Organic/ Ecological/ Biological or Natural farming is an agricultural system which uses fertilisers of organic origin like compost manure, green manure or bone meal while placing emphasis on techniques like crop rotation and companion planting. In India, organic farming is very economical i.e. no need for expensive fertilisers, pesticides and high yielding variety of seeds. There is a high demand for organic produce locally as well as globally due to it being nutritious, tasty and good for health. Soil management is the primary method of organic cultivation in India.
The Union Government provides assistance to Indian farmers for promoting organic cultivation across the country through different government schemes. Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of state for Agriculture said that the schemes stress on end-to-end support to Indian organic farmers i.e. from production to processing, certification and marketing to post harvest management support, including processing which helps to bring down costs of organic products. The government schemes which promote organic farming are as follows:
1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) promotes cluster based organic farming with PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) certification. Cluster formation, training, certification and marketing are supported under the PKVY. Assistance of Rs. 50,000 per hectare for 3 years is provided directly to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer(DBT) out of which 62 percent (Rs. 31,000) is given as incentive to a farmer towards organic inputs. Financial assistance of Rs.20 Lakh per cluster of 1,000 hectares for 3 years is provided for value addition and infrastructure creation.
2. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) promotes third party certified organic farming of niche crops of north east region through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with focus on exports. Farmers are given assistance of Rs 25,000 per hectare for three years for organic inputs including organic manure and biofertilizers among other inputs. Support for creation of FPOs, capacity building, post-harvest infrastructure up to Rs 2 crore are also provided in the scheme.
3.Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme (CISS) under Soil Health Management Scheme
Under this scheme, 100 percent assistance is provided to state government, government agencies for setting up of mechanised fruit and vegetable market waste, agro waste compost production units up to a maximum limit of Rs 190 lakh per unit
(3000 Total Per Annum TPA capacity). Similarly, for individuals and private agencies assistance up to 33 percent of cost limit to Rs 63 lakh per unit as capital investment is provided.
4. National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP)
Under the Mission, financial assistance at 50 percent subsidy to the tune of Rs. 300 per hectare is being provided for different components including bio-fertilisers, supply of Rhizobium culture, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB), Zinc Solubilising Bacteria (ZSB), Azotobacter, Mycorrhiza and vermicompost.
5. National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
Under NFSM, financial assistance is provided for promotion of biofertilizer (Rhizobium/PSB) at 50 percent of the cost limited to Rs 300 per hectare. As per international resource data from Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Statistics 2020, India stands at 9th position in terms of certified agricultural land with 1.94 million hectare (2018-19).
Objectives Of The Organic Farming Schemes is to:
● Reduce total dependance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides by increasing availability and improving the biofertilizers, biopesticides and compost’s quality. ● Convert organic waste into plant nutrient resources and prevent pollution by proper utilisation.
● Make farming sustainable, remunerative and respectable by enhancing soil fertility and productivity to ensure quality produce.
● Ensure soil and water conservation and provide nutritional and agricultural biosecurity.
● Ensure a domestic market for organic produce controlled by farmers. ● Avoid use of agrochemicals and ensure chemical free water,soil, air and food. ● Ensure seed and food sovereignty and promote biodiversity based ecological farming.
● Ensure quality control in organic inputs and promote human health by providing safe organic produce.
● Conserve and extend traditional knowledge related to organic agriculture.
Conclusion
India ranks first in the number of farmers practicing natural farming and 9th in terms of area under organic farming in the world. Sikkim became the first state in the world to become fully organic with other states like Tripura and Uttarakhand with similar targets. Organic farmers diversify their crops with planting schedules spread throughout the year to maintain biodiversity and enhance health of the soil. This creates opportunities for year- round employment,strengthens local communities and opens up new possibilities of global trade through which they can increase their revenue. By trading through, Tradologie. The World’s 1st Digital Trade Hub farmers can tap newer markets and grow their wealth and income by sending their organic produce to different countries where they are in high demand.
