India is the land of agriculture where a majority of the workforce is engaged in agricultural activities. About a large fraction of the rural population in India is dependent upon agriculture as the major source of Livelihood. In addition to this, it is also the central agenda in policy formation. Each government forms a set of policies to enhance agriculture from time to time. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana is one such program that aims to create organic farmlands by the use of traditional farming methods.
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Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
Through this scheme, the farmers of India will be given financial benefits to convert from conventional farming methods to traditional. The government is providing benefits for this conversion. So, In this article, we will discuss this scheme of the centre, ie., Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana. We will discuss the components and benefits of the scheme. We will also try to throw some light upon the complete scheme, implementation levels and methods.
| Article Category | Scheme |
| Name of the Scheme | Paramparagat Krishi Vikash Yojana |
| Level | National |
| Launched by | Government of India |
| Launched in | 2015 |
| Purpose | To create organic farmland with legal certification |
| Department | Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Famer Welfare (DAC & FW) |
| Official Website | pgsindia-ncof.gov.in |
About PKVY Scheme
As we all are well aware of the impacts conventional farming methods has on the people. All the practices by the farmers directly or indirectly affect the soil of the land. It becomes quintessential that natural farming methods are indulged into practice. So, the PMKVY is one such programme that started to indulge paramparagat i.e., traditional methods of farming in the usual methods. The program is focused on creating sustainable and organically certified farmlands. Therefore, empowering the farmers in every way.
The scheme was initially launched in 2007 for the development of the agriculture sector in India through the traditional methods of farming. So, the scheme basically put forwards the wisdom of our traditions and principles of Modern Science to enhance agricultural practices. The scheme is focused on promoting organic farming by forming village clusters that would promote organically farming approaches. Thus, demonstrating Organic Farming production in any Indian state.
This scheme is also observed as a component of SHM (Soil Health Management) following the NMSA (National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture) and was launched to increase public investment in the area of agriculture. Both the central and the state governments manage and generate the funds for the scheme. But the investments are borne more by the central government. The central government provides incentives to the states to boost investment via the public, in Agriculture. Therefore, promoting Organic Farming practices.
Also, the fundamental aim of this scheme is to use the wisdom and technology hand in hand to benefit the soil and develop efficient models of Agriculture. The scheme involves a certificate generation for organic farming through PGScertification methods. PGS India is allowing a time period of 3 months to a cluster to convert it from conventional farm to organic farming. PGS gives organic labels to the farms that change from conventional farms to organic farms and also help to market their products domestically.
Objectives of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
- Promote Organic Sustainable Farming Systems
- Increase Soil Fertility by using Natural methods of farming
- Conserving the Natural Resource by evading the use of chemicals
- Producing chemical-free crops and decrease the carbon footprint
- Managing Nutrients in Soil through natural Nutrient Recycling methods
- Enhancing the income of farmers by the adoption of inexpensive farmer-friendly techniques
- Creating young farmer entrepreneurs and increasing investment
- Linking farmers to the markets, national as well as local
- Promote Organic food production and connecting the produce to diverse markets.
Major Components of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Scheme
The scheme contains two components:
- Modern Organic Cluster Demonstration- These demonstrations are to promote organic farming. It includes adopting a PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) certification. It will also aid in promoting domestic markets for agriculture produce including the adoption of organic farm practices.
- Model Organic Farm- These will be the physical farms that will be used for demonstration purposes. Thereby spreading technology and practices. At least three demonstrations will be there from one organization.
Cluster Formation under PKVY
Under the scheme, there is a provision of cluster formation to get Participatory certification and hence the benefits associated with the scheme. So, here we will discuss cluster formation. The formation of the cluster is an essential element of the scheme as it will be the only structure to enhance the certification. Thus, promoting organic production of farm harvest through cluster formation.
According to the scheme, to gain any financial benefits from the scheme, continuous clusters are to be selected. Continuous clusters can be of the area ranging from 500 ha to 1000 ha for which there will be a group of 20-50 farmers. Training and certification for organic products will be given to all of these farmers in a cluster. More than 50 farmers are to be covered under a continuous patch of 50 acres.
Also, at least 3 pieces of training will be given to these clusters in one year. Model Cluster demonstrations are given by the PSUs and other cooperatives like the ICAR institutions, KVKS, Agricultural universities etc. These demonstrations will be free of cost and 100% funded by the central government.
Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
Benefits
PKVY is a centrally assisted scheme and as the scheme was begun there was a 100% support price fixed for the scheme. But due to the lack of growth, the funds were then dispersed among the centre and the state. The government repositories under the PKVY are shared in the ratio of 60:40 among the Centre and the state respectively. Although this assistance is 90:10 for hilly states like the North-Eastern states and the Himalayas. Also, only the Union Territories, get 100% of the funding from the Central Government.
So, according to the ratio, the benefits are associated with the scheme. :
- Financial aid to a cluster of 50 acres/ 20 ha will be INR 10 Lakh.
- INR 14.95 lakh to each cluster for PGS certification, manure management and mobilization.
- For activities of Biological Nitrogen Harvesting and Manure management, there shall be an allotment if INR 50,000 to each farmer per ha.
- INR 4.95 lakh assistance to each cluster by the Implementing agencies for adopting PGS certificates and Quality control.
- The complete cost of certification will be sponsored by the state.
- Each farmer will get INR 20,000/ acre of land for 3 years for various inputs like seeds, transport, harvesting, etc.
- Reduction in the cost of inputs used in the production of one crop.
- Increase in price premium with linkages in good markets.
- Increase in yield, if all the practices suggested are promoted efficiently.
Implementation Agencies for the Scheme
The implementation agencies for the scheme are both at the national and state level. Implementation will be Cluster-based organic farming with participatory certification and certification by the PGS.
- National Level
- National Advisory Committee (NAC)- It is the nodal group that formulates the policies.
- Executive Committee (EC)- It approves all the action plans set forward by the state and supervises the scheme activities.
- INM Division under DAC & FW- It gives all the policy-related guidelines to aid in action plan development.
- National Center for Organic Farming (NCOF)- It is the monitoring body for PGS Certification.
- State Level
- State Department of Agriculture and other SLECs
- District Level Executive Committees (DLECs)
- FPOs/ SMEs/ SHGs
PKVY Implementation Process
As it is a centrally sponsored scheme, there is a set of procedures, a flow in which the organic production actually works. Readout, how the process of taking up organic farming actually works?
- Firstly, all the farmers groups formed will now be motivated to adopt organic farming.
- The clusters of 50 acres will be formed by 50 or more farmers. (within 3 years/ 36 months, 10,000 clusters are to be formed converting 5 lakh acre farms into organic farms).
- The clusters formed will indulge in traditional farming practices like nutrient management, neem cake manures, nitrogen harvesting etc.
- Funds and associated Certification will be provided to all the farmers.
- Incentives will be provided for various inputs from seeding until harvest and reaching of the products to the final market.
- The final harvest will be linked to the organic markets for sale.
Criteria for Area Selection under PKVY
- The patches selected for organic farming cultivation are kept continuous as much as possible. According to the clusters, which is in large patches these are the criteria kept in selecting the clusters :
- In hilly areas-500 ha
- In plain areas- 1000 ha
- Out of all the clusters selected, at least 65% of the farmers selected must come under the category of small marginal farmers.
- A farmer with a maximum land of 1 ha will be eligible for the subsidy ceiling under the scheme.
- As the focus is on increasing the organic production in the hill areas, It is preferable if the area belongs to a hill region.
Registration Process of Paramparagat Krishi Scheme
Registration under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Vikas Yojana is made available through the official portal developed. This portal is specifically dedicated to the PKVY where the registered users can log in. The government has also provided another portal for selling and purchasing organic produce.
Jaivik Kheti Portal
This portal is an e-commerce portal completely devoted to organic farming produce. It is a platform to market products and also gain knowledge about organic production. It contains some essential information related to the inputs, PGS certification, farmer data and organic production data. Also, through this portal buyers can also purchase organic food items at a lower price.
Through the portal, various stakeholders of organic farming have been linked together at individual, regional and local levels. In addition to this, farmers can also sell their produce at the best price by using this portal as it allows auction and bidding. It consists of an E-Bazar where buyers can buy items and also get information about the sellers of that particular item.
In this portal, buyers and sellers can register themselves and start using the portal by logging in. Users/ Buyers can purchase items or sellers can sell their organic produce here. Also, local group van avail similar facilities as well under the portal.
Important Dates
According to the annual action plan formulated by the government. Dates for allocating the funds to the state are February end of every year. After which, the state Government will develop an annual action plan (AAP) according to the clusters formed. The action plan will contain all the details about the areas of clusters, systems of farming provident there, probable markets, inputs, surplus production and all the agencies which will be involved in the complete process up to the implementation of the scheme.
It is then approved by the State Level Empowerment Committee at the state level. After that, it reaches the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare which will approve the AAP within the timeline of April. in addition to this, there will be an extra examination by the INM under DAC & FW.
Finally, the Funds will be released by the central government to the States by the 1st week of May every year.
| Fund Allocation | February end |
| Submission of the annual action plan by the regional councils to the state | March |
| Submission of Compiled of AAP by the state to MoA | April 1st week |
| Fund Release to states by the centre | May 1st week |
| Fund release to the regional councils | May (mid) |
FAQs
It is a scheme by the central government which promotes cluster-based conversion and development of conventional farms into organic farms. It is part of the Soil Health management scheme (SHM) under the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture.
The Participatory Group PGS certification will be given as per the cluster-based norms. It is cluster-based and not individual. Certifications will be given in groups to assure the integrity of products.
PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) is a process of certifying products. Under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, PGS certification is given to give the harvested product, a legal organic certification. This certifies that the product has been produced on a certified farm under organic farming practices monitored by the legal authorities.
It is an e-commerce platform where users of this platform can also gain knowledge about organic produce. All the stakeholders of organic farming can avail themselves of the facilities offered through this portal. The buyers and sellers of organic products can register here.
E-Bazar is one of the components under the Jaivik Kheti portal where all the registered buyers and sellers can sell and purchase all the farm produce items. These items are only the items that are organically produced.
No, any group of farmers with less than 5 members will not be considered under the scheme.
Under the scheme, to be legally qualified for the PGS Certification, the farmers have to convert the land into organic farmland within a time period of 36 months.
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