Government has been promoting organic farming in the country since 2015-16 through the schemes of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER).    Both the schemes provides end to end support to farmers engaged in organic farming i.e. from production to processing, certification and marketing and post harvest management support. PKVY is being implemented in all the States other-than North Eastern States, across the country. MOVCDNER scheme is implemented exclusively in the NE States.  A total of Rs. 2679.96 crore has been released under PKVY and MOVCDNER from 2015-16 till date in 2022-23 to support chemical free organic farming in the country.

Under PKVY, farmers of various states of the country are provided financial assistance of Rs 50000/ha for 3 years out of which, Rs 31000/ ha / 3 years is provided directly to farmers through DBT for on-farm and off-farm organic inputs. Financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh/ cluster of 1000 ha for 3 years are provided for value addition and infrastructure creation.

Since 2015-16, under PKVY, 11.85 lakh ha area has been covered under organic farming by developing 32384 clusters involving 16.19 lakh farmers. In addition, 8 states developed their own brands for organic products. So far, Rs 1793.80 Crore has been released under the scheme.

Under MOVCDNER, an assistance of Rs. 46,575/ha for 3 years is provided for creation of FPO, support to farmers for organic inputs, quality seeds/ planting material and training, hand holding and certification. Financial assistance @ Rs 32500/ ha for 3 years is provided to farmers for on- farm /off –farm organic inputs under the scheme.

Since 2015-16, under MOVCDNER, 1.73 lakh ha area has been covered under organic farming by developing 379 FPO/FPCs involving 1.89 lakh farmers. In addition, 7 NE developed their own brands for organic products. So far, Rs 886.16 Crore has been released under the scheme.

Indiscriminate use of Fertilizers and Agro-Chemicals in agriculture sector has led to deterioration of health of soil, water resources and bio diversity. Hence, priorities in agriculture is gradually shifting from production to resource conservation, restoration of soil health and fertility, minimizing the adverse impact on soil and environment. 

Government is promoting organic agriculture in a phased manner with support to farmers for transformation and through research for development of package and practices promising comparable productivity.  ICAR-All India Network Project on organic farming has developed organic package of practices for 68 cropping systems promising comparable productivity to provide technological backup to farmers.  Through capacity building, training and hand-holding, these packages are being promoted.  So far, more than 59.12 lakh hectare area has been transformed to organic and it has no effect on overall productivity in the country.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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