Government Schemes for Organic Farming – In India

Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India

Hello farmer friends, today we are here with a topic of This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India. In India, organic farming is practiced for thousands of years. Organic farming in India is an agricultural method, uses pest control derived from organic manure and animal or plant waste. Organic farming started to respond to the environmental suffering caused by chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. It is a new agriculture system that repairs, maintains, and improves the ecological balance. In India, organic farming is very economical, it uses no expensive fertilizers, pesticides, High Yielding Varieties of seeds for the plantation of crops. It has no expenses. By using the cheaper and local inputs, a farmer can earn a good return on investment. There is a huge demand for organic products in India and worldwide and earn more income through export. Growing organic products are more nutritional, tasty, and good for health. Organic farming is environment friendly; it does not use fertilizers and chemicals. Now, let us get into the detailed information of various This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India.

A Step by Step Guide to Government Schemes for Organic Farming

Soil management is the primary method of organic farming in India. After crop cultivation, soil loses its nutrients, and its fertilizer goes down. The process in which soil is recharging with all the necessary nutrients known as soil management. Organic farming uses natural methods to increase the fertility of the soil. It uses bacteria, available in animal waste. The bacteria help in making the soil more productive and fertile. Organic cultivation methods can increase farm productivity. During the last few years the number of farmers, increasing has shown a lack of interest in farming and the people who used to cultivate are migrating to other areas. Organic farming is one method to promote either self-sufficiency or food security.

In organic farming, it is very important to constantly work to build healthy soil that is rich in organic matter and has all the nutrients that the plants need. Several methods like green manuring, the addition of manures, and biofertilizers, etc can be used to build up soil fertility. Soil with high organic matter resists soil erosion, holds water better, and requires less irrigation.

Organic farmers diversify their crops and spread their planting schedules throughout the year to maintain biodiversity and enhance the health of the soil. This creates opportunities for year-round employment, reduces turnover, and may alleviate problems related to migrant labor. Organic cultivation has the effect of strengthening local communities and supporting rural development.

Characteristics of Organic Farming

The characteristics of organic farming are;

• Maximal but sustainable use of local resources.
• To ensure the basic biological functions of soil water nutrients.
• To maintain a diversity of plant species as a basis for ecological balance.
• Producing an attractive overall landscape that gives satisfaction to the local people.
• The protection of long-term soil fertility by maintaining organic matter levels, encouraging soil biological activity, and using mechanical intervention carefully.
• The provision of crop nutrients through indirect routes (unlike the use of soluble fertilizer) using insoluble nutrient sources that are made available to the plant by the action of soil micro-organisms.
• The weeds control, pests, and diseases using crop rotations, natural predators, diversity, organic manuring, and resistant plant varieties as the first line of management. The use of thermal, biological, and chemical interventions must be kept to an absolute minimum.
• Organic farming is an approach to agriculture where the aim is to create integrated, environmentally and economically sustainable systems.
• The Indian government, keeping the fore-mentioned benefits, has started some schemes and programs because of which the area under cultivation of certified organic farming.

Objectives of the Organic Farming Schemes

• The main objective is to reduce total dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides by increasing the availability and improving the biofertilizers quality, biopesticides, and composts in the country
• To convert organic waste into plant-nutrient resources
• To prevent pollution by proper conversion and utilization of organic waste
• To make farming sustainable, remunerative, and respectable.
• To enhance natural soil fertility and productivity.
• To ensure soil and water conservation.
• To ensure agricultural bio-security and nutritional security.
• To ensure a domestic market for organic products controlled by the farmers.
• To avoid the use of agrochemicals and, ensure chemical-free- water, soil, air, and food.
• To ensure seed & food sovereignty.
• To promote biodiversity-based ecological farming.
• To ensure quality control in organic inputs
• To enable human health promotion by providing safe organic products
• To conserve and extend traditional knowledge related to organic agriculture.

Pest and Diseases management in organic farming

In organic farming, the presence of pests is anticipated in advance and hence the planting schedules and locations are adjusted as much as possible to avoid serious pest problems. The key to building a population of beneficial insects is to establish borders around fields planted with blends of flowering plants that the beneficial insects particularly like. Then periodically beneficial insects are released into the fields, where the host crops serve as their home base and also attract more beneficial insects over time. When faced with a pest outbreak that cannot be handled by beneficial insects, the use of natural or other organically approved insecticides like neem pesticides is done. The most important criteria for allowed organic pesticides are low toxicity to people and other animals and low persistence in the environment. Then, these criteria are determined by the National Organic Standards. Under organic farming, proper fertility management through a balanced supply of macro and micronutrients and crop rotation adoption has shown to improve the resistance of crops to certain diseases.

Basic Steps of Organic Agriculture

 The below are basic approaches involves the five principles;

1. Conversion of land from conventional to organic ;

2. Entire surrounding system management to ensure biodiversity and sustainability of the system;

3. Crop production with the use of alternative sources of nutrients like crop rotation, residue management, organic manures, and biological inputs;

4. Weeds and pests management by better management practices, physical and cultural means and by biological control system; and

5. Maintenance of livestock with the organic concept and also make them an integral part of the entire system.

Different Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India

In case if you miss this: Vegetable Farming Tips In India.

Differenct Government schemes for organic farming in India are;

The Paramparagat Krishi Viaks Yojana

This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY) is excellent in organic farming to install sustainability, ensure long-term soil fertility development, and offer healthy food grown through organic farming practices. Participatory Guarantee System will be the key approach for quality assurance under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna.

PKVY scheme is implemented to promote organic farming. Though, this will improve soil health and organic matter content and increase the net income of the farmer. The PKVY scheme promotes cluster-based organic farming with Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) certification. Under the PKVY scheme, cluster formation, training, certification, and marketing are supported. The assistance of Rs.50,000 per hectare per 3 years is provided out of which 62% that is Rs. 31,000 is given as farmer incentive towards organic farming inputs.

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana Programme Implementation

• PKVY scheme is a cluster-based program for the promotion of organic farming
• The Pramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana is a cluster passed program for the promotion of organic farming. Then, this will bring 5,00,000 acres under organic farms for over 3 years.
• Under the PKVY scheme, each farmer will be given Rs. 20,000 per acre in 3 years for the seed to harvesting of crops and transport of produce to the market. Also, organic farming will be promoted via rational resources as part of the scheme. Then, linkages will be formed between organic products and the market as per the scheme.
• The scheme will increase domestic production and certification of organic produce through the medium of farmers. The government has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 300 crore for this scheme in 2015-16.

The objective of this scheme is to produce agricultural products free from chemicals and pesticides. Key thrust areas in promoting organic farming under the PKVY scheme include the below;

• Organic farming promotes among rural youth/farmers/consumers/traders
• Disseminate the latest technologies in organic farming
• Use the expert’s services from the public agricultural research system in India
• Organize one cluster demonstration in a village

Organic Area Selection Criteria under PKVY

• Under the PKVY scheme, it will be promoted less utilization of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and preferable in hilly and rain-fed areas.
• And, the cluster approach will be adopted in large patches of up to 1000 hectares area.
• The cluster chosen shall be in the contiguous patch may be extending over few adjacent villages (but not over large areas in sparsely distributed villages).
• Formation of Gram Panchayat based Farmer Producer Organizations will be encouraged to promote under the PKVY scheme
• The ceiling of subsidy a farmer is eligible for will be for a maximum of one-hectare land. In a cluster, there must be at least 65% of small and marginal farmers. Women farmers of SHGs should be given preference

The Government has enhanced the subsidy amount from Rs. 100 to Rs. 300 per hectare to promote the use of organic fertilizers under the PKVY scheme. A special scheme with an allocation of Rs. 100 crore has been launched in the North-Eastern Region (NEH) for promoting organic farming and export of organic produce.

Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India. RKVY is a state plan scheme of additional central assistance launched in August 2007 by the Indian government. It seeks to achieve annual growth in agriculture through agriculture development and its allied sectors. The RKVY scheme is fund annually by a state plan scheme. It is launched to promote the use of organic farming practices and reduce dependence on a chemical agricultural input.

Objectives of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

• To incentivize the states that increase their Agriculture investment and allied sectors
• To provide flexibility to the states in planning agriculture programmes
• To ensure the agriculture plans prepared for the districts and states
• To achieve the goal of reducing the yield gaps in some important crops
• To maximize returns to the farmers
• To address the agriculture sectors in an integrated manner

Basic features of RKVY

• RKVY is a State Plan scheme that means increasing the state plan expenditure for agricultural and allied sectors
• The baseline expenditure is determined based on the average expenditure incurred by the State Government during the 3 years before the previous year.
• The preparation of the agriculture plans is mandatory
• The RKVY scheme encourages convergence with other programmes.
• Also, it will integrate agriculture and allied sectors comprehensively.
• These schemes will give high levels of flexibility to the states.
• Projects with definite time-lines are highly encouraged.

Some important list of allied sectors covered under the RKVY scheme

• Crop Husbandry (including Horticulture)
• Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries
• Agricultural Research and Education
• Agricultural Marketing
• Food storage and Warehousing
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Agricultural Financial Institutions
• Other Agriculture Programmes and Cooperation
• Areas of focus under the RKVY
• Integrated Development of Food crops like coarse cereals, minor millets, and pulses
• Agriculture Mechanization
• Soil Health and Productivity
• Development of Rain-fed Farming Systems
• Integrated Pest Management
• Promoting extension services
• Horticulture
• Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries
• Sericulture
• Study tours of farmers
• Organic and Bio-fertilizers
• Innovative Schemes

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

This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India. Under this scheme, farmers are given the assistance of about Rs 25000/ha/3 years for organic inputs. Support for the formation of Farmers Producer organizations, capacity building, and post-harvest infrastructure up to Rs 2 crores are also provided in the scheme.

It is a Central Sector Scheme, and it is the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for implementation in the Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura states. Then, this scheme aims to certified organic product development and also support the development of the entire value chain starting from inputs, seeds, marketing, and brand-building initiative.

The government has launched a value chain-based organic farming scheme in the northeastern region. A total sum of Rs. 115 crore has been allocated to this scheme. This organic value chain scheme not only helps in boosting the enormous explained political of organic entrepreneurship in the region.

The Main Objectives of MOVCDNER Scheme

• MOVCDNER Scheme develops organic value chain and marketing of organic agricultural products.
• To replace conventional farming or subsistence farming system into local resource-based self-sustainable, high-value commercial organic enterprise.
• Improvement of organic parks with facilities for collection, value addition, processing, storage, and market-linkages for specific commodities requiring capital-intensive technology.

National Programme for Organic Production

This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India.

• NPOP was launched in 2001 and it is the world’s largest organic certification programme.
• This scheme now proposes to enter into organic products, organic textiles, and organic cosmetics.
• The NPOP has been recognized by the European Union and Switzerland since 2006.
• NPOP grants organic farming certification through a process of 3rd party certification.
• NPOP scheme is implemented by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The NPOP scheme standards for production systems recognized by the European Commission, Switzerland, and the USA.

The NPOP has below objectives and principles;

a) To provide the means of evaluation of certification programmes for organic agriculture and products as per approved criteria;

b) To accredit certification programmes;

c) To facilitate certification of organic products in conformity to the National Standards for Organic Products; and

d) To encourage organic farming and processing development

The below states have been promoting organic farming through the NPOP scheme:

• Some states promoting the NPOP scheme will be Kerala, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
• This provides information on organic production standards.

National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF)

This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India. Under the NPOF scheme, the Indian government has been advocating integrating the use of organic manures including biofertilizers for increasing the production of organic crops. A total of 56 numbers of biofertilizer production units and 17 numbers of fruit or vegetable waste compost units have been established in the country.  

Department of agriculture and cooperation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India has launched a central sector scheme “national project on organic farming” during 10^th Five-year plan 1st October 2004, the objective of this scheme are;

• To ensure effective utilization of farm resources promote organic farming practices to reduce the burden on Chemical Fertilizers.
• Financial support for setting up of organic input production unit, biofertilizers and biopesticides.
• Capacity building through service providers.
• Salting up of model organic farms.
• Market development for organic produce.
• Development of domestic standards.
• Support for a new initiative on technology related to organic farming practices.
• Capacity Building for low-cost certification system called “Participatory Guarantee System”.

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

This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India. Under Capital investment Subsidy under soil health management scheme, the existing units can be considered for technological up-gradation or expansion of existing capacity.

The main objectives of the CISS scheme are;

• To develop agricultural productivity while maintaining soil health and environmental safety.
• To reduce the total dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides by increasing the availability of the quality of biofertilizers, and composts in the country.
• To prevent pollution by proper conversion and utilization of organic waste.

National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) Scheme for Organic Framing

This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India. Under this NMOOP, financial assistance by 50% subsidy to Rs. 300/- per hectare is provided for some components like bio-fertilizers, the supply of Rhizobium culture, PSB (Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria), ZSB (Zinc Solubilising Bacteria), and vermicomposting.

For proper plant growth, it is essential to use a balanced application of fertilizers with organic manure and application of micro-nutrients. Assistance has been provisioned under the NMOOP scheme for the supply of gypsum/pyrite/liming/SSP, etc., to the farmers.

National Horticulture Mission

This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India. The government of India promoted the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) scheme for farmers. Under this mission, the Government of India (GOI) will assist at the rate of 85% for the developmental programs and the remaining 15% will be contributed by the State Government.

Given the increasing demand for organically produced food items around the world, awareness has been created through training and distribution of information under this scheme. For the cultivation of vegetable plants, the maximum assistance of up to Rs.5 lakhs for a group of farmers holding an area of 50 hectares will be given. Under NHM financial assistance is provided for organic farming certification by Rs.5.00 lakh for a group of farmers covering 50 hectares area.

That’s all folks about This is one of the Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India.

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