Lok Sabha Question No. 2458 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-06
Subject: Organic Farming and Zero Budget Natural Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2458

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 06 TH  AUGUST, 2024

## ORGANIC FARMING AND ZERO BUDGET NATURAL FARMING

2458. SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) the data regarding the adoption and success of organic farming and zero budget natural farming initiatives across the country; and
- (b) the  incentives  and  support  being provided to farmers transitioning from  conventional  to organic farming methods?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR  AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a): A  total  cumulative  area  covered  under  organic  farming  in  the  country  is  59.74  lakh  ha [National  Programme  on  Organic  Production  -  44.75  lakh  ha  +  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas Yojana -14.99 lakh ha (including 2.15 lakh ha area under Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati)] and  48.30  lakh Farmers  [National  Programme  on  Organic  Production  -  23.58  lakh  + Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana - 24.72 lakh (including 5.34 lakh under Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati)] have been mobilized in the country.

Government  is  promoting  organic  farming  on  priority  in  the  country  since  2015-16  for improving  soil  health  and  water  retention  through  the  schemes  of  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas Yojana  in  all  the  States  other-than  North  Eastern  States  and  Mission  Organic  Value  Chain Development for North Eastern Region. Both the schemes stresses on end-to-end support to farmers engaged in organic farming i.e. from production to processing, certification & marketing and  post-harvest  management  training  and  Capacity  Building  and  also  focus  on  sustainable agriculture.

Government  is  also  promoting  natural  farming  since  2019-2020  through  Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati programme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana scheme. 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  including  zero budget  natural farming.  So  far  2.15  lakh ha  area  has been covered and 5.34 lakh farmers have been mbilized.

(b): Under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana scheme, a total assistance of Rs. 31,500 per ha for  a  period  of  three  years  is  provided  for  promotion  of  organic  farming  to  cover  different components  like  Training  &  Capacity  Building,  Data  Management,  PGS  Certification,  value addition, marketing and publicity. Out of this, the assistance of Rs. 15,000 per ha for a period of three years is provided to farmers through Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) for on- farm /off -farm organic inputs for  transitioning from conventional to organic farming method.

Whereas under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region, a total assistance of Rs. 46,500/ha for 3 years is provided for creation of FPO, support to farmers for  organic inputs, quality seeds/ planting material and training, hand holding and certification. Out of this, assistance @ Rs. 32500/ ha for 3 years is provided to farmers for off -farm /on -farm organic inputs under the scheme including Rs. 15,000 as DBT to the farmers and Rs. 17,500 for the planting material to be given to the farmers by State Lead Agency  (State Lead Agency) in kind.

Under Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati, natural farming is being promoted in cluster of 500 ha and Rs. 12200.00 is provided per ha for three years, in which Rs. 2000 is provided as incentives to farmers through DBT.

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