Introduction
India’s agriculture is undergoing a silent yet powerful transformation. Amid rising awareness about food safety, soil health, and sustainability, the government launched the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in 2015 to revive traditional, eco-friendly, and organic farming practices.
Implemented under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, PKVY aims to make farming both environmentally responsible and economically rewarding.
Through a cluster-based organic farming approach, PKVY empowers farmers to adopt low-cost, chemical-free methods while promoting certification, branding, and direct market access for organic produce.
Objectives of PKVY
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana focuses on creating an ecosystem where soil health, ecology, and farmer prosperity go hand in hand.
Key Objectives:
Restore soil fertility and ecological balance.
Reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Encourage low-cost, traditional, and chemical-free farming techniques.
Strengthen farmer collectives and organic clusters.
Support certification, branding, processing, and market linkages.
Enhance food safety and consumer confidence in organic produce.
Conserve water and natural resources.
Promote entrepreneurship in the organic value chain.
Improve farmer income through premium pricing and value addition.
PKVY bridges traditional wisdom with modern agricultural systems—making it a cornerstone of India’s sustainable agriculture vision.
Cluster-Based Approach: A Grassroots Model for Organic Farming
One of PKVY’s defining features is its cluster-based implementation model.
How It Works:
Farmers are organized into clusters of 20 hectares each.
Each cluster cultivates organic crops under uniform standards and shared practices.
Resource pooling minimizes input costs and simplifies training, certification, and marketing.
Benefits of Cluster Approach:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Uniform Practices | Ensures consistent organic standards across all farms. |
| Cost Sharing | Reduces expenses on inputs like compost and bio-fertilizers. |
| Collective Certification | Enables group-based Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification. |
| Better Bargaining Power | Strengthens farmer cooperatives for market negotiations. |
This bottom-up model not only empowers smallholders but also builds a community-driven ecosystem for sustainable agriculture.
Financial Support Structure (₹31,500 per hectare for 3 years)
Farmers enrolled in PKVY receive direct financial support through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to ensure transparency and accountability.
Break-up of Financial Assistance:
| Component | Amount (₹ per ha) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| On-farm & off-farm organic inputs | ₹15,000 | Compost, bio-fertilizers, green manure, bio-pesticides |
| Marketing, packaging & branding | ₹4,500 | Labeling, organic branding, sales promotion |
| Certification & residue analysis | ₹3,000 | Testing for chemical residues and certification costs |
| Training & capacity building | ₹9,000 | Farmer workshops, exposure visits, skill development |
Total Financial Assistance: ₹31,500 per hectare for 3 years
This structured funding ensures that even small and marginal farmers can sustainably transition to organic farming.
Implementation Mechanism
The implementation process of PKVY is systematic, transparent, and participatory.
Step-by-Step Mechanism:
Eligibility: All farmers or institutions with holdings up to 2 hectares can enroll.
Guidance: Regional Councils assist in cluster formation, training, and certification.
Planning: Individual cluster proposals are consolidated into Annual Action Plans (AAPs).
Funding: Ministry approves AAPs and releases funds to State Governments.
Distribution: States transfer funds to Regional Councils, which disburse DBT payments to farmers.
This multi-tier structure ensures timely fund flow, accountability, and effective monitoring at all levels.
Organic Certification Systems under PKVY
Certification is critical to ensuring trust in organic produce. PKVY supports two major certification systems suited for both domestic and export markets.
1. Third-Party Certification (NPOP)
Managed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Operates under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
Covers production, processing, trading, and exports.
Ensures compliance with global organic standards for international markets.
2. Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India)
Managed by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Based on peer-review and community participation.
Designed for small and marginal farmers.
Cost-effective and focused on domestic markets.
Why Dual Certification Matters
Together, these systems make organic certification accessible to all scales of farmers—from smallholders to export-oriented agripreneurs.
Large Area Certification (LAC): Fast-Tracking Organic Coverage
Introduced in 2020–21, the Large Area Certification (LAC) programme accelerates organic certification in areas where chemical farming has never been practiced—such as tribal belts, hilly regions, and islands.
Key Features:
Reduced Conversion Period: From 2–3 years to just a few months.
Cost Efficiency: Minimal certification expenses.
Natural Compliance: Based on traditional, chemical-free farming zones.
LAC Progress Highlights (2023–25):
| Region | Certified Area (ha) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Dantewada, Chhattisgarh | 50,279 | Tribal belt under full organic certification |
| West Bengal | 4,000 | Pilot cluster model in diversified cropping zones |
| Car Nicobar & Nancowry Islands | 14,491 | Island-wide certification under LAC |
| Lakshadweep | 2,700 | Entire cultivable land certified organic |
| Sikkim | 60,000 | Supported under LAC – World’s first fully organic state |
| Ladakh | 5,000 | Proposal approved for high-altitude organic farming |
LAC is a game-changer for remote areas—promoting natural farming ecosystems while empowering tribal and island farmers.
Digital Support: Jaivik Kheti Portal
Digital integration is central to PKVY’s modernization. The Jaivik Kheti Portal acts as a comprehensive platformconnecting all stakeholders in the organic value chain.
Key Features:
Farmer, buyer, and input supplier registration.
Direct farmer-to-consumer (F2C) marketing.
Traceability and transparency for organic products.
Digital certificates and transaction records.
Portal Statistics (as of December 2024):
| Category | Registered Entities |
|---|---|
| Farmers | 6.23 lakh |
| Local Groups | 19,016 |
| Input Suppliers | 89 |
| Buyers | 8,676 |
By eliminating middlemen, Jaivik Kheti enhances profitability, visibility, and trust in the organic marketplace.
Financial Achievements (2015–2025)
Since its inception, PKVY has demonstrated strong fiscal and operational performance.
Funding Overview:
₹2,265.86 crore released (as of January 2025).
₹205.46 crore allocated under RKVY for FY 2024–25.
Coverage Achievements:
| Parameter | Value (as of Feb 2025) |
|---|---|
| Area under organic farming | 15 lakh hectares |
| Clusters formed | 52,289 |
| Farmers benefitted | 25.30 lakh |
| Continuing area (2023–24) | 1.26 lakh ha |
| New area under conversion (2024–25) | 1.98 lakh ha |
This expanding coverage makes PKVY one of India’s largest community-led agricultural programmes.
Integration with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
PKVY integrates closely with India’s FPO movement to strengthen marketing, aggregation, and entrepreneurship in the organic value chain.
9,268 FPOs registered under the Central Sector Scheme for Formation & Promotion of 10,000 FPOs.
These FPOs serve as local anchors for organic aggregation, branding, and collective marketing.
This synergy ensures institutional sustainability and farmer empowerment at the grassroots level.
Key Benefits of PKVY
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Lower Input Costs | Compost and bio-fertilizers reduce dependency on chemical inputs. |
| Improved Soil Health | Higher organic matter and microbial activity enhance fertility. |
| Water Conservation | Organic soils retain moisture better. |
| Premium Pricing | Certified produce fetches higher market prices. |
| Environmental Sustainability | Reduces pollution and promotes biodiversity. |
| Empowered Farmer Collectives | Cluster model enhances community cooperation and decision-making. |
PKVY proves that sustainable agriculture and profitability can coexist through knowledge, cooperation, and technology.
Broader Impact on Rural and National Development
Beyond its direct benefits, PKVY supports several strategic national objectives:
Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Organic systems enhance soil carbon sequestration.
Rural Digitization: Promotes technology adoption through portals like Jaivik Kheti.
Export Growth: Boosts India’s share in global organic trade.
Cultural Integration: Blends paramparagat (traditional) wisdom with modern science.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat Alignment: Strengthens self-reliance in inputs, markets, and certification.
PKVY embodies India’s vision of sustainable, inclusive, and tech-enabled rural development.
Integration with National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)
In recent years, PKVY has been strategically aligned with the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) to create a unified organic ecosystem.
Key Integrations:
Encourages zero-chemical, low-input models.
Promotes farmer-led natural input production (jeevamrit, beejamrit, compost).
Builds synergy between organic and natural farming frameworks.
Together, PKVY and NMNF represent a comprehensive national shift towards environmentally regenerative agriculture.
Strategic Importance of PKVY
The long-term strategic significance of PKVY goes beyond agriculture—it supports India’s economic, environmental, and global sustainability goals.
Strategic Contributions:
Enhances long-term soil productivity and biodiversity.
Reduces vulnerability to volatile global fertilizer markets.
Promotes self-sufficiency in food systems.
Strengthens India’s commitment to SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG-12 (Responsible Consumption & Production).
Positions India as a leader in sustainable and organic agriculture globally.
Conclusion
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) has evolved from a pilot project into a nationwide organic movement. By integrating cluster-based farming, transparent funding, digital tools, and certification systems like PGS, NPOP, and LAC, it has successfully built a sustainable model of farmer empowerment, environmental stewardship, and economic resilience.
With millions of farmers benefiting and organic areas expanding year after year, PKVY not only revives India’s paramparagat (traditional) farming wisdom but also sets the course for a greener, healthier, and self-reliant agricultural future.
Why New Careers Academy Is Your Trusted Source for Agriculture and Current Affairs
At New Careers Academy, we bring you accurate, updated, and exam-focused insights on India’s government schemes, defence news, and current affairs.
Whether you’re preparing for UPSC, CDS, CAPF, or defence exams, our articles help you stay informed and confident with authentic, fact-checked, and easy-to-understand content.
Stay connected with New Careers Academy — your daily source of knowledge, growth, and exam success.
External Reference:
🔗 Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare – PKVY Portal
🔗 Jaivik Kheti Portal
🔗 PIB India – PKVY Updates
