Schemes to enhance Organic Farming - Improving India

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Introduction:

Area under organic farming is increasing day by day. The people are moving towards organic agriculture inorder to improve their living standards. Cultivable land under organic farming is 11.83 lakh hectare in 2014 . At present it's 29.17 lakh hectare. It's assumed that it will be more 20 lakh hectare increase by 2040.

These incredible increase in the land area is assured by the efforts of the government. Awareness programme, availability of adequate post harvest infrastructure, marketing facilities, premium price for organic products etc., which leads the farmers to be keen on organic farming. 

India ranks first in number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming. Sikkim became the first State in the world to become fully organic and other States including Tripura and Uttarakhand have set similar targets.

The government of India provides various schemes to assist their farming. Of which 5 schemes are briefly discussed below. 

1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) 


Under PKVY Organic farming is promoted through adoption of organic village by cluster approach and PGS (Participatory Guarantee system) certification. Farmers cluster formation, training, certification and marketing are supported through this scheme. 

  • Fifty or more farmers will form a cluster having 50 acre land to take up the organic farming under the scheme. There is no expenditure on the certification by the farmers. 
  • Every farmer will be provided Rs. 20,000 per acre in three years for seed to harvesting of crops and to transport produce to the market.
  • Thus Organic farming will be promoted by using traditional resources and the organic products will be linked with the market by which it increase domestic production and certification of organic produce by involving farmers. 

2.Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)


The scheme is being implemented in all eight states of the North East India namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura since 2015-16. Realising the potential of organic farming in North Eastern Region of the country, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched this Central Sector Scheme.
  1. North Eastern States of India acts as organic hub of India.
  2. Farmers Interest Group (FIG)/ Farmers Producer Companies (FPCs) will be equipped with collection, aggregation, post harvest process and linking with market facilities as these will helps 50,000 farmers to be benefitted through value chain production, processing, marketing and value chain support agencies.
  3. NE Region will evolve their own brand of organic produce.

3.Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) 


Under National Project on Organic Farming, a Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme for Commercial Production Units for organic/ biological inputs was introduced in 2004-05. 
 
  • This promote organic farming in the country by making available organic inputs, such as bio fertilisers, bio pesticides and fruit & vegetable market waste compost as it reduce the total dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides thereby generate better return for the produce
  • Increase agricultural productivity by converting organic waste into plant-nutrient resources which helps in  maintaining soil health and environmental safety. 
  • Prevent pollution and environment degradation by proper conversion and utilization of organic waste. 

4.National Mission On Oilseeds and Oil palm (NMOOP) 


Government of India implemented the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) during the 12th Five Year Plan, to expand the oil palm areas and increase the production of edible oils.

The NMOOP was launched under Mini Missions (MM) I, II & III to achieve the following specific targets:

  • Under the MM–I, the mission aims to increase the production of oilseeds was launched in 12 potential states in India to bring 75,000 hectares area under palm cultivation and increase the production of edible oils.
  • It render assistance to farmers by providing planting materials, maintenance cost for palms, irrigation & bore well, and harvesting tools. 
  • To provide profitable rates for Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) when international Crude Palm Oil (CPO) price drops
  • To support farmers through Market Intervention Scheme (MIS)
  • Under the MM–II, the mission’s target is to broaden the area for oil palm cultivation and boost the production of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFBs) [It is the raw material for palm oil mills]
  •  It increase the Seed Replacement Ratio (SSR) with a focus on the Varietal Replacement.
  • To raise the area of irrigation of the Oilseeds from 26% to 36%.
  • To encourage the inter-cropping of oilseeds with cereals/pulses and sugarcane.
  • To increase the availability of quality and efficient planting materials of Oil Palm and Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs).

  • MM–III envisages to strengthen the seed collection of Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs) such as olive, sal, mahua, kokum, wild apricot, Tung, etc., by providing best planting materials for the expanded areas.
  • Providing proper maintenance of the seedings.
  • Encouraging the intercropping during the gestation periods.
  • Providing technical support and training with the assistance of Government

5.National Food Security Mission (NFSM) 



National Food Security Mission' (NFSM), was launched in October 2007.  The Mission is to increase the production of rice, wheat, pulses and coarse cereals through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner.

Restoring soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level and enhancing farm level economy (i.e. farm profits) to restore confidence amongst the farmers.

Focus on pulse production through utilization of rice fallow, rice bunds and inter-cropping of pulses with coarse cereals, oilseeds and commercial crops (sugarcane, cotton, jute). 

Promotion and extension of improved technologies i.e., seed, integrated nutrient 
management (INM) including micronutrients, soil amendments integrated pest management (IPM), input use efficiency and resource conservation technologies along with capacity building of the farmers/extension functionaries.
  


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