Lok Sabha Question No. 1362 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Benefits of Organic Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1362

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2025

## BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FARMING

1362. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is agreed to the view that biological substitutes for chemical fertilisers  and  pesticides  can  improve  the  health  of  soil,  human  and  planet,  besides benefitting farmers in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government is providing subsidy to farmers for procurement of off-farm organic input; (d) if so, the details of the subsidy provided during the last three years in this regard; (e) whether the Government had taken steps for the development and promotion of these substitutes in the country; (f) if so, the details thereof along with the result achieved in this regard; and

- (g) if not the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ͪष

एवं

ͩकसान

कãयाण

राÏय मंğी

(SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (g): It  is  agreed  to  the  view  that  biological  substitutes  for  chemical  fertilizers  and pesticides can improve health of soil, human and planet, besides benefiting farmers.

In  order to  promote use of bio-fertilizers,  the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR)  has  developed  improved  and  efficient  strains  of  bio-fertilizers  specific  to  different crops and soil types under the Network project on 'Soil Biodiversity-Bio-fertilizers'. Under this project ICAR has developed improved and efficient strains of bio-fertilizer specific to different crops  and  soil  types,  Liquid  Bio-fertilizer  technology  with  higher  shelf  life,  bio-fertilizer consortia formulation with two or more bio-fertilizer strains, microbial enriched bio-compost and Zinc & Potassium Solubilizing Bio-fertilizers. The ICAR also imparts training to educate farmers on use of bio-fertilizers.

To promote use of organic fertilizers in the country, Government is promoting organic farming  through  the  schemes  of  Paramparagat  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (PKVY)  in  all  the States/UTs (except North Eastern States). For North Eastern States, Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) scheme is being implemented. Both the schemes stress 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. Under PKVY, assistance of Rs. 31,500 per ha for a period of three years is provided for promotion of organic farming. Out of this, assistance of Rs. 15,000 per ha for a period of three years is provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for on-  farm  /off  -farm  organic  inputs.  Under  MOVCDNER,  assistance  of  Rs.  46,500/ha  for  3 years  is  provided  for  creation  of  Farmers  Producer  Organization,  support  to  farmers  for organic inputs etc. 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  Direct Benefit  Transfer  to  the  farmers.  The  year-wise  fund  released  including  assistance  for procurement of off-farm and on-farm organic inputs during the period of last three years is as under:

Rs. in Crore.

| Year    |   PKVY |   MOVCDNER |
|---------|--------|------------|
| 2021-22 |  88.58 |     133.29 |
| 2022-23 | 188.78 |     144.42 |
| 2023-24 | 206.39 |     230.67 |

In order to ensure the avaibility of good quality of bio-fertilizers, organic fertilizers and Bio-  stimulants,  the  Government  of  India  regulates  its  quality  under  the  Fertilizer  Control Order (1985).

Government is implementing Market Development Assistance (MDA) @  Rs. 1500/Metric  Tonne  to  promote  organic  fertilizers,  viz.,  Fermented  Organic  Manure/  Liquid Fermented  Organic  Manure/Phosphate  Rich  Organic  Manure    produced  at  plants  under Galvanizing  Organic  Bio  Agro  Resources  Dhan  (GOBARdhan)  scheme  of  Ministry  of  Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

To incentivize the farmers to reduce the overall consumption of fertilizers for improving soil  health  and  fertility  and  sustainable  productivity,  'PM  Programme  for  Restoration, Awareness,  Nourishment  and  Amelioration  of  Mother  Earth  (PM-PRANAM)'  incentivizes States and Union Territories to promote alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers. Under this programme, 50% of subsidy savings will be passed on as a grant to the state that reduces chemical fertilizers.

National Center of Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) and its Regional Center of Organic  and  Natural  Farming  (RCONF)  located  at  Ghaziabad,  Nagpur,  Bangalore,  Imphal and Bhubaneswar organise various trainings and online awareness campaign on organic and natural farming. ICAR also imparts trainings, front-line demonstrations, awareness programs etc. to educate farmers on organic farming, through network of Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

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