Lok Sabha Question No. 1447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-26
Subject: Eco-Friendly Techniques for Small Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1447

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 Th  JULY, 2022

## ECO-FRIENDLY TECHNIQUES FOR SMALL FARMERS

1447          SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government concurs with the view that concerted efforts are needed to make eco-friendly techniques which are economically viable  especially for small farmers;
- (b) if so, the steps  proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if  not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (c): Keeping in view the soil health, adverse effects due to indiscriminate use of agro- chemicals, depleting natural resources such as water and chemical contamination in food chain need is being realized to integrate eco-friendly techniques in agriculture. Organic farming and natural farming have been identified as relevant technologies which are not only environment friendly but are also productive and economically viable for small farmers.

Government  is  promoting  organic  farming  and  natural  farming  through  dedicated schemes  namely  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  and  Mission  Organic  Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER).  Farmers are provided financial assistance    of  Rs  31000/  ha  /  3  years    under    PKVY  and    Rs  32500/  ha/  3years  under MOVCDNER  for  organic  inputs  such  as  seeds,  bio-fertilizers,  bio-pesticides,  organic manure, compost/ vermi-compost, botanical extracts etc.  Apart from this, support is also provided for Clusters/ Farmers Producers Organization (FPO) formation, training, certification, value addition and marketing of their organic produce.  Organic cultivation on either  side  of  River  Ganga  under  Namami  Gange  of  National  Mission  of  Clean  Ganga (NMCG), and Large Area Certification have also been introduced under PKVY to increase area under organic farming.

Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP), a sub- scheme under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  is  also  being  implemented  since  2020-21  to  promote  traditional indigenous practices. The scheme mainly emphasizes on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of cow dung-urine formulations and other plant based preparations. Under BPKP, financial assistance of  Rs 12200/ha for  3 years  is provided  for  cluster formation,  capacity  building and continuous handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis.  It is also proposed to upscale the BPKP in the National Mission on Natural Farming. Ministry of Finance has given an interim approval to rollout the National Mission on Natural Farming (BPKP) and incur expenditure in 2022-23

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