New Delhi: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Mr Radha Mohan Singh said that in view of the importance of organic farming, with emphasis on sustainable production, food security and soil health, Central Government is committed to promote organic farming. Mr Singh was speaking on the inauguration of Krishi Mela based on Organic Farming in Ghaziabad.
The Minister of Agriculture said that the Government is promoting organic farming across the country through the dedicated scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Organic Value Chain Development for Northeast regions (OVCDNER under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
Mr Singh said that Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana(PKVY) scheme is the first comprehensive plan based on a 20 hectare cluster whose implementation is done by the state governments. In a cluster maximum financial assistance of up to 1 hectare is provided to the farmers. Every farmer of a cluster will be provided financial assistance Rs 50,000 per hectare during the 3 years period. 10,000 organic clusters of 20 hectare will be developed to cover certified area by 2 lakh hectare during the 3 years.
The Minister also said that under PKVY scheme, the Annual Action Plan of 29 States and 1 Union Territory was approved with total outlay for Rs. 511.76 crore to develop 7186 clusters out of which Rs 226.00 crore has been released during 2015-16. To achieve the target 10,000 clusters, 2814 clusters to be prepared during the 2016-17 under centrally sponsored scheme Pramaparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in which Rs 297 crore has been allocated for the scheme during 2016-17.
