Sustainable and organic farming is vital for safeguarding the environment, enhancing soil fertility, and ensuring long-term food security. By using organic inputs, these practices protect natural resources, promote biodiversity, improve water retention, and help combat climate change. Recognizing the importance of these sustainable farming methods, the Indian government has made significant strides in promoting organic agriculture. One such initiative is the ‘National Mission on Natural Farming,’ which received a substantial funding increase in the Union Budget for 2025-26—an additional Rs 516 crore, raising its allocation from Rs 100 crore in the 2024-25 Revised Estimates (RE) to Rs 616.01 crore.
Through the adoption of organic farming practices, farmers can not only enhance soil health but also reduce production costs and achieve higher yields, all while producing safer, healthier food for consumers. Additionally, organic farming fosters rural economic growth by creating new market opportunities and boosting farmers’ profitability, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.
Government Initiatives Promoting Sustainable Farming
The Indian government has launched several initiatives under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), a crucial component of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), to promote organic and sustainable farming. These initiatives aim to enhance farming practices, improve soil health, and ensure water efficiency.
Key programs include Rainfed Area Development (RAD), which supports integrated farming systems in rainfed regions, and On-Farm Water Management (OFWM), which enhances water use efficiency through micro-irrigation techniques. Soil Health Management (SHM) and the Soil Health Card (SHC) initiative ensure balanced fertilization and improved soil fertility, while the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) encourages traditional organic farming practices.
Subhash Khetulal Sharma - A Living Example of Natural Farming’s Success
Subhash Khetulal Sharma, a 73-year-old farmer from Yavatmal district in Maharashtra, has transformed his 16-acre farm into a model of natural farming. After abandoning chemical fertilizers in 1994 due to declining yields, Sharma shifted to regenerative farming practices, boosting his farm’s productivity from 50 tonnes to 400 tonnes by 2000. His dedication to sustainable practices, focusing on soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity, earned him the Padma Shri award in 2025. As Sharma says, “Natural farming is about nurturing the land, not exploiting it,” and his farm serves as a learning hub for others to adopt ecological farming methods.
Sharma advocates for urgent action to address climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity, warning that without a shift in agricultural practices, the future of farming is at risk. He stresses the importance of ecological farming, urging policymakers to prioritize sustainability over short-term economic gains and to recognize the true value of farmers' labor. "If we do not consider the climate change aspect in farming, we will be ruined. We have only around seven years more to act," he cautions. His work continues to inspire farmers across India, showing how natural farming can restore the land, improve productivity, and create a more resilient agricultural future.
MOVCDNER: Strengthening Organic Agriculture in Northeast India
To strengthen organic agriculture in Northeast India, the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) was introduced in 2015-16 with an initial allocation of Rs 400 crore. As of June 2024, Rs 1,150.09 crore has been allocated, supporting 379 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). The initiative has covered 189,039 farmers over 172,966 hectares, establishing 394 collection centers, 123 processing units, and 145 transport vehicles to improve market access.
Clean Plant Programme (CPP): Revolutionizing Horticulture
The Clean Plant Programme (CPP), approved in August 2024 with an investment of Rs 1,765.67 crore, is revolutionizing horticulture by providing virus-free, high-quality planting materials. This program is expected to enhance yields, increase farmers’ incomes, and improve certification and infrastructure for nurseries. It also aims to strengthen India’s export potential by establishing nine advanced centers for crops like grapes, apples, almonds, walnuts, and citrus fruits.
PM-PRANAM: Reducing Fertilizer Dependence
To reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers, the PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM-PRANAM) has been launched. This program allocates 50% of fertilizer subsidy savings to states for organic and natural farming while setting Market Development Assistance (MDA) at Rs 1,500 per metric ton for fermented organic manure.
Additionally, the government is promoting climate-resilient crops by introducing 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties across 32 crops, with a goal of transitioning one crore farmers to natural farming. This transition is supported by 10,000 bio-input centers, focusing on organic oilseeds and pulses such as mustard, soybean, and sunflower.
Key Schemes for Sustainable Agriculture
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
Since its inception in 2015-16, the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) has significantly advanced organic farming, with Rs 2,078.67 crore invested as of June 2024. The program has developed 38,043 clusters, each covering 20 hectares, bringing 841,000 hectares under organic cultivation. Various states have established organic brands, including Made in Mandla (Madhya Pradesh), Organic Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu Organic Product (TOP), Sahi Organic (Maharashtra), Jaivik Jharkhand, Aadim Brand and Bastar Naturals (Chhattisgarh), Five Rivers (Punjab), and Tripureshwari Fresh (Tripura).
- Natural Farming
PKVY also supports natural farming, covering 4.09 lakh hectares across eight states, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Tamil Nadu.
- Namami Gange Programme
Namami Gange Programme, with an allocation of Rs 272.85 crore, has facilitated organic farming in 9,551 clusters over 1.91 lakh hectares and has afforested 134,106 hectares in the Ganga basin states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
- Jaivik-Kheti Portal
An online platform supporting 6.23 lakh registered farmers for direct organic sales.
- Large Area Certification (LAC)
The Large Area Certification (LAC) scheme, introduced in 2020-21, has certified naturally organic areas, including 14,445 hectares in Andaman & Nicobar, 5,000 hectares proposed in Ladakh, 2,700 hectares fully certified in Lakshadweep, and 60,000 hectares in Sikkim, supported by a Rs 96.39 lakh investment.
Strengthening India’s Organic Market
The government is also focusing on strengthening India’s organic market. The 8th edition of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) has simplified organic certification, while APEDA’s Organic Promotion Portal connects farmers with global markets. TraceNet 2.0 enhances transparency in organic certification, and the AgriXchange Portal provides valuable market insights for organic exporters.
Road Ahead: Expanding Organic Farming
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Robust value chains will create employment and enhance India's global market reputation.
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Stronger packaging and marketing strategies will help farmers get fair prices.
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Capacity building for farmers will improve adoption rates of organic techniques.
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Increased research into modern organic methods will boost productivity.
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Expansion of organic farming initiatives will enhance India’s global standing in sustainability.
Policy Imperatives for Strengthening Organic Farming
To ensure the success and sustainability of organic farming in India, it is crucial to establish robust policy measures that address existing challenges and create a supportive ecosystem for farmers. Key policy imperatives include:
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Strengthening Institutional Frameworks – The government should enhance regulatory frameworks for organic certification, making them more farmer-friendly and accessible.
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Incentivizing Organic Farming – Policies should provide direct subsidies, tax benefits, and financial support to farmers transitioning to organic agriculture.
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Market Development & Infrastructure – Expanding organic marketplaces, processing facilities, and value chain development will help ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
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Research & Innovation – Increased investment in R&D for organic farming techniques, bio-fertilizers, and climate-resilient organic crop varieties will drive productivity.
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Capacity Building & Training – Government initiatives should focus on training farmers in best organic practices and ensuring access to quality organic inputs.
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Public-Private Partnerships – Encouraging collaboration between government agencies, private enterprises, and research institutions can drive large-scale adoption of organic farming.
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Global Trade & Certification Alignment – Aligning India’s organic certification standards with global benchmarks like USDA Organic and EU Organic can boost export opportunities.
In conclusion, organic farming offers a transformative solution to critical challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and declining agricultural productivity. By reducing reliance on harmful chemicals, it not only rejuvenates the soil but also fosters long-term sustainability. Government initiatives like the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North East Region (MOVCDNER) have created a solid foundation by providing both financial support and technical guidance to farmers.
However, to truly make organic farming accessible and financially viable, it is essential to focus on reducing the barriers that farmers face during the transition. Strengthening extension services, offering training, and ensuring the availability of organic inputs will empower farmers to overcome these challenges and enjoy the long-term benefits of organic agriculture, including reduced input costs and better market prices.
To fully realize the potential of organic farming, a farmer-centric policy framework is important. Policies should incentivize organic practices, improve access to markets, and provide the necessary financial backing. Collaboration between government agencies, agricultural experts, and farmers will be key to creating a resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem. By implementing strong policy measures that prioritize accessibility, financial support, and market development, we can ensure the success of these initiatives. With sustained efforts and technological innovations, India’s journey towards organic agriculture will not only be achievable but will also lead to a prosperous, environmentally sustainable future for the farming community.
With the right policies, a farmer-friendly approach, and collaborative efforts, India can build a thriving organic farming sector that delivers both economic and environmental benefits, ensuring a sustainable agricultural future for generations to come.
