Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): India has a long history of traditional farming practices that conserve soil, water, and biodiversity. Yet, over the years, the rise of chemical-intensive agriculture has raised concerns about soil degradation, water pollution, and food safety. To tackle these issues and support farmers, the government launched the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in 2015 under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture.
What is PKVY?
PKVY is a government scheme designed to promote cluster-based organic farming. It encourages farmers to adopt chemical-free farming practices, improve soil health, and access better markets for their produce. The scheme focuses on creating eco-agriculture ecosystems where farmers receive technical training, financial support, and certification, helping them transition to organic farming in a structured and profitable way.
How the Cluster Approach Works
Under PKVY, farmers are grouped into clusters of 20 hectares each. This collective model helps ensure uniform organic standards, reduces costs through shared resources, and promotes knowledge sharing.
Through these clusters, farmers learn to use organic inputs, improve soil fertility, diversify crops, and adopt sustainable farming methods. Training and hands-on support help farmers make the shift from chemical-dependent agriculture to eco-friendly practices.
The scheme’s objectives include:
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Promoting farming that conserves natural resources and improves soil health.
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Reducing reliance on chemical inputs.
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Increasing farmer incomes through organic production.
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Producing safe, chemical-free food for consumers.
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Supporting farmer collectives in farming, processing, and certification.
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Connecting farmers to local and national markets.
Financial Support Under PKVY
To encourage adoption, the government provides Rs 31,500 per hectare over three years, divided into:
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Rs 15,000 for on-farm and off-farm organic inputs (via Direct Benefit Transfer).
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Rs 4,500 for marketing, packaging, and branding.
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Rs 3,000 for certification and residue analysis.
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Rs 9,000 for training and capacity building.
This ensures that farmers not only switch to organic practices but also get help with branding, certification, and selling their produce at better prices.
Certification Systems
One of the key challenges for organic farmers is credibility. PKVY addresses this through:
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Third-Party Certification (NPOP) – Complies with international standards and helps farmers access global markets.
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Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India) – A community-based certification for domestic markets, allowing small farmers affordable access.
The Large Area Certification (LAC) program, launched in 2020–21, fast-tracks certification in areas with no prior chemical farming, such as tribal regions, islands, and eco-sensitive zones. This reduces the conversion period from 2–3 years to a few months.
How Farmers Can Apply and Avail Subsidy
Farmers with up to two hectares of land can apply through their Regional Councils, which guide them through the registration and certification process. Once the Annual Action Plan is approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, funds are released via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to cover organic inputs, training, certification, and marketing support. This ensures timely and transparent financial assistance directly reaches the farmers.
Achievements So Far
Since 2015, PKVY has made significant progress:
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25.30 lakh farmers across 52,289 clusters have adopted organic farming on 15 lakh hectares.
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Large-scale adoption in Sikkim, Lakshadweep, Car Nicobar, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh.
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Sikkim became the first 100% organic state in the world under LAC.
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The Jaivik Kheti portal connects 6.23 lakh farmers, local groups, suppliers, and buyers, facilitating direct sales of organic produce.
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Over Rs 2,265 crore released under PKVY (2015–25).
Gaps and Challenges in PKVY
Despite its achievements, PKVY faces several challenges. Limited awareness and training in remote areas can slow adoption, while small and marginal farmers often struggle with the initial transition to organic methods. Market linkages for certified organic produce remain uneven across regions, and ensuring timely certification and quality checks continues to be a bottleneck. Addressing these gaps is crucial for scaling up organic farming and ensuring long-term sustainability. With ongoing digital integration and expansion into Large Area Certification, PKVY continues to shape a sustainable and self-reliant agricultural future.
