Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Promoting Organic Farming & Sustainable Agriculture

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.