What Is the Make in India Certificate?

What Is the Make in India Certificate?

The “Make in India” initiative is a flagship program launched by the Government of India to encourage companies to manufacture products within the country and boost investment in the nation’s industrial and service sectors. Since its inception in 2014, the initiative has become a driving force in reshaping India’s manufacturing landscape and promoting self-reliance. One key aspect of this initiative is the Make in India Certificate, a recognition that signifies a product or service is developed, manufactured, or assembled in India under the Make in India policy framework.

This article explores the purpose, benefits, eligibility, and application process for the Make in India Certificate, especially in the context of crop production, climate smart agriculture, and urban farming, which are vital sectors for India's sustainable development.

Understanding the Make in India Certificate

The Make in India Certificate is not a standalone government-issued certificate in the traditional sense, but rather an endorsement or recognition under various government schemes that qualify a company or product as "Made in India." It symbolizes compliance with domestic value addition norms and manufacturing within Indian borders.

For entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and businesses especially those in the agriculture and Agri-tech sector's this certification holds both strategic and symbolic importance. It is often required in:

• Public procurement tenders
• Startup India benefits
• MSME schemes
• Export promotions
• Sector-specific incentives and subsidies

Key Objectives of Make in India

Before diving into the specifics of the certificate, it's essential to understand the broader goals of the initiative:

• Boost domestic manufacturing
• Create employment opportunities
• Attract foreign investment
• Improve ease of doing business
• Promote innovation and sustainability

The initiative targets 25 key sectors, including agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, and technology, which align with the country’s vision for sustainable development.

Make in India and Agriculture: A Powerful Alliance

Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy. With increasing climate challenges and growing urban populations, there's a need to modernize farming practices while ensuring environmental sustainability. This is where the Make in India framework intersects with crop production, climate smart agriculture, and urban farming.

1. Promoting Indigenous Agri-Tech Solutions

The Make in India initiative encourages the development of:

• Smart irrigation systems
• Indigenous farming equipment
• IoT and AI-based monitoring tools
• Organic fertilizers and eco-friendly pest controls

These innovations support sustainable crop production and increase the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices.

2. Support for Urban Agriculture Startups

Under Make in India, many urban farming startups have emerged, offering solutions like:

• Rooftop gardens
• Vertical hydroponic systems
• Smart container farms

These businesses, once certified, benefit from easier access to government incentives and venture capital, thus driving sustainable food production within cities.

Climate Smart Agriculture: A Priority Sector

Climate smart agriculture (CSA) aims to transform and reorient agricultural systems to effectively support development and ensure food security in a changing climate. The Make in India campaign has recognized the need to support technologies and services that:

• Improve soil health
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• Enhance water efficiency
• Strengthen climate resilience in farming

Startups and manufacturers developing climate-resilient seeds, renewable energy-powered farm tools, and weather prediction software are encouraged to manufacture in India under this initiative and qualify for recognition through certification mechanisms.

Benefits of the Make in India Certificate

Securing the Make in India recognition provides a range of strategic advantages:

1. Competitive Advantage

Companies with this recognition are often given preference in government procurement and tendering processes.

2. Access to Incentives

Firms may qualify for various central and state-level subsidies, tax benefits, and production-linked incentives (PLI) in agriculture and manufacturing.

3. Enhanced Market Reputation

Products labeled “Made in India” are associated with national pride and often preferred by Indian consumers, enhancing marketability.

4. Export Support

Make in India certified goods often receive support for exports, such as participation in trade fairs, market linkages, and logistics assistance.

5. Contribution to Sustainability

Eco-friendly products aligned with climate smart agriculture or urban farming help India meet its international climate commitments while generating employment locally.

Eligibility Criteria

The certificate is awarded based on specific criteria set by the government under schemes such as the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017.

Basic Eligibility Requirements:

• The manufacturing unit must be located in India.
• A certain percentage of value addition must be carried out domestically.
• The product must meet quality standards as defined under relevant Indian standards or BIS norms.

For example, a vertical farming unit or automated drip irrigation company producing systems within India using at least 50% indigenous components may be eligible.

How to Obtain the Make in India Certificate

Although there is no single “Make in India Certificate” issuing authority, manufacturers and service providers can apply for certification through:

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
• Gem (Government e-Marketplace) for public procurement
• Startup India portal (for Agri-tech startups)
• State industrial departments
• Industry-specific schemes like MSME Udyam  Registration, FSSAI (for food/agri-processing), etc.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Register your business: Ensure your business is legally registered under Indian law (Proprietorship, LLP, Pvt Ltd, etc.).
2. Demonstrate manufacturing activity: Show that a substantial portion of production occurs in India.
3. Apply via DPIIT or Startup India: Depending on your sector and type of enterprise.
4. Documentation: Submit business registration, manufacturing location proof, value addition data, and certifications (ISO, BIS, etc.).
5. Get listed on Gem: Register on the Government e-Marketplace to access tenders and procurement benefits.
6. Await Verification and Approval: Post-inspection or review, your product/business may be tagged under “Make in India.”

Make in India and the Future of Indian Farming

India’s farming landscape is undergoing a digital and environmental transformation. By combining Make in India with smart agriculture policies, India is fostering a new generation of Agri-entrepreneurs and manufacturers focused on:

• Building scalable solutions for urban farming
• Supporting tech-driven crop production
• Developing climate-resilient farming tools and practices

The recognition and certification under Make in India act as catalysts to take these innovations from local markets to the global stage.

Success Stories

Several Agri-tech and urban farming startups have flourished under the Make in India umbrella:

1. Kheyti

Develops low-cost greenhouse kits for small farmers. Assembled in India and aligned with climate smart agriculture, Kheyti empowers smallholders to grow crops sustainably in changing climates.

2. AgriBazaar

An online platform that connects farmers directly with buyers, reducing middlemen and encouraging digital, localized crop production.

3. Urban Kisan

Offers hydroponic farming kits for city dwellers. All components are manufactured in India, making them eligible for various startup and Make in India benefits.

These success stories highlight the potential of Make in India to stimulate sustainable agriculture across both urban and rural landscapes.

Conclusion

The Make in India Certificate is a powerful tool that not only signifies national self-reliance but also aligns with India’s vision for sustainable growth. For the agriculture sector, it opens up new doors in crop production, climate smart agriculture, and urban farming, areas critical for addressing food security and environmental challenges.

As India continues to transition towards a greener and smarter economy, the synergy between Make in India and sustainable farming will play a pivotal role in building a resilient and future-ready agricultural system. For entrepreneurs, innovators, and manufacturers in agriculture, aligning with the Make in India mission offers a path to recognition, growth, and meaningful contribution to the nation and the planet.