Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) - A journey to enrich farmers' pockets while enriching the soil

 Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana  (PKVY) - A journey to enrich farmers' pockets while enriching the soil

Agriculture, considered the backbone of India's economy, is facing numerous challenges today. The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is not only depleting soil fertility but also contaminating water sources and negatively impacting farmers' health. According to the World Health Organization, chemical residue-related illnesses affect millions of farmers every year. In this context, the Central Government has presented the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), launched in 2015, as a ray of hope. This scheme not only encourages farmers to adopt organic farming but also aims to strengthen them economically and protect the environment. By 2025, the government aims to bring 600,000 hectares under organic farming, which will give the country's agriculture a sustainable direction. PKVY promotes organic farming through a cluster-based model, where more than 50 farmers form a group. The scheme is completely genuine and is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, whose official website and PIB releases prove its authenticity.

PKVY's motto is "farming with nature." Under the scheme, farmers receive financial assistance of ₹31,500 per hectare for three years. Of this, ₹15,000 is transferred directly to the farmer's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), while the remaining ₹16,500 is spent on organic inputs such as seeds, manure, bio-fertilizers, and bio-pesticides. This arrangement ensures that funds are not misused and farmers actually adopt organic methods. The scheme places a special focus on small and marginal farmers, who manage 85% of the country's total agricultural land. The application process is simple: farmers register by forming a cluster through the local agriculture department or the online portal nfsa.gov.in. Once approved, training sessions begin, where experts teach the intricacies of organic farming. The 2024-25 budget allocated ₹300 crore for this scheme, a 20% increase from the previous year. This not only helps increase incomes but also reduces the cost of chemical farming by 30-40%, as demand for organic products is rapidly increasing in the global market.

There is a special version of PKVY for the northeastern states – Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). The hilly and tribal lands here are ideal for organic farming, but lack of infrastructure has been a major obstacle. Under MOVCDNER, assistance of ₹46,500 per hectare is provided over three years – ₹32,500 for inputs and ₹15,000 directly to the farmer. Its aim is to make the Northeast an "organic hub." For example, Assam and Manipur have already covered 50,000 hectares, enabling farmer groups to collectively brand. This has not only strengthened the local economy but also boosted exports.

PKVY is not just about money; it provides farmers with hands-on guidance. Under the scheme, experts from agricultural universities and NGOs train farmers on organic fertilizer production, crop rotation, and natural pest management methods. Furthermore, the organic certification process is free or subsidized, ensuring products meet international standards. For market access, the government integrates the e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) and dedicated mandis for organic products. Packaging and branding assistance is also provided, enabling farmers to sell with the "Made in India Organic" label. In 2025, the scheme is adding digital training modules where farmers can access video tutorials via a mobile app.

Now let's talk about the actual impact, so the power of the scheme becomes clear. Imagine Ramlal, a small farmer from Uttar Pradesh. He owns 2 hectares of land, where he previously spent Rs 20,000 annually on chemical fertilizers. After joining the PKVY cluster, he purchased organic manure and neem-based pesticides with assistance of Rs 31,500 in the first year. Learning from the training, he adopted crop rotation—planting pulses after wheat, which increased soil fertility by 25%. In the second year, his organic grain fetched a 30% higher price at local supermarkets. Overall, Ramlal's income increased by Rs 50,000 over three years, and health problems also decreased.

Take another example: Sunita, a tribal farmer from Tripura. Under MOVCDNER, her group grew organic betel nut and turmeric on 10 hectares. The assistance of Rs 46,500 per hectare helped them set up a collective processing unit. Previously, their crops were limited to the local market, but after certification, they began selling in organic stores in Delhi. Sunita's group now exports ₹2 lakh annually, and 20 new women in the village have found employment. These examples demonstrate that PKVY not only benefits individuals but also strengthens communities. Another case is from Rajasthan, where farmer Hariya, in a drought-affected area, adopted bio-fertilizers from PKVY. Previously, crops would wither due to water shortages, but organic methods retained soil moisture, and production increased by 40%. Such tangible changes speak volumes about the scheme's success.

The long-term benefits of this scheme are numerous. Chemical-free farming improves soil health – increasing organic matter, which helps combat climate change. Farmers' costs are reduced, as organic produce is 20-50% more expensive. Environmental benefits are also significant: biodiversity increases, bees and beneficial insects return, and rivers remain clean. From a health perspective, chemical-free grains reduce diseases like cancer. Studies show that soil pH has balanced in PKVY areas, which will lead to lasting improvements over 10-15 years.

Finally, PKVY is a strong step towards making India a hub for global organic agriculture. Demand for organic products in Europe and the United States is growing at 15% annually, and India could become a leader. The government aims to cover 1 million hectares by 2025, including through training and export policies. But farmer participation is essential for success. If you're a farmer, contact your local agriculture office – this scheme will not only change your life, but also leave a greener planet for future generations. PKVY proves that progress and nature can go hand in hand.