The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recently announced that India ranks first in Organic Farming. Also, India ranks ninth in terms of areas under Organic Farming.
Highlights
Sikkim was the first state in the world to become completely organic. The other states that have similar targets include Uttarakhand and Tripura.
Measures by India to boost Organic Farming
India has launched two schemes to assist farmers in adopting organic farming. Also, the Agro-Export Policy, 2018 gave simultaneous thrusts to organic farming. The schemes are as follows
- Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North East Region
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
Organic Exports
The main Organic Exports from India include sesame, flax seeds, soya bean, medicinal plants, tea, rice and pulses. These products contributed to 50% organic exports in 2018-19 touching Rs 5151 crores.
India is exporting its organic products to USA, UK, Italy and Swaziland.
Logos of Organic products
In India, the organic foods should carry logos such as
- Logos of FSSAI
- Jaivik Bharat
- Participatory Guarantee Scheme Organic India
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
The scheme covers an area of about 7 lakh hectares. It brought about 16 Farmer Producer Organizations cultivating 80,000 hectares of land.
The scheme is a major project under National Mission of sustainable Agriculture. Also, it is an elaborate component of Soil Health Management.
Under the scheme, organic farming is promoted by adoption of organic village through cluster approach. Over 50 and more farmers will form clusters with 50-acres of land and take up organic farming. The aim is to produce pesticide residue free produce and contribute towards improving health of the consumer.
Other Key Measures
- Under One District One Produce concept GoI is trying to develop more clusters of organic produce
- Jaivik Kheti Portal was launched. Here farmers shall sell all of their organic produce promoting organic farming globally.
- Webinars are conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on Organic Farming.
Budget Allocation for Organic Farming
The 2020-21 Budget reduced the incentives being provided to chemical fertilizers in order to promote organic farming. The 2020-21 Budget allocated the following for the schemes related to organic farming
- National Project on Organic Farming: 12.5 crores
- Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region: 175 crores
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana: 500 crores.
On the whole, the Budget 2020-21 allocated Rs 687.5 crores for organic farming.
- Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE for Motivation and Fast Updates
- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel HERE to watch Motivational and New analysis videos
Google’s Best Books for UPSC PSC Exams
Amazon’s Best Book for UPSC PSC Exams