Initiatives taken by the central governments for promotion of organic agriculture in India

The Indian government has introduced several comprehensive initiatives to promote organic farming, recognizing its potential to enhance sustainability, improve soil health, and boost farmers’ incomes. Below is a detailed discussion of key initiatives launched over the years to promote organic farming in India:

1. National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)

• Launched by: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Year: 2001
• Objective: The NPOP was established to facilitate the development of organic farming in India by creating a formal certification system and setting standards for organic products. It includes organic certification, accreditation of certification bodies, and export promotion for organic products.
• Details: NPOP aims to ensure the production and marketing of organic products meet global standards. It has helped expand the organic market in India, providing an organized mechanism for farmers to enter organic agriculture. Additionally, the program promotes the export of organic products to international markets.

2. Soil Health Management (SHM) Scheme

• Launched under: National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
• Year: 2014
• Objective: The SHM scheme was launched to promote sustainable soil management practices, including organic farming techniques. It focuses on reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers and promoting organic inputs like compost, vermicompost, and biofertilizers.
• Details: The SHM scheme promotes various organic farming practices such as crop rotation, mulching, and green manuring to maintain soil health. This initiative plays a crucial role in reducing soil degradation and enhancing agricultural productivity through sustainable organic farming methods.

3. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

• Launched by: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Year: 2015
• Objective: PKVY aims to promote organic farming through a cluster-based approach, encouraging farmers to shift to organic farming practices. The scheme provides financial assistance for inputs, certification, and training in organic farming.
• Details: Under PKVY, organic farming is promoted in specific clusters by offering financial aid to farmers for adopting organic farming methods. Farmers are also provided with training on organic techniques and financial support for the certification of their products. The initiative also encourages the formation of farmer groups to scale up organic production and establish market linkages.

4. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER)

• Launched by: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Year: 2015
• Objective: This mission specifically targets the North Eastern states of India, which have significant potential for organic farming due to low pesticide use and rich biodiversity.
• Details: MOVCD-NER aims to support organic farming in the North East by providing financial assistance for the production, certification, and marketing of organic products. The scheme also focuses on the development of organic farming clusters and improving market access for organic produce in these regions. It has been crucial in establishing organic farming as a mainstream agricultural practice in the North East.

5. National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI)

• Launched by: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• Year: 2006
• Objective: The NOFRI was set up to promote research on organic farming and organic inputs, contributing to the scientific validation of organic practices in India.
• Details: NOFRI focuses on developing sustainable farming practices that integrate organic inputs, pest management, and soil health. It supports research on crops, farming systems, and organic technologies suited to Indian conditions. The institute also conducts training for farmers and scientists to boost organic farming adoption.

6. Support for Organic Farmers through MSP (Minimum Support Price)

• Launched by: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Year: 2018 (for organic products)
• Objective: This initiative was introduced to ensure that organic farmers receive a fair price for their produce.
• Details: The government has set up a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for some organic products, ensuring that farmers have a safety net to fall back on in case of market fluctuations. This initiative helps incentivize farmers to adopt organic farming by providing financial stability and encouraging them to grow organic crops.

7. Certification and Export Promotion

• Launched by: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
• Year: 2000s (ongoing)
• Objective: APEDA plays a key role in promoting the export of organic products and ensuring that they meet global certification standards.
• Details: APEDA has facilitated the certification of organic products and helped develop marketing strategies to boost exports. It assists farmers and exporters in meeting international organic standards, particularly for European, U.S., and Japanese markets. This initiative has been instrumental in increasing India’s share in the global organic market.

8. Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) for Organic Agriculture

• Launched by: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Year: 2011 (FPOs for organic promoted later)
• Objective: FPOs are designed to aggregate smallholder organic farmers into collective groups, improving their access to markets, certification, and organic inputs.
• Details: FPOs help small farmers benefit from economies of scale, reduce costs, and improve bargaining power. They also provide organic farmers with access to processing units, storage facilities, and better market access. This initiative has empowered farmers, particularly in rural and remote areas, to adopt and scale organic farming practices.

9. Sikkim as a Fully Organic State

• Launched by: Sikkim State Government
• Year: 2016
• Objective: Sikkim became the first state in India to be certified as 100% organic. This initiative aimed to promote organic farming at the state level, making it a model for other states.
• Details: The state government of Sikkim provided extensive support to farmers, including financial aid for certification, training in organic practices, and facilitating market linkages for organic produce. The success of Sikkim’s transition to a fully organic state has inspired other regions to adopt similar practices.

10. Jeevan Tirtha Yojana (Promotion of Organic Inputs)

• Launched by: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Year: 2015
• Objective: This initiative focuses on promoting the use of organic fertilizers and bio-inputs to reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers.
• Details: Jeevan Tirtha Yojana encourages the production and use of organic inputs like compost, vermicompost, and bio-fertilizers. It supports farmers in accessing affordable organic inputs, thereby encouraging the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and reducing environmental pollution caused by chemical fertilizers.

11. National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

• Launched by: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
• Year: 2010
• Objective: NMSA is designed to promote sustainable agricultural practices, including organic farming, through integrated soil health management, water-use efficiency, and conservation of natural resources.
• Details: NMSA promotes the adoption of organic farming as part of a broader goal to increase agricultural sustainability. The mission focuses on improving soil health through organic farming practices and ensuring water-use efficiency by integrating organic farming systems with water conservation measures.

12. Agriculture Export Policy

• Launched by: Ministry of Commerce & Industry
• Year: 2018
• Objective: The policy includes initiatives to boost the export of organic agricultural products, promoting India as a key player in the global organic market.
• Details: The policy aims to increase India’s share in global organic markets by promoting the export of organic produce. It focuses on developing export-oriented organic farming clusters, improving organic product certification, and providing infrastructure for better packaging and marketing of organic exports.