Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar told Lok Sabha that the Government is promoting ‘non-chemical farming’ by the names ‘organic and natural farming’ through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) as well as Bharitya Prakratik Krishi Padhati along the river Ganga.
Centre provides financial assistance of Rs 31000/ ha / 3 years for organic inputs
It must be noted that the PKVY scheme is implemented in all the states across India. Under this scheme, farmers are given financial assistance of Rs 31000 per ha per three years for organic inputs like seeds, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, organic manure, compost/ vermicompost, botanical extracts etc. Necessary funds under the scheme are released directly to the farmer-beneficiaries as Direct Benefit Transfer in their bank accounts.
Besides this, support is also provided for group or Farmers Producers Organization (FPO) formation, training, certification, value addition & marketing of their organic produce.
Under Namami Gange Programme, a total of Rs 120.49 crore (Rs 67.36 cr from RKVY and Rs 34.20 cr from PKVY) has been given to 6181 clusters and 123620 ha area covered.
The minister said that as such, there is no detrimental effect of chemical fertilizers on soil health if used in a balanced and judicious way. But, investigations carried out under the All India Coordinated Research Project on ‘Long Term Fertilizer Experiments’ over 5 decades at fixed sites have shown that continuous/overuse of nitrogenous fertilizer alone had a harmful effect on soil health & crop productivity showing deficiencies of other major & micronutrients.
Hence the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) recommends soil test-based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjunctive use of both inorganic as well as organic sources (manure, bio-fertilizers etc.) of plant nutrients for judicious use of chemical fertilizers to improve soil health.
Furthermore, growing leguminous crops and use of Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) are also encouraged. ICAR gives training, organizes Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) to teach farmers on all these aspects.
Integrated Nutrient Management
The government is promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) that includes soil test-based balanced and integrated use of chemical fertilizers in conjunction with organic sources of nutrients like Farm Yard Manure (FYM), city compost, vermicompost and bio-fertilizers that leads to saving in the use of chemical fertilizers.
For more information about Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, visit the official website of government of India.
