of harvest, where each grain carries the energy of Mother Earth, nourishing and rejuvenating life. The lush green agricultural landscape symbolises freshness, prosperity, harmony, abundance, and hope, reflecting nature’s generous and perennial character.

The inclusion of modern tools such as drones, laptops, and advanced machinery highlights the integration of technology in agriculture, enabling efficiency while preserving its soul—rooted in conservation, rejuvenation, fertility, and the joy of growing and giving. The farmer’s digital engagement represents collaboration, connectivity, and collective welfare.

The circular form symbolises the continuity and cyclic nature of agriculture, as well as the unity of land, farmer, family, and community. It reflects the inter-connectedness of life and aligns with the "One World, One Family" philosophy of Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence.

The colour palette—green, earth tones, and blue—represents growth, sustainability, rootedness, and balance.

Overall, the logo reflects the Scheme’s commitment to honour the dignity of farmers, promote sustainable and effective practices, encourage innovation, and preserve the spirit and joy of farming.