Top Government Schemes for Promotion of Organic Farming in India

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Top Schemes to Promote Organic Farming in India
  • Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
  • Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North-Eastern Region
  • National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm
  • Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme under Soil Health Management Scheme
  • National Food Security Mission
• Benefits of Organic Farming Schemes
• Challenges of Organic Farming Schemes
• Conclusion

Introduction

The increasing ecological impact of mineral-based farming has necessitated the adoption of Organic farming in India. It is free from toxic pesticides, synthetic and chemical fertilisers. It keeps the soil healthy by using organic manure. That is why, Indian government is promoting organic farming through various schemes.

Today, an area of 5.71 million hectares in India is under organic certification. It consists of 26% cultivable area and 74% forest and wild areas for collecting forest produce. India is the leader in organic farm produce globally. Total production of organic farm produce stands at 11.80 lakh metric tonnes.

Top Schemes to Promote Organic Farming in India

Indian government has been serious about organic farming across the length and breadth of the country. for this, it has launched various schemes related to organic farming. These schemes are:

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, or PKVY, is a significant plan under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). Started in 2015, PKVY focuses on creating groups of farmers called "Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Kendras" for organic farming. Key features include:

• Cluster Approach: PKVY uses a cluster-based approach, where a group of farmers practices organic farming together. It helps them share knowledge and support each other.
• Capacity Building: The scheme emphasises building the skills of farmers through training programs and demonstrations.
• Financial Support: Farmers doing organic farming under PKVY get financial help to cover the expenses of organic inputs, vermicomposting units, seed treatment, and other related activities.

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

Started in 2015, the MOVCDNER is designed for the northeastern states of India. Its goal is to boost certified organic production in the region, supporting the local economy. Key features include:

• Certification Support: MOVCDNER helps farmers financially to get organic certification, making it easier for them. This improves their chances of selling in organic markets.
• Capacity Building and Training: The plan trains farmers and others in organic farming methods, processing, and adding value to products.
• Market Linkages: MOVCDNER connects organic products to markets, making sure farmers have a reliable market. It helps them earn money and sustain the economy in the northeastern states.

National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)

While the main focus is not just on organic farming, the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) has parts that support organic practices in growing oilseeds. Started in 2014, NMOOP aims to grow more oilseeds and lessen India’s dependence upon imports of edible oil. Important points include:

• Encouraging Organic Farming: NMOOP supports using organic ways of growing oilseeds.
• Getting Financial Help: Farmers growing oilseeds can get financial help from NMOOP for different activities, including organic farming.

Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme under the Soil Health Management (SHM) Scheme

The Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme is part of the bigger Soil Health Management (SHM) Scheme. It gives money help to farmers who use organic farming to make the soil healthier. Important points include:

• Getting Money Help for Organic Inputs: Farmers get discounts when they buy organic things like fertilisers, organic manure, and biopesticides. It helps use good practices and lessens the need for chemical inputs.
• Setting Up Vermicomposting Units: The scheme helps farmers start vermicomposting units. These units let farmers make organic compost from leftover crops and animal waste. It helps make the soil more fertile and better.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) wants to grow more food and make sure there's enough food for everyone in the country. Even though it is not completely focused on promoting organic farming, NFSM has parts that support farming in a good way for the environment. Important things about it include:

• Sustainable Agriculture Part: NFSM has a part about Sustainable Agriculture. This part tells farmers to use organic and natural ways of farming. The goal is to use fewer chemicals and more organic things and methods.

Benefits of Organic Farming Schemes

• They help keep the soil and water healthy, protect different plants and animals, and lessen the impact of farming on the air.
• They help increase the nutrient value of soil as the organic waste used in such farming is environment friendly.
• Doing farming in an organic way helps farmers earn more money. They can sell their organic crops for better prices, and the plans also help them get certified and connect with good markets.
• Organic farming doesn't use harmful chemicals, so the food is free from pesticides and full of good nutrients.

Challenges of Organic Farming Schemes

• Initially the crop yield in organic farming is less as soil takes time to adjust to the organic waste. It necessitates the need for financial help under any scheme.
• Getting certified as an organic farmer can cost a lot of money, especially for small farmers.
• Even though more people want organic food, it's not always easy for farmers to find good markets that pay well.
• Farmers need training and information to know how to do it right. It's important to keep teaching and helping them so they can keep doing organic farming successfully.

Conclusion

The government plans we talked about show that India really wants to support organic farming and sustainable farming methods. These plans give money to farmers and help take care of the environment, make the soil healthier, and give more power to farmers. For these plans to work well, it's important that they are put into action properly and supported over time and that farmers take part actively in moving from regular to organic farming. If farmers follow these plans, they can start farming in a way that's better for the environment and makes the future of farming in India healthier and stronger.