Indian Council of Agricultural Research through ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming System Research, Modipuram operates a research scheme of All India Network Programme on Organic Farming (AI-NPOF) with 20 cooperating centres covering 16 States to develop package of practices for organic production of crops. Scientific package of practices have been developed for 51 cropping systems suitable for 12 states. These packages involve the use of green and green leaf manures, bio-fertilizers, enriched composts, oilcakes, vermin-composts, microbial consortia, bio-control agents and other bio-pesticides for nutrient, insect and disease management under organic farming conditions. ICAR-IISS, Bhopal has developed biofertilizers/bioformulations, which can save NPK fertilizer by 10-25%. Further, ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms, Mau has developed microbe-based technologies for soil health and plant nutrition. Bureau has also developed four bio-pesticides formulations that are effective against a number of soil and seed-borne pathogens. Government has launched schemes namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) & Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). These schemes aim at development of sustainable models of organic farming through a mix of traditional wisdom and modern science to ensure long term soil fertility build-up, resource conservation and helps in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The process of certification of organic production for domestic and export market is regulated by National Centre for Organic Farming, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research has a network of 722 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). KVKs impart training on various facets of agriculture and allied sectors including production of organic inputs to the farmers. During the last one year, the KVKs trained 22000 farmers on production of organic inputs. Cluster demonstrations on organic farming under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana is being implemented by 411 KVKs covering 8220 ha area since 2019-20. KVKs are involved in cluster formation through exposure visits and training of field functionaries, Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) certification of organic farming, incentive to farmers for organic conversion, inputs, on farm infrastructure, organization of trade fairs, organic fairs, Education and training is continuous process. Training is provided to farmers according to demand and new developments in the area.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Rajya Sabha today.