Introduction

• India has a rich history of organic and traditional farming methods. However, with the increasing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, soil health and environmental sustainability have become major concerns.
• To promote organic farming, the Government of India launched the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) in 2015.
• PKVY aims to encourage farmers to adopt traditional farming practices, reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, and promote sustainable agriculture through organic farming.

Objectives of PKVY

• Promotion of Organic Farming
  • Encourage farmers to shift from chemical-based agriculture to traditional organic farming.
• Soil Health Improvement
  • Enhance soil fertility and productivity through the use of organic manure, biofertilizers, and natural pest control methods.
• Reduce Chemical Input Costs
  • Minimize dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, thereby reducing costs for farmers.
• Improve Market Linkages
  • Help organic farmers in branding, certification, and marketing of organic products.
• Increase Farmers’ Income
  • By reducing input costs and enabling premium pricing for organic produce.
• Strengthen Farmer Groups
  • Forming clusters of farmers to facilitate collective organic farming and certification.

Key Features of PKVY

• Cluster-Based Approach
  • Farmers are organized into clusters of 50 or more farmers, covering an area of 50 acres per cluster.
  • Each farmer in the cluster practices organic farming and follows a structured approach.
• Financial Assistance
  • The government provides ₹50,000 per hectare for three years.
  • ₹31,000 is allocated for organic inputs like biofertilizers, organic manure, and compost.
  • ₹8,000 is used for training, certification, and awareness programs.
  • ₹11,000 is for marketing and branding organic produce.

• Organic Certification
  • The scheme supports Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification, which is a simplified and cost-effective process.
  • Farmers receive a PGS Green Certification, enabling them to sell their produce as organic.
• Promotion of Indigenous Practices
  • Encourages traditional farming techniques like cow dung manure, composting, crop rotation, and biofertilizers.
  • Supports the use of indigenous seeds and natural pest control methods.

• Market Support and Branding
  • Farmers are helped with branding, packaging, and selling their organic produce in markets.
  • Assistance is provided in connecting farmers with local and global markets.

Implementation of PKVY

• PKVY is implemented through:
  • State Governments
  • Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
  • Organic Farming Research Institutions
  • NGOs and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

• Farmers are trained through workshops and field demonstrations to adopt organic farming practices.

Benefits of PKVY

• Improves Soil Health
  • Organic farming maintains soil fertility for long-term sustainability.
• Reduces Input Costs
  • Farmers save money on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Health Benefits
  • Consumers get chemical-free, nutritious food.
• Eco-Friendly Farming
  • Reduces pollution and environmental degradation.
• Better Market Price
  • Organic produce fetches premium prices in national and international markets.

Challenges of PKVY

• Slow Adoption
  • Farmers hesitate to switch due to lower initial yields.
• Market Linkage Issues
  • Difficulty in accessing organic markets and ensuring fair prices.
• Lack of Awareness
  • Farmers need extensive training and support to understand organic farming techniques.
• Certification Process
  • Even though PGS is simplified, certification takes time.

Success Stories

• Several farmer groups across India have benefited from PKVY:
• Sikkim
  • Became India’s first 100% organic state, largely due to PKVY.
• Madhya Pradesh
  • Several tribal farmers have successfully transitioned to organic farming.
• Rajasthan & Gujarat
  • Farmers have increased their profits by exporting organic produce.

How Farmers Can Apply for PKVY?

• Farmers can apply for the scheme through:
  • State Agriculture Departments
  • Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
  • Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
  • PKVY Official Website (as per government updates)

Conclusion

• The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) is a crucial step towards sustainable and eco-friendly agriculture in India. By encouraging traditional organic practices, it not only helps in improving soil health but also increases farmers’ incomes in the long run.

Though challenges remain, with proper awareness, training, and market support, PKVY has the potential to transform Indian agriculture into a more sustainable and profitable sector.