Prof. Yogesh Dubey, Professor, and Dr. Anvita Pandey, Assistant Professor, interacting with visiting media at the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. | Photo credit: HANDOUT
Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation (APFDC) is set to become the first agency in the country to receive Pramaan certification from the Government of India 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 of the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, the operating agency of the scheme, told The Hindu that the certificate would soon be issued by the APFDC for products such as eucalyptus grown outside forest areas in Andhra Pradesh. Certification is expected to allow better market access and better returns for growers.
Pramaan (Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of Sustainable Management Practices in Agroforestry and Natural Forest Resources) was launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The program promotes sustainable forest management and promotes market incentives for certified products, while facilitating linkages with domestic and international markets.
Prof. Speaking to The Hindu during a media visit organized by the Press Information Bureau at IIFM in the second week of March, Yogesh Dubey, a professor at IIFM, said Pramaan certification ensures legality and traceability of forest produce and can significantly increase income for farmers and industry stakeholders. He added that key indicators assessed under the program include sustainable mining practices, livelihood security and social guarantees.
The certification process evaluates environmental, economic and social parameters before approval, said prof. Dubey.
Dr. Anvita Pandey, assistant professor at IIFM, who oversees the IFWCS Pramaan certification process, said around 1,035 products are being considered for certification, including coffee, rubber, timber, seeds and oils in various categories. She said the IIFM finalized the APFDC application within six months after several checks, including field audits by independent certification bodies.
According to the Indian Forest Management Standard, eight criteria, 73 indicators and 253 verifiers are assessed. According to the Trees Outside Forest Management Standard, five criteria, 22 indicators and 76 verifiers are assessed before certification is granted.
Dr. Pandey said the certification processes for states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh along with several industries are currently underway. Individual farmers or groups of farmers can also apply for a certificate online.
Published – 16 March 2026 20:12 IST
