5 Govt schemes, promoting organic farming in India

5 Govt schemes, promoting organic farming in India

Cultivable land area under organic farming has increased from 11.83 lakh hectare in 2014 to 29.17 lakh hectare in 2020 due to the focused efforts of the government. Over the years, the organic promotion activities led to development of state specific organic brands, increased domestic supply and exports of organic produce from north eastern region. Taking cue from the success of the organic initiatives, a target of 20 lakh hectare additional area coverage by 2024 is envisaged in the vision document. Awareness programmes, availability of adequate post- harvest infrastructure, marketing facilities, premium price for the organic produce among others would certainly motivate farmers towards organic farming thereby increasing organic coverage in the country.

The Government of India provides assistance for promoting organic farming across the country though different schemes.

1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana promotes cluster based organic farming with PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) certification. Cluster formation, training, certification and marketing are supported under the scheme. Assistance of Rs. 50,000 per ha /3 years is provided out of which 62 percent (Rs. 31,000) is given as incentive to a farmer towards organic inputs.

2. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)

The scheme promotes third party certified organic farming of niche crops of north east region through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with focus on exports. Farmers are given assistance of Rs 25,000 per hectare for three years for organic inputs including organic manure and bio-fertilisers among other inputs. Support for formation of FPOs, capacity building, post-harvest infrastructure up to Rs 2 crore are also provided in the scheme.

3.Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) under Soil Health Management Scheme

Under this scheme, 100 percent assistance is provided to state government, government agencies for setting up of mechanised fruit and vegetable market waste, agro waste compost production unit up to a maximum limit of Rs 190 lakh per unit (3000 Total Per Annum TPA capacity). Similarly, for individuals and private agencies assistance up to 33 percent of cost limit to Rs 63 lakh per unit as capital investment is provided.

4. National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)

Under the Mission, financial assistance at 50 percent subsidy to the tune of Rs. 300 per hectare is being provided for different components including bio-fertilisers, supply of Rhizobium culture, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB), Zinc Solubilising Bacteria (ZSB), Azatobacter, Mycorrhiza and vermi compost.

5. National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

Under NFSM, financial assistance is provided for promotion of bio-fertiliser (Rhizobium/PSB) at 50 percent of the cost limited to Rs 300 per hectare.

As per international resource data from Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Statistics 2020, India stands at 9th position in terms of certified agricultural land with 1.94 million hectare (2018-19).

Comparative data in regard to organic cultivation with other countries

Sr. No. State Position Area under organic certification (in million ha.)
1 China 3rd 3.14
2 USA 7th 2.02
3 India 9th 1.94
4 Brazil 12th 1.18

Promotion of natural farming under Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP) of PKVY has been initiated to encourage use of natural on-farm inputs for chemical free farming. Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have taken up one lakh hectare and 0.8 lakh hectare area respectively for promotion of natural farming under BPKP. Similarly, continuous area certification and support for individual farmers for certification have also been initiated during 2020-21 to bring in default organic areas and willing individual farmers under the fold of organic farming

State agencies, Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), entrepreneurs among others can avail loans for setting up of post-harvest infrastructure for value addition to organic produce under 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

(The story is based on the information given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar in the Rajya Sabha today — September 18,2020.)

Agriculture Post is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news and updates on agriculture. 

Share on

4 Comments on “5 Govt schemes, promoting organic farming in India”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

7 × = 49