Organic Farming Gains Momentum: Cluster Model and Key National Schemes Boost Farmers’ Income

To strengthen organic agriculture across India, the Central Government is implementing two flagship programmes the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). Since 2015–16, these schemes have been working to expand organic cultivation nationwide and build a strong organic ecosystem, especially in the North Eastern states.

Both schemes offer end-to-end support to farmers, covering production, processing, certification, and marketing. Their core objective is to promote organic farming clusters, prioritizing small and marginal farmers, and to strengthen the supply chain from farm to market.

Organic Farming Through Cluster-Based Model:

PKVY, groups of 500 farmers cultivate organic crops over 500–1000 hectares in a cluster-based approach. These clusters help reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides while promoting safe and chemical-free food production.

MOVCDNER, 479 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) have been formed so far, each consisting of an average of 500 farmers. As of 31 October 2025, organic cultivation has expanded to:

• 16.90 lakh hectares under PKVY
• 2.36 lakh hectares under MOVCDNER

Focus on Farmers’ Skill Development:

A detailed state-wise report on organic fertilizer production over the past three years is provided in Annexure-I, showcasing the growing adoption of organic inputs across the country.

Financial Assistance Provided:

• PKVY: ₹31,500 per hectare (over 3 years), including ₹15,000 per hectare through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for organic and non-chemical inputs.
• MOVCDNER: ₹46,500 per hectare (over 3 years), including ₹32,500 per hectare for organic inputs, of which ₹15,000 is provided via DBT.

PM-PRANAM: Reducing Dependence on Chemical Fertilizers:

The PM-PRANAM (Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth) initiative, states have been advised to:

• Reduce excessive use of chemical fertilizers
• Adopt Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)
• Promote natural and organic farming through schemes like PKVY and MOVCDNER

The demonstration mode of PKVY:

• Etawah district: 20 clusters over 400 hectares benefiting 673 farmers
• Fatehpur district: 20 clusters over 400 hectares benefiting 889 farmers

These clusters are emerging as successful model examples of organic farming and are inspiring farmers across other districts.