28-Jul-2022: Rejuvenation Of Rivers

Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is an ongoing activity. It is the primary responsibility of the States/Union Territories (UTs) to ensure the cleanliness of water in the rivers within their jurisdiction. States and UTs are to ensure that the Urban Local Bodies and Industrial Units located in their jurisdiction carry out the treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the prescribed norms before discharging into rivers and other water bodies, coastal waters or land to prevent and control of pollution therein. For conservation of rivers, Ministry of Jal Shakti has been supplementing efforts of the States/UTs by providing financial and technical assistance for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for rivers in Ganga basin and through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other rivers. Setting up of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is one of the important components of these programmes.

Proposals for pollution abatement works in the towns and cities along polluted river stretches are received from the States/UTs from time to time for consideration under NRCP and sanctioned based on their prioritization, conformity with guidelines of these schemes/programs, availability of plan funds, etc. NRCP has so far covered polluted stretches on 35 rivers in 78 towns spread over 16 States in the country with the project sanctioned cost of  Rs. 6,142 crore, and inter alia, a sewage treatment capacity of  2,745.70 million liters per day (mld) has been created.

An amount of Rs. 2799 crore has been released to various States/UTs Governments as Central share for implementation of various pollution abatement schemes under NRCP. The funding pattern for NRCP is in the ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State (with effect from 01.04.2016) and for North East & Hill States, it is in the ratio of 90:10. The Mula Mutha river conservation action plan at Pune, Maharashtra is being implemented with a funding pattern of 85:15 between Central Government and the State Government.

Under the Namami Gange programme, 374 projects, including 161 projects for sewage treatment of 5,015.26 mld and a sewer network of 5,134 km, have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.31,098 crore. The Namami Gange programme envisages 100% Central Government funding for the entire life cycle cost of the assets created which includes 10-year Operation & Maintenance (O & M) cost.

In addition, sewerage infrastructure is created under programs like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.

21-Jul-2022: Rejuvenation of Rivers

For conservation and rejuvenation of rivers, Jal Shakti Ministry has been supplementing efforts of the States/Union Territories (UTs) by providing financial and technical assistance for abatement of pollution in identified polluted stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for River Ganga and its tributaries, and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other rivers. Sewerage infrastructure and setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in polluting towns/cities along the rivers are the important components of these programs.

In addition, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recently released Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for Rejuvenation of 13 major rivers prepared by Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun in consultation with the State Forest Departments and other line Departments. These 13 rivers are Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, Luni, Yamuna, Mahanadi, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Cauvery, including Godavari and Krishna in Andhra Pradesh. Proposed outlay of these 13 DPRs is Rs.19,342.63 crore under 4 major components viz: implementation of forestry interventions, strengthening knowledge management & national capacity development, maintenance phase including scaling-up replication of successful models, and national coordination for forestry interventions and river conservation.

Works proposed under these DPRs include afforestation on river banks leading to increased green cover, measures to contain soil erosion, recharge ground water table, sequester carbon dioxide, catchment area treatment, ecological restoration, moisture conservation, livelihood improvement & income generation, ecotourism by developing river fronts, eco-parks and bringing awareness amongst the masses for improvement of water quality & flow in rivers.

These works are expected to be executed through the State Forest Departments together with State Agriculture, Horticulture, Urban Municipal Bodies & Rural Development, etc.

7-Apr-2022: Conservation And Rejuvenation Of Rivers

Toxic waste or hazardous waste generated from hazardous waste industries is required to be disposed off in an environmentally sound manner and in accordance with the provisions of Hazardous and Other Waste (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 and amendment made thereof under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986. As per Rules, toxic wastes are not allowed to be discharged into rivers.

Cleaning and rejuvenation of rivers is a continuous process. It is the responsibility of the States/Union Territories (UTs), Local Bodies and Industrial Units to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the prescribed norms before discharging into rivers and other water bodies, coastal waters or land to prevent and control of pollution therein. For conservation and rejuvenation of rivers, this Ministry has been supplementing efforts of the States/UTs by providing financial and technical assistance for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for rivers in Ganga basin, and Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for rivers in the other basins.

NRCP has so far covered polluted stretches on 34 rivers in 77 towns spread over 16 States in the country with the project sanctioned cost of Rs.6050.18 crore, and inter-alia, a sewage treatment capacity of 2677 million litres per day (mld) has been created. Under the Namami Gange programme a total of 364 projects, including 160 projects for sewage treatment of 5024 mld and sewer network of 5227 kms, have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.30853 crore.

Under NRCP, Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun has been engaged for assessment of the Ecological status of selected Indian rivers namely Cauvery, Godavari, Periyar, Mahanadi, Narmada & Barak at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 24.56 crore in September, 2020. So far, Rs. 1.4 crore has been released to the Institute in the last three years including current year. Under Namami Gange programme, fund is provided to institutes/organizations like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Survey of India, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (N.E.E.R.I), The Energy Research Institute (T.E.R.I), IIT Delhi and IIT Roorkee for activities related to research and development. An amount of Rs.50.1 crore has been released to these institutes since 2018-19.

As per the Provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and treat their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into river and water bodies. Accordingly, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) monitor industries with respect to effluent discharge standards and take action for non-compliance under provisions of these Acts.

According to CPCB, there are 2839 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) in the country which are discharging their effluents in various water bodies. Out of total 2839 industries, 2186 industries are operational and 653 industries are self-closed. The number of complying and non-complying units are 2055 and 131 respectively. Action taken against the non-complying units includes issue of show-cause notices to 55 units, issue of closure directions to 56 units and filing of legal cases against 2 units.

Besides, in compliance of the orders of National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Original Application No.673/2018 regarding rejuvenation of polluted river stretches in the country, States/UTs are required to implement approved action plans for restoration of the polluted stretches in their jurisdiction as identified by CPCB and published in their report of 2018, within the stipulated timelines. As per the orders of NGT, regular review on implementation of action plans is undertaken in the States/UTs and also at Central level.

Setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs) for treatment of waste water is an integral and major component of river conservation /rejuvenation programmes. Sewerage infrastructure including STP is also created under programs like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. The National Water Policy (2012) recommends that recycle and reuse of water should become the general norm. In addition, industries are encouraged to reduce their waste water generation by technical advancement, reuse/recycle of waste water and maintain Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) where ever possible. Under NRCP and Namami Gange programme, reuse/recycle of treated water is promoted through its use for industrial, agricultural and horticultural purposes, etc.

7-Apr-2022: Rejuvenation of Rivers

For conservation and rejuvenation of rivers, this Ministry has been supplementing efforts of the States/Union Territories (UTs) by providing financial and technical assistance for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for Ganga and its tributaries, and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other rivers. Under Namami Gange programme, 22 projects have been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs.3945.39 crore and Rs.1552.23 crore has been released to the concerned State Governments up till February, 2022 to abate pollution load in Yamuna river, of which 10 projects have been completed.

In addition, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recently released Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for rejuvenation of 13 major rivers prepared by Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun in consultation with the State Forest Departments and other line Departments. These rivers are Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Luni, Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna and Cauvery. The proposed outlay in these 13 DPRs is Rs. 19,342.62 crore under 4 major components viz: implementation of forestry interventions, strengthening knowledge management & national capacity development, maintenance phase including scaling-up replication of successful models, and national coordination for forestry Interventions & river conservation.

Works proposed under these DPRs include afforestation on river banks leading to increased green cover, measures to contain soil erosion, recharge ground water table, sequester carbon dioxide, catchment area treatment, ecological restoration, moisture conservation, livelihood improvement & income generation, ecotourism by developing river fronts, eco-parks and bringing awareness amongst the masses for improvement of water quality & flow in rivers. It is expected that after implementation of proposed activities in the DPRs, ground water recharge would be to the tune of 1,889.89 million cubic meter per year and sedimentation reduction would be to the tune of 64,83,114 million cubic meter per year, which is likely to provide benefit for drinking water and irrigation including generation of employment.

The works are expected to be executed through the State Forest Departments together with State Agriculture & Horticulture Department, Urban Municipal bodies, Rural Development Department, etc.

4-Apr-2022: Restoration of Thirteen Major Rivers

For conservation and rejuvenation of rivers, this Ministry has been supplementing efforts of the States/Union Territories (UTs) by providing financial and technical assistance for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for Ganga and its tributaries, and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other rivers. Sewerage infrastructure and setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in polluting towns/cities along the rivers is one of the important components of these programs.

In addition, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recently released Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for rejuvenation of 13 major rivers prepared by Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun in consultation with the State Forest Departments and other line Departments. These rivers are Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Luni, Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna and Cauvery. The proposed outlay in these 13 DPRs is Rs. 19,342.62 crore under 4 major components viz: implementation of forestry interventions, strengthening knowledge management & national capacity development, maintenance phase including scaling-up replication of successful models, and national coordination for forestry Interventions & river conservation. The works are expected to be executed through the concerned State Forest Departments.

Works proposed under these DPRs include afforestation on river banks leading to increased green cover, measures to contain soil erosion, recharge ground water table, sequester carbon dioxide, catchment area treatment, ecological restoration, moisture conservation, livelihood improvement & income generation, ecotourism by developing river fronts, eco-parks and bringing awareness amongst the masses for improvement of water quality & flow in rivers. It is expected that after implementation of proposed activities in the DPRs, ground water recharge would be to the tune of 1,889.89 million cubic metre per year and sedimentation reduction would be to the tune of 64,83,114 million cubic metre per year, which is likely to provide benefit for drinking water and irrigation.

7-Feb-2022: Revival of rivers

Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is an ongoing activity. It is the responsibility of the States/Union Territories (UTs), Local Bodies and Industrial Units to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the prescribed norms before discharging into river and other water bodies, coastal waters or land to prevent and control of pollution therein. For conservation of rivers, this Ministry has been supplementing efforts of the States/UTs by providing financial and technical assistance for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of Namami Gange for river Ganga and its tributaries and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for rivers in other basins. Setting up of sewage treatment plant (STPs) is one of the important components of these programmes.

NRCP has so far covered polluted stretches on 34 rivers in 77 towns spread over 16 States in the country with a sanctioned cost of Rs.5961.75 crore, and inter-alia, a sewage treatment capacity of 2677 million litres per day (mld) has been created. Out of these, 3 projects have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 1164.33 crore for creation of 267 mld capacity STPs and sewerage network since 2019. Under the Namami Gange programme a total of 363 projects, including 160 projects for sewage treatment of 5023.98 mld and sewer network of 5227 kms, have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.30841.53 crore. Out of these, 41 projects have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 6237.02 crore in 5 States under Namami Gange Programme that includes creation of 1421.74 mld capacity of STPs and sewerage network.

In addition, under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) programme of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, 889 sewerage & septage management projects amounting to Rs.34205 crore have been taken up, of which 400 projects amounting to Rs.9056 crore have been completed so far. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 launched in October, 2021, Rs.15883 crore has been allocated to States/UTs for waste water/used water management, including setting up of STPs and fecal sludge treatment plants (FSTP).

Proposals for pollution abatement works in the towns along polluted river stretches are received from the States/UTs from time to time for consideration under NRCP and sanctioned based on their prioritization, conformity with NRCP guidelines, availability of plan funds, etc.

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26-Jul-2022: Land Used for Organic Farming

Government proposes to add 6.5 lakh ha area under organic farming in the country through dedicated scheme i.e. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). At present, 59.12 lakh ha area has already been brought under organic farming as certified by National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). India ranks at 4th place in terms of certified area globally as per the report published by Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Statistics 2022.

Organic products are being exported, as per following details:

Major exports of organic products (past three years)

Source: APEDA

Marketing and branding have been integral part of organic farming schemes. Assistance of Rs 6800/ ha under PKVY and Rs 5000/ ha under MOVCDNER are being provided for marketing, branding and trade. The details of brands developed under these Programmes in the country are as follows:

Brands under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Brand name PKVY

Brands under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)

7-Dec-2021: Promotion of Organic Farming

Government has been promoting organic/natural farming through dedicated schemes namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER).  Farmers are provided financial assistance  of Rs 31000/ ha / 3 years  under  PKVY and  Rs 32500/ ha/ 3years under MOVCDNER for organic inputs such as seeds, bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost/ Vermi-compost, botanical extracts etc.  In addition to above, support is also provided for group/ Farmers Producers Organization (FPO) formation, training, certification, value addition and marketing of their organic produce.  Organic cultivation on either side of River Ganga under National Mission of Clean Ganga(NMCG) , natural farming, large area certification and support for individual farmers have also been introduced under PKVY to increase  area under organic farming .

Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP), a sub scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2020-21  is promoted for  traditional indigenous practices .The scheme mainly emphasises on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of cow dung-urine formulations and  plant based preparations. Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis.

Organic Farming has also been supported under other schemes viz.  Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Network Project on Organic Farming under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Individual and small organic farmers groups (5-50 farmers) may also get registered with State Agriculture Department and nearby Regional Council (RC)of Participatory Guarantee System- India  (PGS-India) to certify their farm as organic under PGS. Assistance of Rs. 2700/ha for 3 years is provided for PGS Certification (Cost of Certification is directly reimbursed to Regional Council of PGS- India)

At present organic farming is taken up in an area of 38.09 lakh hectares in the country including 6.19 lakh hectares under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), 1.23 lakh hectare under Namami Gange Programme, 4.09 lakh hectare under BPKP (Natural Farming), and  26.57 lakh hectares  under National Program for Organic Production (NPOP). 

30-Jul-2021: Advantage of Chemical Free Farming

Organic farming is recognized as a sustainable agriculture practice promoting  use of   organic/ bio inputs that  takes care of environment (including soil, biodiversity)  and  human wellbeing. Organic farming practices such as crop rotations, inter-cropping, cover crops, use of organic fertilizers and minimum tillage improves biodiversity, nutrient content and water retention capacity of the soil. Organic agriculture also contributes to mitigating the greenhouse effect and global warming through its ability to sequester carbon in the soil (FAO).

Organic foods are safe and healthy and also boost immunity. With increased awareness on organic foods, people are inclining more towards organic products and it is fact that since the advent of COVID-19, the demand of organic product has increased in domestic market. The domestic market is growing @ 17% and the projected demand of organic food market is likely to cross Rs. 87.1 crore by 2021 from the Rs. 53.3 crore in 2016 (ASSOCHAM –EY). The export market size of organic products has increased by 42% during the current year (2021) compared to last year and the volume of organic products exported from April 2020 to February 2021 is 819250 MT with value of 948 million USD.

In view of increasing demand of organic food and realizing the advantage of chemical free farming for environment and human life, Government of India has been promoting Organic farming in the country through dedicated schemes namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16. Both the schemes stress on end to end support to organic farmers i.e. from production to certification and marketing.     

13-Aug-2020: India ranks first in number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming

The growth story of organic farming is unfolding with increasing demand not only in India but also globally. In a world battered by the COVID pandemic, the demand for healthy and safe food is already showing an upward trend and hence this is an opportune moment to be captured for a win-win situation for our farmers, consumers and the environment.

India ranks first in number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming. Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic and other States including Tripura and Uttarakhand have set similar targets. North East India has traditionally been organic and the consumption of chemicals is far less than rest of the country. Similarly the tribal and island territories are being nurtured to continue their organic story.

With the aim of assisting farmers to adopt organic farming and improve remunerations due to premium prices, two dedicated programs namely Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) were launched in 2015 to encourage chemical free farming. With the simultaneous thrust given by the Agri-export Policy 2018, India can emerge as a major player in global organic markets. The major organic exports from India have been flax seeds, sesame, soybean, tea, medicinal plants, rice and pulses, which were instrumental in driving an increase of nearly 50% in organic exports in 2018-19, touching Rs 5151 crore. Modest commencement of exports from Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland to UK, USA, Swaziland and Italy have proved the potential by increasing volumes and expanding to new destinations as the demand for health foods increases.

Certification is an important element of organic produce to instill customer confidence. Both PKVY and MOVCD are promoting certification under Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) and National Program for Organic Production (NPOP) respectively targeting domestic and exports markets. The Food Safety and Standards (Organic Foods) Regulations, 2017 are based on the standards of NPOP and PGS. The consumer should look for the logos of FSSAI, Jaivik Bharat / PGS Organic India on the produce to establish the organic authenticity of the produce. PGS Green is given to chemical free produce under transition to ‘organic’ which takes 3 years.

About 40,000 clusters are being assisted under PKVY covering an area of about 7 lakh ha. MOVCD has brought in its fold 160 FPOs cultivating about 80,000 ha. For these clusters to become sustainable, it is important that henceforth market led production starts in a contract farming mode, so that there is a ready market for the produce and industry also gets the desired quality and quantity when required. This is being pursued in right earnest with bulk buyers including the Phyto extracts industries. The commodities with highest potential include ginger, turmeric, black rice, spices, nutri cereals, pineapples, medicinal plants, buckwheat, bamboo shoots, etc. Supplies have started from NER including for Mother Dairy from Meghalaya, Revanta Foods and Big Basket from Manipur. Number of instances of farmer groups setting up markets in RWAs and selling directly is increasingly becoming common especially in Maharashtra and Karnataka where fresh organic produce is lapped up by the urbanites and farmers get a better bargain with no intermediaries. The presence of aggregators is imperative to bring about economies of scale for the small and marginal farmers. Hence the concept of market led One district - One product is being encouraged, as also development of more clusters in the vicinity of bigger towns where the appetite for organics will be much more.

When the pandemic struck India, access to quality food was as high on priority for the country as much as health. Advisories to States on supporting direct marketing in order to decongest mandis led to number of States issuing orders and amending legislations, thereby opening up market options to farmers. Working within the constraints posed due to disruption in logistics, access to regular markets, decrease in demand, number of States and clusters innovated and converted this crisis into an opportunity. The Green Caravan of Kohima created market linkages from all villages of Nagaland to urban areas for vegetables, handicrafts and handlooms (www.instamojo.com). There was online sale of fruits and vegetables by FPOs in Maharashtra and doorstep delivery in specially designed electric vans in Punjab. Manipur Organic Agency (MoMA) mobilised all the 15 FPCs of MOVCD to collect produce and transport to two organic wholesale centers at Sanjenthong and Chingmeriong in Imphal for onward delivery to consumers.

The organic e-commerce platform www.jaivikkheti.in is being strengthened for directly linking farmers with retail as well as bulk buyers. Infusion of digital technology in a much bigger way has been a major takeaway during the pandemic period and is a welcome norm here to stay, saving in expenses on travel, logistics, etc. while not compromising in any way on the quality of information sharing. In fact, video conferencing and webinars makes possible outreach with many more in the field, with minimum disruption in their works too and which was not possible in physical meetings. The NER States also participated in a webinar on Integrated Organic Farming models developed by ICAR, for increasing productivity, integrated nutrient and pest management and hence increase in farmers’ income. Video conferences are being held to understand the issues being faced by companies and strengthen the conversations with States and Regional Councils responsible for handholding clusters and in the process new partnerships are being forged for direct procurement from the farmers/farmer groups.

Natural farming is not a new concept in India, with farmers having tilled their land without the use of chemicals - largely relying on organic residues, cow dung, composts, etc. since time immemorial. The philosophy underlying organic farming of integration of the elements – soil, water, microbes and ‘waste’ products, forestry and agriculture is the correct recipe for sustainable use of natural resources, which are coming under severe stress due to ever increasing requirement of food and feedstock for Agri based industry. This is also in sync with the Sustainable Development Goal 2 targeting ‘end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture’.

Hence with greater awareness and capacity building of the producers on compliance with international standards, Indian organic farmers will soon be reinforcing their rightful place in global Agri trade.

21-Jun-2019: Organic Farming in the country

As on date 4, 53,622 farmers are practicing organic farming under Participatory Guarantee System (PGS India) and 11, 47,401 farmers are registered in TraceNet under third party certification.

The estimated value of domestic organic market was Rs. 500-1000 crores as per Yes Bank study published in 2015. As per the ASSOCHAM and E&Y report published in 2018, the domestic organic market was valued at Rs. 2500 crores including Rs. 1500 crores in organised retail and Rs. 1000 crores by farmers’ direct market.

During last two years different brands have been developed at State level for organic food market under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East region (MOVCDNER) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) schemes.

Export has been initiated from Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram to Africa, UK & US, Australia and Italy respectively. Market linkage of producer clusters with some major agri-business, phytochemical and online grocery stores have also been established.

Government of India has been promoting organic farming under two dedicated schemes namely Mission Organic Value Chain Development North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015 through State Governments. Under these schemes, support has been provided for formation of farmers’ clusters/ Farmer Producer Organisation; incentives to farmers for input procurement, value addition including post-harvest infrastructure creation, packaging, branding, publicity, transportation, organic fairs etc..

Organic Farming has also been supported under other schemes viz Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Network Project on Organic Farming under ICAR. Third party certification of organic farming is promoted by Agriculture Processed Food and Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce.