16-Dec-2022: Promoting Natural Farming

Government is promoting natural farming through a sub-scheme namely Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2019-2020. So far 4.09 lakh ha area has been brought under BPKP.

Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare (DA&FW) is undertaking large scale training of Master Trainers, Champion Farmers and practicing farmers  on techniques of Natural Farming through National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) and National Center of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF). It has also sensitized the public representative like Gram-Pradhan on the technique and benefits of Natural Farming. Study material on 22 regional languages has been prepared and697 Master Trainers have been developed on natural farming and 997 training were conducted on natural farming for 56952 Gram Pradhans through MANAGE. In addition, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has initiated research in 20 locations to validate natural farming techniques besides demonstrating in 425 KVKs to show cases the benefits of natural farming.

A Digital web portal (naturalfarming.dac.gov.in) has been launched for promotion of natural farming to display information about implementation framework, resources, implementation progress, farmer’s registration, blog etc.

Under BPKP, natural farming is being promoted in cluster of 500 ha and Rs. 12200.00 is provided per ha for three years, in which Rs. 2000 is provided as incentives to farmers through DBT.

Under BPKP, to facilitate marketing of natural farming products, Rs. 2700 per ha is provided for PGS Certification and Residue Analysis for three years. Farmers can also avail assistance @ Rs. 8800/ha for 3 years from PKVY funds for marketing, value addition and publicity of natural farming products.

Natural Farming is a way of chemical free farming based on locally available resources with no chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Farmers are encouraged to adopt Natural Farming by wide publicity through press and print media, publication of leaflets/booklets, organization of workshops, exhibitions, farmer fairs, information on State/Government of India web portals etc.

19-Jul-2022: Organic cultivation area doubles in last three years

In India, a cumulative area of 29.41 lakh ha, 38.19 lakh ha and 59.12 lakh ha have been brought under organic cultivation in the last three years (2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22) using organic manure and other organic inputs, which constitute 2.10%, 2.72% and 4.22% of the cultivable land of 140 million ha. Apart from this, Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is prescribed for entire cultivable land in the country that promotes balanced use of fertilizers including chemical, organic and bio-fertilizers.

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

1-Apr-2022: Around 6000 Farmers Adopted Organic under PKVY in the State of Punjab

The details of funds allocated/released/utilized by the State of Punjab under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) during  the last three years is as:

                                                                                     (Rs in lakhs)

*Release is more than allocation because balance amount of previous year activities were released in

 2020-21

Under the PKVY Scheme 200 clusters have been sanctioned during the period 2017-18 to 2019-20  and  100 clusters during the period 2018-19 to 2020-21. During this period a total of 6000 numbers of farmers adopted organic under PKVY in the State of Punjab.

Government is implementing Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) Schemes for promotion of organic farming in the country. Under these schemes, there is a provision for training and capacity building of farmers. Under PKVY a financial assistance of Rs 7500/- per farmer for three year is provided for capacity building. Whereas under MOVCDNER, there is provision of financial assistance of Rs 10,000 per farmer for three year for training, handholding and certification.

National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF), Ghaziabad, a subordinate office of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) spreads awareness on organic and natural farming through organization of Javik Kheti Sammelan, field demonstration and farmers training and also through print and electronic media .

The details of training and demonstration programme on organic and natural farming conducted by NCONF for the State of Punjab during last three years is as under:

1. 3 number of “Two days training of field functionaries /Extension Officers” for 61 farmers,
2. 3 number of “One days training field cum field demonstration” for 153 farmers
3. 2 number of online “Seven days training programme” for different States which benefitted 93   persons.
4. 41 days “Online Outreach programme” for different States, benefiting 527 farmers including farmers of Punjab.

29-Mar-2022: Use of non-chemical fertilizers in agriculture

As per the data of Input Survey 2016-17, the area under all crops is reported as 192439588 hac out of which an area of 147283856 hac i.e. 76.53 per cent was treated with more than one chemical fertilizer.  No data on consumption of crops produced with the use of chemical fertilizers is maintained.

Government  has been implementing dedicated schemes Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16 for promotion of organic farming in the country which encourages use of organic and bio-fertilizer.  Financial  assistance is provided under organic farming schemes for promoting use of bio and organic fertilizer @Rs. 31,000/ha under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and @ Rs. 32,000/ha under Mission Organic Value chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER).

Under Soil Health Management (SHM) schemes, financial assistance is provided @ Rs. 160.00 lakh for establishing new bio-fertilizer unit  (200 MT/50000 litre capacity).  15 bio-fertilizer production unit has been established under (SHM) so far.

15-Mar-2022: Incentives for Green Farming

Government is promoting non chemical farming under the names of organic and natural farming through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and Bharatiya Prakritik  Krishi Padhati along the river Ganga .          

The PKVY scheme is implemented in all the States across the country. Under this scheme, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 31000/ ha / 3 years for organic inputs such as seeds, bio-fertilisers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost/ Vermi-compost, botanical extracts etc. In addition, support is also provided for group/ Farmers Producers Organization (FPO) formation, training, certification, value addition and marketing of their organic produce.  Under Namami Gange Programme total Rs 120.49 crore fund (Rs 67.36 cr. from RKVY & Rs 34.20 cr. from PKVY) has been released for 6181 clusters and 123620 ha area covered.

As such, there is no harmful effect of chemical fertilizers on soil health with balanced and judicious use. However, investigations carried out under All India Coordinated Research Project on ‘Long Term Fertilizer Experiments’ over five decades at fixed sites have indicated that continuous/over use of nitrogenous fertilizer alone had deleterious effect on soil health and crop productivity showing deficiencies of other major and micro nutrients. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients for judicious use of chemical fertilizers to improve soil health. In addition, growing leguminous crops and use of Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) are also advocated. ICAR imparts training, organizes Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) to educate farmers on all these aspects.

Government is promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) which includes soil test based balanced and integrated use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction with organic sources of nutrients like Farm Yard Manure (FYM), city compost, vermi-compost and bio-fertilizers that leads to saving in use of chemical fertilizers.

10-Dec-2021: Minimizing Use of Chemical Fertilizers

Government is promoting Organic Farming to substitute the use of chemical pesticide and fertilizer for reduced health hazard, safety and healthy and sustainable production through dedicated schemes viz. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) since 2015-16. Both the schemes provide end to end support to organic farmers from organic production to certification and marketing including post-harvest management support like processing, packaging, storage etc.

PKVY is implemented in all the States across the country to promote organic farming in cluster mode, in which, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50000/ha for 3 years in which, RS 31000/ ha / 3 years is provided directly to farmers through DBT for organic inputs such as seeds, bio fertilisers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost/Vermi-compost, botanical extracts etc.

MOVCDNER is implemented in all the North Eastern States for promotion of certified organic production, in which, organic farmers are supported to develop their value chain from organic production to processing and marketing etc. through FPO formation. Under the scheme a sum of Rs. 46,575/ha for 3years are provided for creation of FPO, support to farmers for organic inputs, quality seeds/ planting material and training, hand holding and certification. Besides, financial assistance are also provided as subsidy to FPOs and Private entrepreneurs.

Under Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS), credit linked back ended subsidy is provided through National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) @33% of Total Financial Outlay subject to the maximum of Rs 63 lakh/ unit against Total Financial Outlay (TFO) of Rs.190.00 lakh for maximum capacity of 100 TPD of Fruit & Vegetable Agro Composting Unit, while State and Central Government agencies are provided 100% assistance with maximum limit of Rs 190.00 lakh. Moreover, for establishment of Bio-fertilizer/ Bio-pesticide production units of 200 Ton Per Annum (TPA) capacity, 100% assistance is provided to State Govt./ Govt. Agencies up to a maximum limit of Rs.160.00 lakh/ unit. Similarly, for individuals/ private agencies assistance up to 25% of cost limited to Rs.40 lakh/unit as capital investment is provided through NABARD.

Government is also promoting the use of natural/bio-organic fertilizers through various schemes to minimize the use of chemical fertilizers.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through Indian Institute of Soil Science (IISS), All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) and Micro- and Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements (MSNP) have studied the response of various major and micro nutrients applied through chemical fertilizers in different crops. Similarly, the Council has developed improved and efficient strains of bio-fertilizers specific to different crops and soil types under Network Project on Soil Biodiversity-Bio-fertilizers. Based on these studies ICAR is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients to improve soil health and fertility.

Steps taken by government for promotion of bio/organic fertilizers through various schemes.

• Soil Health Management (SHM): Government is providing Rs 160 lakh /unit for establishment of bio-fertilizer production unit (200MT capacity) to State Government which is shared on 60:40 ratios between GoI and State Government. 15 bio-fertilizer production units have been established under SHM
• National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP): Financial assistance@ 50% subsidy to the tune of Rs. 300/- per ha is being provided for different components including bio-fertilizers, supply of Rhizobium culture/Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB)/ Zinc Solubilising Bacteria(ZSB)/ Azotobacter/ Mycorrhiza and Vermi compost
• National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Under NFSM, financial assistance is provided for promotion of Bio-Fertilizer (Rhizobium/ PSB) @50% of the cost limited to Rs.300 per ha.

Based on ICAR recommendation Government is promoting soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic and organic sources (manure, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients to improve soil health and fertility.

28-Jul-2021: Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

Government of India has been promoting Organic farming in the country through dedicated scheme namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015-16. The scheme stress on end to end support to organic farmers i.e. from production to certification and marketing. Post-harvest management support including processing, packing, marketing is made integral part of these schemes to encourage organic farmers.

Under PKVY, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare/ 3 years, out of which Rs. 31,000 (62%) is provided directly through DBT for inputs (bio fertilizers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost, Vermicompost, botanical extracts etc.).

An amount of total Rs 29.59 crore has been released to Assam for 220 clusters benefitting 11000 farmers for 4425 ha area against the target 4451 since 2015-16 to till date.

Government has initiated Large Area Certification (LAC) programme since 2020-21 to certify large traditional/default organic areas such as hills, islands, tribal or desert belt with no past history of GMO and agro chemical uses. Entire certification process gets completed within 3-6 months' time. This   reduces the conversion period from 2-3 years to few months and allows farmers for marketing of their produce at premium prices.   Car Nicobar and Nancowry group of Island under the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands with 14,491 ha cultivable area is the first Large Contiguous Area declared as certified organic. Government of India have already sanctioned and released Rs 11.48 lakh to Union Territory of Ladakh for LAC.

23-Jul-2021: Promoting Organic Farming under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

Government of India has been implementing dedicated scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015-16 to promote chemical free organic farming in the country in cluster mode.  Under the programme, financial assistance of Rs 50000/ha/3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building, incentive for inputs, value addition and marketing. Out of it, Rs 31000/ ha / 3 years is provided for preparation / procurement of organic inputs such as bio/organic fertilisers, biopesticides, seeds etc. through DBT  and  Rs 8800/ ha/ 3 years is provided for value addition and marketing that includes post-harvest management practices like storage.  A total fund of Rs   1197.64 cr. has been released to states and UTs for the last four years under the programme. Financial assistance of Rs 3000 /hectare for 3 years is provided for Cluster formation (of 20 ha) and Capacity building including exposure visits, and trainings of field functionaries.

4-Feb-2020: Promotion of Traditional Farming

Government has been  encouraging  the farmers for traditional /organic farming in the country through the Scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) . Enough flexibility is given to States to adopt any model of traditional/organic farming including Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) depending on farmers’ choice.  Assistance of Rs 50000/ ha/3 year  is provided   for organic inputs, certification, labeling, packing, transportation and marketing of organic produce under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).

Organic farming of niche crops of North East Region for exports is also being supported under Mission Organic Value Chain Development (MOVCDNER), where in Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are supported for organic inputs, post-harvest management practices including infrastructure creation, marketing in a value chain mode.

ICAR has developed Integrated Organic Farming System models and identified suitable crop species/ varieties for traditional/ organic farming.  Government is disseminating information for the traditional farming by organizing training and awareness campaign/workshop and educating the farmers about traditional/ organic farming practices.

11-Apr-2018: Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana to promote organic farming

As per revised guidelines, under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), farmers can get an assistance of Rs 48,700 per hectare for a three-year period for adopting traditional methods of cultivation.

Farmers practicing traditional methods of organic farming like yogik farming, gou mata kheti, Vedic farming, Vaishnav kheti, Ahinsa farming, Adhvoot Shivanand farming, and rishi Krishi are eligible for financial assistance, in addition to those adopting standard organic farming practices like zero-budget natural farming and permaculture.