Lok Sabha Question No. 2831 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Reducing Cost of Organic Produce
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Putta Mahesh Kumar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2831

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10 TH  MARCH, 2026

## REDUCING COST OF ORGANIC PRODUCE

2831. SHRI. PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has undertaken any study to identify solutions to reduce the cost of agricultural produce that is organically grown; (b) if so, the details of steps taken by the Government to reduce costs of organically grown produce over the last five years; (c) the details regarding the steps taken to increase the use of agricultural produce that  is  organically  grown  by  consumers  in  rural  and  urban  areas  across  India, especially in Andhra Pradesh; (d)  whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  steps  to  increase  awareness  of agricultural produce that is organically grown by citizens; and (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a):  Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, has undertaken research studies to identify solutions for reducing the cost of organically grown agricultural produce. Under All India Network Programme on  Natural  Farming  (AINP-NF)  (earlier  All  India  Network  Programme  on  Organic Farming),  organic  farming  packages  for  different  cropping  systems  have  been developed. These target reduction of cost of cultivation by promoting on-farm organic inputs such as nutrients, botanical formulations for pest and disease management, seed etc.

(b): Organic farming is promoted through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all the States/UTs including Andhra Pradesh except North Eastern States. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) for the North Eastern States is operational in North Eastern states. Both schemes stress on end-to-end  support  to  farmers  engaged  in  organic  farming  i.e.  from  production  to processing,  certification  and  marketing.  Primary  focus  of  the  schemes  is  to  form organic clusters, with preference to small and marginal farmers, to create a supply chain. Under PKVY scheme, assistance of Rs. 31,500 per ha is provided over 3 years for  promotion  of  organic  farming.  Out  of  this,  assistance  of  Rs.  15,000  per  ha  is provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for on- farm /off -farm organic inputs, financial assistance of ₹4,500 per ha for marketing and branding, ₹3,000 per ha for certification, and ₹9,000 per ha for training and capacity building. (c):  As informed by State Government of Andhra Pradesh, 1,089 farmer markets have been  established.  These  reduce  intermediaries  and  strengthen  direct  marketing channels for farmers. The state is also promoting value addition of Organic and Natural commodities  through  primary  processing,  grading,  packaging,  and  small-scale  to improve  shelf  life  and  minimize  losses.  State  is  organizing  Buyer-seller  meets  for facilitation of direct connections  between  farmers,  bulk  buyers,  retailers,  and institutional consumers. A Food Basket model has been implemented in 59 Health & Nutrition  villages  through  Self  Help  Groups  (SHGs),  supplying  natural  farming commodities for household  needs and is being  expanded to  another  340 villages. Further,  farmers  are  encouraged  to  participate  in  Organic  melas,  exhibitions,  and conferences at regional, state, and national levels with farmer aggregators and natural farming farmer. (d) & (e):  Government has taken steps to increase awareness of agriculture produce i.e organically grown by citizens through schemes like PKVY and MOVCDNER. Under these  scheme,  financial  supports  are  provided  to  farmers  for  capacity  building, training, certification  and  promotion  of organic farming  practises.  Awareness about organic  produce  is  promoted  through  demonstration,  farmers  training,  workshops, organic melas,  exhibitions  and Buyer-Seller  Meets etc to  create  awareness  among

farmers as well as consumers about the benefits of organic produces.

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