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- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Nurturing Organic Farming in India
- Ministry of Textiles celebrates ‘World Cotton Day’ 2025
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Nurturing Organic Farming in India
Why in News ?
- As of 30 January 2025, ₹2,265.86 crore released under PKVY (2015–25).
- ₹205.46 crore released under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for PKVY during FY 2024–25.
- 15 lakh hectares under organic cultivation; 52,289 clusters formed; 25.30 lakh farmers benefited (as of Feb 2025).
- Jaivik Kheti Portal records: 6.23 lakh farmers, 19,016 local groups, 89 input suppliers, and 8,676 buyers (Dec 2024).
Relevance : GS III – Agriculture, Environment & Economy
- Promotes chemical-free organic farming, aligning with sustainable agriculture goals.
- Enhances soil fertility, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration — crucial for climate resilience.
- Strengthens agri-value chains, market linkages, and organic branding via Jaivik Kheti Portal.
- Example of eco-friendly technology integration in agriculture (traceability, blockchain).
- Contributes to doubling farmer income and inclusive rural development.
What is PKVY ?
- Launch Year: 2015–16.
- Under: National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
- Objective: Promote cluster-based organic farming to reduce chemical inputs, restore soil health, and ensure sustainable livelihoods.
- Approach: Cluster approach—minimum 20 ha area per cluster managed collectively.
Core Objectives
- Promote eco-friendly, low-cost, chemical-free agriculture.
- Enhance soil fertility and conserve biodiversity.
- Create market linkages for organic produce.
- Empower small & marginal farmers through collective certification and capacity building.
- Strengthen organic value chains and rural branding.
Coverage and Scale (as of 2025)
- Clusters formed: 52,289.
- Farmers benefitted: 25.30 lakh.
- Area under organic farming: ~15 lakh hectares.
- Funds released (2015–25): ₹2,265.86 crore.
- RKVY support (FY 2024–25): ₹205.46 crore.
Financial Assistance
- ₹31,500 per hectare over 3 years (per cluster).
- ₹18,700 – On-farm & off-farm organic inputs (biofertilizers, compost, green manuring).
- ₹7,500 – Certification & residue analysis.
- ₹5,300 – Marketing, branding, and training.
- Disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for transparency.
Implementation Framework
- Regional Councils (RCs) act as facilitators between farmers and State governments.
- RCs prepare Annual Action Plans (AAPs) consolidating farmer applications.
- AAPs approved by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoAFW).
- Central funds → State Govts → Regional Councils → Farmers (via DBT).
- Focus on training, certification, marketing, and infrastructure support.
Certification Systems under PKVY
(a) Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India):
- Community-based certification for domestic markets.
- Relies on peer verification, mutual trust, and collective responsibility.
- Cost-effective, ideal for small and marginal farmers.
(b) National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP):
- Third-party certification for export markets.
- Ensures compliance with international organic standards (EU, USDA).
- Managed by APEDA, under Ministry of Commerce.
Large Area Certification (LAC)
- Introduced: 2020–21.
- For regions where no chemical inputs ever used (tribal belts, hilly/island areas).
- Fast-track certification: Conversion period reduced from 2–3 years to a few months.
- Enhances market access and export readiness.
- Supports India’s Organic Bharat Vision by scaling certification rapidly.
Technological & Market Integration
- Jaivik Kheti Portal:
- Online platform linking farmers → buyers → certifiers → consumers.
- Facilitates direct sale, traceability, and price transparency.
- Registered entities (as of Dec 2024):
- 6.23 lakh farmers
- 19,016 local groups
- 89 input suppliers
- 8,676 buyers
- Digital initiatives reduce intermediaries, promote fair pricing, and improve traceability.
Benefits & Outcomes
- Economic:
- Reduction in input cost (up to 30–40%).
- Price premiums (20–25%) for organic produce.
- Increased income diversification via intercropping and value addition.
- Environmental:
- Soil health restoration and carbon sequestration.
- Enhanced biodiversity and pollinator population.
- Reduced groundwater contamination and chemical runoff.
- Social:
- Community-level cooperation and knowledge exchange.
- Empowerment of small/marginal farmers.
- Strengthening of local brands and cooperatives.
North-East India Achievements
- Sikkim:
- 63,000 ha under organic farming via LAC.
- First fully organic state recognized globally.
- Received ₹1,849 crore under PKVY.
- Assam:
- 4,400 ha under organic farming; 9,740 farmers engaged.
- Received ₹3,013 crore.
- Other NE States (Arunachal, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya):
- Combined 4,140 ha covered.
- Received ₹2,337 crore collectively.
- Impact: NE region emerging as a bio-diverse organic hub, leveraging low chemical dependency and unique agro-climatic zones.
Challenges
- Limited market linkages in non-metro regions.
- High certification costs and complex processes for small farmers.
- Need for post-harvest infrastructure and value addition facilities.
- Insufficient consumer awareness and domestic demand for organic products.
- Need for scientific validation of yield and nutrient equivalence.
Way Forward
- Strengthen public-private partnerships for marketing and exports.
- Expand Jaivik Kheti 2.0 with blockchain-based traceability.
- Promote Organic Clusters near urban areas for direct supply chains.
- Integrate with Soil Health Card Scheme and PM-PRANAM for synergy.
- Institutionalize Organic Research & Training Centres under ICAR.
- Encourage agri-startups for organic input production and logistics.
Broader Significance
- Aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
- Contributes to India’s Net Zero and soil carbon sequestration goals.
- Acts as a pillar of Atmanirbhar Krishi and Viksit Bharat 2047 vision through sustainable food systems.
Ministry of Textiles celebrates ‘World Cotton Day’ 2025
Why in News
- Celebrated on 7 October 2025 in New Delhi by the Ministry of Textiles and Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI).
- Theme emphasized long-term sustainability and competitiveness in the cotton value chain.
- Focus on Kasturi Cotton Bharat as India’s flagship brand symbolizing purity, quality, and sustainability.
- Several MoUs signed between textile companies, farmer producer organizations, and research institutions to strengthen the brand and enhance cotton value addition.
Relevance : GS III – Economy, Agriculture & Environment
- Illustrates farm-to-fashion value addition under India’s 5F Vision (Farm → Fibre → Factory → Fashion → Foreign).
- Addresses low cotton yield and introduces Mission for Cotton Productivity to close yield gaps.
- Promotes traceable, sustainable cotton (Kasturi Cotton Bharat) – integration of blockchain and AI-based farming.
- Enhances export competitiveness, carbon neutrality, and circular textile economy.
- Supports India’s climate-smart agriculture and sustainable industry goals.
Objectives and Targets
- Develop India into a USD 350 billion textile economy by 2030, including USD 100 billion in exports.
- Achieve carbon neutrality in the textile sector by 2030.
- Launch of a Mission for Cotton Productivity to bridge India’s yield gap with global standards.
- Promote climate-smart, traceable, and high-value cotton through technology and certification systems.
Importance of Cotton to India
- Cotton supports over 6 million farmers and provides employment to 45 million people across spinning, weaving, processing, and apparel sectors.
- India cultivates 40% of the world’s cotton area but yields only ~450 kg lint/ha, compared to ~2,000 kg/ha in advanced cotton-growing countries.
- Cotton remains vital for farm incomes, export earnings, and India’s textile competitiveness.
Core Themes of World Cotton Day 2025
- Technology: Modernization of ginning, digital traceability, and precision farming.
- Climate: Adaptation strategies for rain-fed cotton regions, water efficiency, and soil conservation.
- Competitiveness: Branding, certification, contamination control, and export-oriented quality assurance.
Key Initiatives Highlighted
- Mission for Cotton Productivity:
- To increase yield through high-density planting systems (HDPS), better seed quality, and mechanized practices.
- Kasturi Cotton Bharat:
- India’s official premium cotton brand emphasizing purity, sustainability, and traceability.
- Aims to position Indian cotton alongside premium global varieties like Egyptian Giza and American Supima.
- Digital Transformation:
- Blockchain-based traceability systems for contamination-free cotton.
- Smart labelling for verified origin and sustainable practices.
- Diversification:
- Promotion of natural fibres such as milkweed, ramie, and flax to reduce dependence on conventional cotton.
Supporting Schemes and Institutional Mechanisms
- ATUFS (Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme): Financial support for modernization of textile units.
- PM MITRA Parks Scheme: Creation of integrated textile and apparel manufacturing hubs.
- National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM): Development of new-age fibres and sustainable materials.
- Cotton Corporation of India (CCI): Procurement, digital marketing, and farmer support initiatives.
- CITI & TEXPROCIL: Industrial coordination for exports, quality enhancement, and global outreach.
Technology and Sustainability Focus
- Promotion of precision agriculture, AI-based pest control, and sensor-based irrigation.
- Integration of renewable energy in cotton ginning and spinning operations.
- Encouragement of sustainability certifications (e.g., GOTS, OEKO-TEX) and eco-labelling.
- Expansion of data-driven extension services to train farmers in productivity and quality management.
Quality, Certification, and Traceability
- Traceable supply chains from farm to fabric through Kasturi Cotton digital systems.
- Emphasis on contamination-free cotton, improved ginning standards, and quality labelling.
- Adoption of sustainability benchmarks to meet global trade requirements and boost consumer confidence.
Key MoUs and Collaborations
- Commercial, Community, and Council MoUs signed under Kasturi Cotton Bharat with textile manufacturers, FPOs, certification agencies, and export clusters.
- Aim: Create a unified platform for quality assurance, branding, and international marketing of Indian cotton.
Expected Outcomes
- Higher farmer income through yield improvement and price premium for branded organic cotton.
- Increased export competitiveness through standardized quality and traceable supply chains.
- Reduced carbon footprint via efficient water use, renewable energy, and sustainable production systems.
- Global recognition for India as a producer of trusted, traceable, and premium cotton.
Broader Implications
- Contributes to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
- Strengthens India’s textile ecosystem under the 5F Vision — Farm → Fibre → Factory → Fashion → Foreign.
- Positions India as a global hub for sustainable and ethical textiles by 2030.
Cotton in India – Important Points
- Largest Cotton Area Globally:
India cultivates about 40% of the world’s cotton area (~120 lakh ha) but contributes only ~25% of global production due to low yield (~450 kg lint/ha vs. global ~800–1,000 kg/ha). - Major Producing States:
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh dominate; classified into three cotton zones — Northern, Central, and Southern (ICAR-CICR). - Agro-Climatic Needs:
Warm climate (21–30°C), 50–100 cm rainfall, and black regur soil are ideal. Cotton is mainly a Kharif crop, often rain-fed in Central India. - Economic Importance:
Employs ~45 million people, supports 6 million farmers, and contributes 10% of agricultural GDP and 12% of export earnings. - Institutions & Missions:
Key bodies include Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), ICAR–CICR, and schemes like Technology Mission on Cotton, PM MITRA, ATUFS, and the upcoming Mission for Cotton Productivity (2025). - Kasturi Cotton Bharat:
India’s premium national cotton brand symbolizing purity, quality, and sustainability — aims to rival Egyptian Giza and American Supima in global markets. - Bt Cotton Dominance:
Introduced in 2002, covers ~90% of cotton area. Improved pest resistance and yields but led to monocropping, pest resurgence (pink bollworm), and biodiversity concerns.
