The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana – Encouraging Organic Farming

The paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana was sprung in the year 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This scheme is a sub-component of the Soil Health Management Scheme (SHM) under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS), National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). According to FSSAI, ‘organic farming’ refers to a practice of farm design and management to produce an ecosystem of agriculture production without the application of synthetic external inputs like chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and synthetic hormones or genetically modified organisms. In India, organic farming is not a unique theory where the farmers have been mainly relying on organic residues, cow dung, composts, etc., since time immemorial.

With the growing environmental awareness, consumers’ trust in the food quality in the last decades has substantially decreased. Due to this, the consumers are quested towards a safer and better food product produced ecologically and authentically by the local systems. In recent years, organic farming is gaining increasing popularity as organically produced food has become the best choice for both consumers and farmers.

The reason behind the growing demand is that organic produce is not grown in synthetic pesticides, growth hormones, pesticides, sludge, or chemical fertilizers. In contrast, conventional farming is the process where synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers are used to gain higher crop yield and profits. The organic farming process is more eco-friendly than conventional farming. It keeps the soil healthy and maintains the integrity of the environment by promoting consumer health.

The paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana aims to support and promote organic farming in India, resulting in improved soil health. The Participatory Guarantee System under the PGS-India Program will be the fundamental approach for assuring the quality of soil under the paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana.

Importance of Organic Farming

The principle behind the practice of organic farming is to inspire and enhance the biological cycles in the farming system, to enhance the deep-rooted soil fertility, pollution reduction, to conserve genetic diversity in food, and to evade the application of pesticide and synthetic fertilizers.

 Following are the benefits of organic farming-

• Organic farming is a healthier option as it contains various nutritional benefits. The organically grown foods are cultivated without the use of pesticides therefore, they are less contaminated and are a better option for a healthy lifestyle.
• Organic farming plays a major role in the conservation of the environment. It is a better option than conventional farming as it improves the physio-biological property of soil which consists of better soil stability, biomass, higher enzyme, less water, enhanced water percolation, more organic matter, lesser wind erosion, and holding capacity. It uses less energy and produces lesser waste per unit area. Organically managed soil is of greater quality resulting in higher yields and organic farms even during drought years.

In a country like India, where most parts are dry and prone to drought, organic farming is a better option.

• Organic farming requires a higher level of labor and produces more income-generating jobs per farm. This is a win-win situation for India as it has a huge potential for employment generation. With increasing health awareness, consumers are willing to pay for organic products. As the labors working in organic farms are less likely to be exposed to agricultural chemicals, their occupational health is improved. In addition to this, organic foods have a longer shelf life as compared to conventional foods due to greater antioxidants and fewer nitrates.

Other Benefits

• Organic farming works on the concept of sustainable agriculture. It helps to improve and maintain the natural landscape and agro-system. By avoiding the overexploitation of natural resources, organic farming maintains and improves soil health resulting in optimum economic returns, with a safe, secure, and healthy working environment.
• Organic farming generates 30% more employment in rural areas and labor achieves higher returns per unit of labor input. This helps to enhance their mental health and thus reducing suicidal rates among the farmers and supports the ability of future generations to maintain a healthy community.

Features of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

The target of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana is to form 10,000 clusters of 50 acres each and to bring two lakh hectares of the agricultural areas under organic farming by 2017-18. The financial assistance available to the farmer members for a 50-acre cluster will be of Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 4.95 lakhs for mobilizing and PGS Certification with a subsidy ceiling of one hectare per farmer.

The implementation of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana will be done in the time-frame of three years in line with PGS-India’s prescribed conversion period of 36 months from conventional farming to organic. It aims to promote organic farming through a cluster approach to adopt the PGS certification. The PGS certificate will help the farmers to certify their organic produce, label, and market their products. At least 30% of the budget will be allocated for the women beneficiaries and farmers.

The Government of India has originated the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana in sync with the Sustainable Development Goals targeting to end hunger, improve nutrition, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Objectives

1. The most important objective of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana is to produce chemical and pesticide-free agricultural products by adopting more eco-friendly and low-cost technologies.
2. To introduce more advanced and latest technologies in organic farming and widening the scope of organic farming in the future.
3. To promote organic farming among rural youths, farmers, consumers, and traders.
4. To organize a minimum of one cluster demonstration in a village.
5. To utilize the services of experts from the public agricultural research system in India.

Funding of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

The allocation of the funds under the paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana will be in the ratio of 60:40 by the central government and state governments, respectively. The Central Assistance in the case of North-Eastern and the Himalayan States, the ratio of funds allocation will be 90:10 by the central government and state government. The assistance for the Union Territories will be 100% by the Central government.

Governments Initiatives to Promote Organic Farming in India

Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North-East Region (MOVCD)

The Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCD-NER) is a sub-mission under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). The scheme was initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for implementation in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Tripura. This scheme aims to develop a certified organic production and to give support to the development of the entire value chain, and to link the growers with the consumers.

Certification Schemes of the Government

1. FSSAI License (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India): The FSSAI is the food regulator in India and is liable for regulating organic food in the domestic markets and imports.
2. Participatory Guarantee System (PGS): it is a process of certifying organic products. It ensures the production to take place following the quality standards. PGS Green certificate is given to the chemical-free produce mainly for domestic purposes.
3. National Program for Organic Production (NPOP): The NPOP grants organic farming certificate by third party certificate for exports.
4. The Soil Health Card Scheme has raised the productivity of organic farming by 5-6%. It has also led to a decline in the use of chemical fertilizers by 8-10 %.
5. PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) was launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) as a part of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.’
6. The Zero Budget natural farming is a technique of using chemical-free agriculture using traditional Indian practices.
7. The Agri-export Policy 2018 aims to promote and market the ‘Produce of India’ products. It has a positive impact on organic farming in India.
8. One District-One Product (ODOP) aims to encourage the sale of indigenous and specialized products of Uttar Pradesh and to generate employment.

Prospects of Organic Farming

Agriculture being the backbone of India, with 67% of its population and 55% of manpower depends on farming. Agriculture accounts for 30% of the total income of the Indian population. The demand for organically grown produce in India is increasing rapidly as people are more aware and conscious about the safety and quality of food.

Organic farming has an immense prospect of generating income and creates employment opportunities. Indian soil is bestowed with various types of naturally available organic nutrients, which have the potential to play a huge role in organic farming. With a concrete traditional farming system, extensive drylands, nominal use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and an adequate amount of rainfall, India is blessed to create an ideal environment for organic farming. The Indian farmers have deep insight, perseverance, and practice for maintaining the soil fertility and pest management, which help strengthen organic production, which further helps in economic growth in India.

Presently, India has become the largest organic producer in the world and ranked eight by having 1.75 million hectares of organic land in the world. Along with the traditional knowledge of the farmers, the invention of newer technologies in the field of organic farming has help in promoting and improving sustainable agriculture. The various advancements in the field of organic farming include innovation in drip irrigation, precision agriculture, and agro-ecological practices. With the introduction of the BeeScanning App, the beekeepers can fight the Varroa destructor parasite mite and form a basis for population modeling and various breeding programs. The Inhana Rational Farming Technology is a comprehensive organic method to ensure economically sustainable crop production and also based on traditional Indian philosophy. The amalgamation of traditional and modern scientific knowledge will help in developing and advancing organic farming in India.

The Model Organic Farm under paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

Under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, the model organic farming aims to demonstrate conventional land conversion into organic farming practices in one-hectare parcels. It is made to spread information on the latest technologies of various organic inputs production units through exposure visits to farmers. The central and state government organizations and other public sector organizations by demonstrating technologies in different farming practices can develop a model of organic farms. Maximum three model organic farms demonstrations will be provided to each organization with a minimum of one farm in one institution per year. 

Institutional Framework of the Scheme

National Implementation of the Scheme

The paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana is being executed by the organic farming club of the Integrated Nutrient Management (Domain) of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW). The National Advisory Committee is the highest policy-making body of the scheme, and it is chaired by the Joint Secretary.

The members of NAC include the Regional Directors of Regional Centre of Organic Farming, Additional Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Heads of Zonal Councils, Representatives of Regional Council and Farmers and Consumers.

State-Level Implementation of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

The State Department of Agriculture and Cooperation is responsible for implementing the paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana with the involvement of Regional Councils registered under the PGS-India Certification Program.

District Level Implementation of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

The Regional Council is accountable for implementing the paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana at the district level. Such district may have one or multiple Regional Councils legally registered under the Societies Act, Cooperative Act, or Companies Act.

Conclusion

Organic farming yield nutritious and safe food. The demand and popularity of organic food are growing at a larger pace as it ensures food protection from the farm to the plate. Organic agriculture aims to promote the health of the consumers and be eco-friendly, and it is now the fastest-growing market all over the world, including India. Organic farming ensures and encourages the consumer health, ecological health, and economic growth of India in a holistic manner. At present, India is the world’s largest producer of organic products.

The Government of India, by implementing the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, has contributed largely to promoting organic farming in India. The scheme has helped to produce pesticides and residue-free crops; it has played an essential role in raising the farmer’s income; it has helped to create a potential market for traders. Not only this, the paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana has helped in motivating the farmers for natural resources and mobilizing their inputs, and created an eco-friendly environment for both consumers and farmers’ health.

In Indian culture, Agriculture is the wisest pursuit as it contributes to creating the real wealth of India. Thus, we can say that effectively implementing the paramparagat Krishi Vikas yojana will boost organic farming as well as the standard of living of the farmers. And it can be implemented effectively with the participation of farmers, which is possible by raising awareness among them. Our Organisation Aatmnirbhar Sena is helping the government in effective enforcement of this scheme by providing various awareness programs and educating the farmers about the advantages of organic farming in India. Hence, by creating greater awareness and capacity building in compliance with the International standards, the Indian organic farmers will soon be enforcing their rightful place in the global agricultural trade.