Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana: Advancing Sustainable Farming Practices in India
India is a predominantly agriculture-based country. In 2019, around half of India’s workforce, or roughly 250 million people, were involved in agriculture-related activities. Despite the large population involved in agriculture, the country’s agricultural sector faces several challenges such as low yield, soil fertility degradation, and insufficient income for farmers. To address these issues, the government of India has launched several schemes and initiatives, one of which is the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
What is PKVY?
PKVY, which translates to “Traditional Agriculture Development Scheme,” is a flagship program launched by the government of India in 2015. The primary objective of PKVY is to promote sustainable farming practices and improve the income and livelihood of farmers by promoting organic farming. The scheme aims to increase the area under organic cultivation by providing technical and financial support to farmers and encouraging them to adopt traditional and organic farming practices.
Under the scheme, farmers are encouraged to cultivate crops on a cluster-based approach, covering a minimum of 50 acres of land, and practice organic farming for at least three years. The government provides financial support to farmers to meet various expenses related to organic farming, such as the cost of organic inputs, organic seeds, and certification processes. The scheme also provides training and technical support to farmers on various aspects of organic farming.
Objectives of PKVY
The primary objectives of PKVY include:
1. Promoting sustainable farming practices: The scheme aims to promote sustainable farming practices and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can have long-lasting effects on the environment and human health.
2. Improving the income and livelihood of farmers: By promoting organic farming, the scheme aims to improve the economic condition of farmers by increasing their yield and farm income. Organic produce also fetches a higher price in the market, leading to better returns for farmers.
3. Encouraging traditional farming practices: The scheme promotes traditional and organic farming practices that have been used in India for centuries. Such practices are environment-friendly and also help in preserving traditional knowledge and practices.
Benefits of PKVY
The scheme has several benefits, including:
1. Increased yield: Organic farming practices can improve soil fertility and lead to higher crop yield.
2. Improved soil health: Organic farming practices can help improve soil health and prevent soil degradation.
3. Reduced dependency on chemical inputs: By reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, organic farming practices promote a healthy and sustainable environment.
4. Better returns for farmers: Organic produce typically commands a higher price in the market, leading to better returns for farmers.
5. Employment generation: The scheme can generate employment opportunities related to organic farming such as processing, marketing, and certification.
Conclusion
PKVY is an important initiative that is aimed at promoting sustainable farming practices and improving the income and livelihood of farmers in India. The scheme has the potential to bring about significant changes in the Indian agricultural sector by reducing the dependency on chemical inputs and promoting traditional and organic farming practices. The scheme deserves widespread support, and its successful implementation will go a long way in promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation in India.