India, Dec. 22 -- Certification guidelines under India's Natural Farming Mission were issued only four months ago.

Regional councils say they are under pressure to register thousands of farmers within months.

Targets apply even to non-scheme farmers, with councils expected to absorb certification costs.

Practitioners warn rushed certification could dilute credibility and farmer trust.

Scientists and senior experts have written to the government flagging risks to the system's integrity.

It has been barely four months since certification guidelines under India's Natural Farming Mission were issued, but the programme is already showing signs of turning into a target-chasing exercise. Certification bodies say they are under pressure to r...