The government of India has taken the initiative for organic farming to combat pollution, reduce reliance on synthetic chemical fertilizers, and improve soil health. According to the latest study by PIB, around 15 lakh (1.5 million) hectares are under organic farming.
Clearly, the gov. has taken this transformation very seriously with some advanced Government schemes for organic farming in India to motivate and support farmers. What’s most interesting is that India became a global leader in the number of organic farmers and growth in sustainable farming.
So, if you are also eager to start your organic farming journey, then keep reading to discover the major government schemes and their benefits in various Indian regions.
Why Organic Farming in India Has Become More Essential Than Ever
Organic farming is not just a trend today. It is as essential as reducing plastic use due to soil degradation, water scarcity, and rising health concerns.
So, the government of India took significant initiative for food security and the health of the planet by promoting organic farming. But why?
Core reasons why organic farming has become crucial in India:
👉 Environmental Imperatives: The core motive behind the government initiatives is to reduce the use of harmful pesticides or fertilizers and enhance the fertility of soil through biofertilizers.
👉 Human Health & Food Safety: With a continuously growing population, food safety and security have become a pressing issue. So, focusing more on organic food production is a sustainable and resilient solution.
👉 Sustainable Future: A self-sustaining agricultural system is vital for the planet’s health. This lowers the greenhouse gas emissions as well as protects the farmers from toxic chemical fertilizers that can lead to potential disease spread.
👉 Economic Growth: While organic farming is generally more expensive to start, it becomes a more cost-effective solution than conventional chemical farming eventually. By eliminating synthetic chemicals and building the soil’s natural fertility, organic farming supports the overall economic growth.
3 Government Schemes for Organic Farming in India
Here are the top 3 government schemes for organic farming in India and how you can apply for the schemes:
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER)
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched this organic farming scheme in 2015-2016 to develop a certified organic value chain in India’s northeastern regions.
This scheme supports the complete organic farming chain from farm to fertilizers and consumers to empower rural farming communities. Let’s check out the key initiatives behind this scheme:
➤ Key Initiatives
- Support the north-eastern states in organic farming: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
- Provide organic farming training and support for on-farm operations.
- Give Organic Certification by the National Programme for Organic Production to label them as entrepreneurs.
- Help farmers with brand building and branding to connect them to the domestic market as well as export markets.
➤ How to Apply for MOVCD-NER
You can apply for this scheme directly via the state agriculture departments or through the Farmer-Producer Organizations. For that, you must have some essential documents, including:
✔️ Aadhaar Card
✔️ Residential Proof of North Eastern states
✔️ Documents for Land Ownership
✔️ Bank Account Details
✔️ Passport-Size Photo
Steps for Application:
- Join a local Farmer Interest Group to approach the district agriculture department or the state FPO.
- Fill the application form carefully with supporting documents and sign a declaration to agree to the Internal Control System (ICS)’s undertaking for organic farming.
- Offer your land for organic cultivation (maximum of 2 hectares)
- Undergo training by either PGS-India (domestic market) or NPOP (export market) for organic certification.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
The Government of India launched this flagship scheme for organic farming in 2015 across the country (except the North Eastern states). This scheme promotes proper training to farmers and the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification to produce more organic foods in various regions of India.
Let’s have a look at the key initiatives of this scheme that the government has taken to support the organic farmers:
➤ Key Initiatives
- Organize farmers into clusters and help them adapt the organic practices.
- Offer ₹31,500 per hectare for 3 years to support them financially and cover inputs, training, brand building, marketing, and certifications.
- Introduction to the digital portal, Jaivik Kheti, to share knowledge on organic farming and the certification process.
- And lastly, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, lowering the cost.
➤ How to Apply to PKVY
This government scheme for organic farming in India does not offer direct application. It is a group scheme, where you must join the regional council and then submit an action plan to the central government. But this scheme also requires some essential documents. Here’s what you will need, and then we will talk about how you can apply ahead:
✔️ Aadhaar Card
✔️ Farmer ID (from the cluster)
✔️ Bank Passbook Copy
✔️ Land Ownership Proof
✔️ Passport-Size Photo
Steps for Application:
- Visit your nearest agricultural office or Krishi Vigyan Kendra (bring all the necessary documents).
- Fill out the PKVY application form to get your name registered with the cluster.
- Once your documents are verified, your name will be added to the cluster, and you will get proper training.
- You will get organic inputs and go through the certification process.
- With proper monitoring and assistance, you will need to continue for the next three years.
- Finally, you will get your certification as an organic provider.
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) is another major agricultural scheme that was launched in 2014 under India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change. The core purpose was to enhance the sustainable agricultural productivity, particularly in rain-fed areas.
This government scheme promotes the use of advanced technology for better productivity in Indian regions with less irrigation. Let’s check the great initiatives with details:
➤ Key Initiatives
- Unlike other government schemes for organic farming in India, it combines livestock, crops, fisheries, and forestry for better resource allocation and increased income.
- This scheme promotes water resource management for sustainable farming.
- Training farmers about climate change adaptation supports them during challenging situations.
- Develop location-specific, climate-resilient technologies to help farmers cope even in extreme weather.
- Improve soil health in specific regions through Integrated Nutrient Management and increase soil carbon storage.
➤ How to Apply for NMSA
For the application of NMSA, you need to visit an online portal and fill out all the necessary details. But before that, you must collect the essential documents together. Here’s what you will need to complete the application:
✔️ Aadhaar Card
✔️ Documents of Land Ownership
✔️ Bank Details/Passbook
✔️ Soil Health Card (if you have)
✔️ Passport-Size Photo
Steps for Application:
- Go to the I-Khedut portal on your device and log in.
- Then, on the homepage, you will find “Schemes” and then go to the “Agricultural Schemes”.
- As the application page opens, click on the “Apply New” button and fill it out by entering all the necessary information.
- Once you have successfully entered everything, confirm it and get a printout of the application.
- Wait for the verification and soil testing, and you will get enrolled in the technical training.
Benefits of Organic Farming Schemes for Farmers
The central government is constantly encouraging and supporting farmers with various government schemes for organic farming in India. You have finally unlocked the major schemes, their initiatives, and how to apply them. But what benefits will you get from them?
Here’s a clear answer to your queries:
➜ Join farmer groups for collective management, processing, and marketing
➜ You will get financial assistance for everything
➜ You can get organic certificates and support for branding on the local and international markets
➜ You can improve the soil health while contributing to a green environment
➜ It is the most cost-effective solution to establish bio-fertilizer units (because, in the long run, organic farming is less expensive than chemical fertilizers)
Verified Government Sources & References
Even though we have mentioned all the necessary information on the government schemes for organic farming in India, you should keep an eye on the official governmental sources and online portal for real-time updates on the schemes. Here are the verified sources you will need:
myScheme: You can discover and access existing and new government schemes.
NCONF: This portal is under the Indian government’s Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, from where you can get farming certification and solve certificate-related queries.
PIB: You can get updates, press releases, and other facts on governmental schemes.
APEDA: When you start organic farming, you will need this portal to get information on registration, financial assistance, import-export market development support, and more.
Start Growing Sustainable Agriculture Today!
If you are still running your farm using synthetic chemical fertilizers, it’s time to switch to organic farming now. The government is already one step ahead in offering continuous support. So what are you waiting for?
And if you are planning to start new farming projects, it is time to begin organically. This way, not only will your soil stay healthy, but also your farming policy will stay fresh.
Let’s take part in sustainable growing and list your organic products in the international market too!
FAQs
Q1. What is the most popular government scheme for organic farming in India?
Ans: The most popular and widely known government scheme for organic farming in India is the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). This prompts cluster-based organic farming training to provide financial as well as infrastructural support to the farmers.
Q2. Which state in India produces the most organic products?
Ans: Madhya Pradesh produces the most organic products in India based on the certified areas and overall outputs. Then comes Maharashtra and Rajasthan. However, Sikkim is known as India’s first completely organic state. Madhya Pradesh is larger in volume and acreage.
Q3. Are organic farmers eligible for governmental subsidies?
Ans: Yes. Organic farmers in India are eligible for various governmental subsidies and financial assistance. You can connect with the state government or the district agriculture office for collaboration and support.
Q4. Which is the best government loan for farming in India?
Ans: While there are many government loans for farmers in India to promote sustainable agriculture, the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme is the most popular loan among farmer communities.
Q5. Is organic farming expensive to start?
Ans: Starting organic farming is a little expensive due to the high initial investment for organic inputs, land prepping, and certification. But when you successfully create a high-value crop and good soil health, organic farming becomes less expensive in the long run.
Q6. Are there any disadvantages of organic farming?
Ans: Yes. Organic farming also comes with some potential drawbacks, including higher cost, increased labor for weeding and pest control, certification process, only a few chemical options, and less accessibility to the larger supply market. But as people started to become more environmentally concerned, the demand for sustainable products has increased. Also, the competition is still less.