Sustainability & Compliance Tracker of Smart Farm Managers. Parameters For Evaluation 12/14

Farm Management Companies. Labor welfare, biodiversity, certifications, and safety define whether farms survive in future markets.

Step 1 of 4

Sustainability & Compliance

Q1: Labor Welfare and Legal Compliance; How do you treat farm labor—just as “hands for hire” or as people with rights and dignity?👉 Example 1: Factories—some pay minimum wage, give PF, helmets; others delay payments, no safety.

👉 Example 2: Farms—workers either get weekly payments, shade, toilets, or just “chale jao” treatment.

No compliance; delayed wages, no records. Like contractor paying cash in envelopes, no PF/ESI.

Basic compliance: minimum wage paid, but weak records. Like paying on time, but no slips.

Formal payroll, attendance, records, compliance with labor acts. Like a factory with muster roll, wage register.

Full labor welfare: PF/ESI, health checks, toilets, safety gear, grievance channel. Like modern firms with HR policies.

Sustainability & Compliance

Q2: Biodiversity and Regenerative Practices Integration; Do you grow only crops, or also care for birds, bees, and soil life?👉 Example 1: Monocrop sugarcane vs intercropping with pulses + border trees.

👉 Example 2: Bare fields vs hedgerows, nesting spots, pollinator plants.

No biodiversity, only cash crops. Like city with only concrete, no trees.

Some shade/border trees, occasional intercrops. Like a city with a few gardens here and there.

Planned biodiversity: intercrops, hedgerows, ponds, flowering plants for pollinators. Like a city with parks, lakes, and green belts.

Full regenerative design: multi-layer cropping, composting, biodiversity audits, carbon + water credits tracked. Like Auroville-style ecosystem farming.

Sustainability & Compliance

Q3: Certification Readiness (Organic, GAP, Fairtrade, Carbon Credits); Can your farm withstand third-party audits and qualify for certifications?👉 Example: Selling mangoes—some say “natural,” others actually get NPOP, GAP, Fairtrade labels.

No awareness or readiness for certification. Like saying “mera khana healthy hai” without medical reports.

Some awareness, records weak. Like wanting medical check-up but not keeping blood tests.

Documentation, traceability, and partial compliance in place. Like keeping all medical tests ready, waiting for doctor’s signature.

Fully certified (Organic, GAP, Fairtrade, Carbon Credits), multi-year track record. Like having ISO + WHO + FDA approvals.

Sustainability & Compliance

Q4: Ethical Governance & Fair Trade Principles; Do you practice fairness with suppliers, buyers, and workers—or only focus on your margins?👉 Example: Paying farmers promptly vs delaying; giving fair price to labor vs exploiting.

No ethical framework, only profit focus. Like moneylenders exploiting farmers.

Some fairness, but inconsistent. Like paying on time when profitable, delaying in losses.

Consistent fairness in payments, honest weights, transparent bills. Like honest kirana shop with exact weights.

Documented fair trade policies, grievance redressal, transparent pricing. Like companies audited for fair trade and sustainability.

Sustainability & Compliance

Q5: Adherence to Environmental Norms, Biodiversity Considerations; Do you comply with environmental laws—or cut corners?👉 Example: Borewell permissions, chemical storage, effluent disposal.

No compliance, ignore rules. Like factory dumping waste in river.

Partial compliance, paperwork weak. Like factory with consent letter but expired NOC.

All required compliances in place, audited periodically. Like company with valid environmental clearance.

Go beyond compliance: biodiversity corridors, carbon + water positive farming. Like ITC Paper Division—sustainable + profitable.

Sustainability & Compliance

Q6: Waste Management and Recycling Practices; How do you deal with farm waste—burn it, dump it, or recycle it?👉 Example: Tomato harvest waste—dump in field vs convert into compost/biogas.

Waste dumped/burned, no management. Like city garbage on roadside.

Some composting, irregular. Like recycling only when dustbin overflows.

Structured waste plan: composting, recycling plastics, reusing water. Like city with Swachh Bharat systems in place.

Zero-waste farm: biogas, full recycling, circular economy model. Like eco-village where nothing is wasted.

Sustainability & Compliance

Q7: Carbon Footprint and Climate Resilience Planning; Do you track your carbon/water footprint and plan for climate shocks?👉 Example: Cold chain = higher energy; do you offset? Drought risk = do you prepare tanks, mulches?

No tracking, no planning. Like driving without fuel gauge.

Some awareness, no formal data. Like guessing petrol left by shaking car.

Monitor footprint, take steps like solar pumps, mulching, drip irrigation. Like car with working fuel meter + regular servicing.

Full audits (carbon, water) + adaptation plans (drought, flood, pest shifts). Like electric car with apps showing mileage, charging points, backup.

Sustainability & Compliance

Q8: Safety Standards (Chemical Handling, Machinery Use); Do you ensure safety in spraying chemicals, handling machines, or is it “chalta hai”?👉 Example: Sprayer operator with mask vs without; tractor driver with helmet vs bare head.

No safety gear, no SOPs. Like riding bike without helmet.

Some basic gear, irregular use. Like wearing helmet only when police is visible.

Proper SOPs, gear, and trainings in place. Like factory with helmets, fire drills, and first-aid.

Advanced: safety audits, certifications, mock drills, insurance for workers. Like aviation industry with zero-tolerance safety rules.

Sustainability & Compliance

Q9: Labor Law Compliance & Ethical Practices; Do you follow labor laws (working hours, benefits, child labor ban) or cut corners?👉 Example: Some farms employ underage kids, others follow strict compliance.

No compliance, exploitative practices. Like sweatshops with child labor.

Partial compliance (basic wages, but no benefits). Like giving salary but no PF/leave.

Full compliance with labor laws, records maintained. Like registered factory with audits.

Compliance + ethical practices: fair wages, welfare, health insurance, gender equity. Like progressive firms with inclusive HR.

Review

Sustainability & Compliance

Question :
Q1: Labor Welfare and Legal Compliance; How do you treat farm labor—just as “hands for hire” or as people with rights and dignity?👉 Example 1: Factories—some pay minimum wage, give PF, helmets; others delay payments, no safety.
👉 Example 2: Farms—workers either get weekly payments, shade, toilets, or just “chale jao” treatment.

No compliance; delayed wages, no records. Like contractor paying cash in envelopes, no PF/ESI.

Basic compliance: minimum wage paid, but weak records. Like paying on time, but no slips.

Formal payroll, attendance, records, compliance with labor acts. Like a factory with muster roll, wage register.

Full labor welfare: PF/ESI, health checks, toilets, safety gear, grievance channel. Like modern firms with HR policies.

Your Answer:

Sustainability & Compliance

Question :
Q2: Biodiversity and Regenerative Practices Integration; Do you grow only crops, or also care for birds, bees, and soil life?👉 Example 1: Monocrop sugarcane vs intercropping with pulses + border trees.
👉 Example 2: Bare fields vs hedgerows, nesting spots, pollinator plants.

No biodiversity, only cash crops. Like city with only concrete, no trees.

Some shade/border trees, occasional intercrops. Like a city with a few gardens here and there.

Planned biodiversity: intercrops, hedgerows, ponds, flowering plants for pollinators. Like a city with parks, lakes, and green belts.

Full regenerative design: multi-layer cropping, composting, biodiversity audits, carbon + water credits tracked. Like Auroville-style ecosystem farming.

Your Answer:

Sustainability & Compliance

Question :
Q3: Certification Readiness (Organic, GAP, Fairtrade, Carbon Credits); Can your farm withstand third-party audits and qualify for certifications?👉 Example: Selling mangoes—some say “natural,” others actually get NPOP, GAP, Fairtrade labels.

No awareness or readiness for certification. Like saying “mera khana healthy hai” without medical reports.

Some awareness, records weak. Like wanting medical check-up but not keeping blood tests.

Documentation, traceability, and partial compliance in place. Like keeping all medical tests ready, waiting for doctor’s signature.

Fully certified (Organic, GAP, Fairtrade, Carbon Credits), multi-year track record. Like having ISO + WHO + FDA approvals.

Your Answer:

Sustainability & Compliance

Question :
Q4: Ethical Governance & Fair Trade Principles; Do you practice fairness with suppliers, buyers, and workers—or only focus on your margins?👉 Example: Paying farmers promptly vs delaying; giving fair price to labor vs exploiting.

No ethical framework, only profit focus. Like moneylenders exploiting farmers.

Some fairness, but inconsistent. Like paying on time when profitable, delaying in losses.

Consistent fairness in payments, honest weights, transparent bills. Like honest kirana shop with exact weights.

Documented fair trade policies, grievance redressal, transparent pricing. Like companies audited for fair trade and sustainability.

Your Answer:

Sustainability & Compliance

Question :
Q5: Adherence to Environmental Norms, Biodiversity Considerations; Do you comply with environmental laws—or cut corners?👉 Example: Borewell permissions, chemical storage, effluent disposal.

No compliance, ignore rules. Like factory dumping waste in river.

Partial compliance, paperwork weak. Like factory with consent letter but expired NOC.

All required compliances in place, audited periodically. Like company with valid environmental clearance.

Go beyond compliance: biodiversity corridors, carbon + water positive farming. Like ITC Paper Division—sustainable + profitable.

Your Answer:

Sustainability & Compliance

Question :
Q6: Waste Management and Recycling Practices; How do you deal with farm waste—burn it, dump it, or recycle it?👉 Example: Tomato harvest waste—dump in field vs convert into compost/biogas.

Waste dumped/burned, no management. Like city garbage on roadside.

Some composting, irregular. Like recycling only when dustbin overflows.

Structured waste plan: composting, recycling plastics, reusing water. Like city with Swachh Bharat systems in place.

Zero-waste farm: biogas, full recycling, circular economy model. Like eco-village where nothing is wasted.

Your Answer:

Sustainability & Compliance

Question :
Q7: Carbon Footprint and Climate Resilience Planning; Do you track your carbon/water footprint and plan for climate shocks?👉 Example: Cold chain = higher energy; do you offset? Drought risk = do you prepare tanks, mulches?

No tracking, no planning. Like driving without fuel gauge.

Some awareness, no formal data. Like guessing petrol left by shaking car.

Monitor footprint, take steps like solar pumps, mulching, drip irrigation. Like car with working fuel meter + regular servicing.

Full audits (carbon, water) + adaptation plans (drought, flood, pest shifts). Like electric car with apps showing mileage, charging points, backup.

Your Answer:

Sustainability & Compliance

Question :
Q8: Safety Standards (Chemical Handling, Machinery Use); Do you ensure safety in spraying chemicals, handling machines, or is it “chalta hai”?👉 Example: Sprayer operator with mask vs without; tractor driver with helmet vs bare head.

No safety gear, no SOPs. Like riding bike without helmet.

Some basic gear, irregular use. Like wearing helmet only when police is visible.

Proper SOPs, gear, and trainings in place. Like factory with helmets, fire drills, and first-aid.

Advanced: safety audits, certifications, mock drills, insurance for workers. Like aviation industry with zero-tolerance safety rules.

Your Answer:

Sustainability & Compliance

Question :
Q9: Labor Law Compliance & Ethical Practices; Do you follow labor laws (working hours, benefits, child labor ban) or cut corners?👉 Example: Some farms employ underage kids, others follow strict compliance.

No compliance, exploitative practices. Like sweatshops with child labor.

Partial compliance (basic wages, but no benefits). Like giving salary but no PF/leave.

Full compliance with labor laws, records maintained. Like registered factory with audits.

Compliance + ethical practices: fair wages, welfare, health insurance, gender equity. Like progressive firms with inclusive HR.

Your Answer:

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