Parliament Question: Reducing Cost of Organic Produce

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2831 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 10TH MARCH, 2026 REDUCING COST OF ORGANIC PRODUCE

2831. SHRI. PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has undertaken any study to identify solutions to reduce the cost of agricultural produce that is organically grown;

(b) if so, the details of steps taken by the Government to reduce costs of organically grown produce over the last five years;

(c) the details regarding the steps taken to increase the use of agricultural produce that is organically grown by consumers in rural and urban areas across India, especially in Andhra Pradesh;

(d) whether the Government has undertaken any steps to increase awareness of agricultural produce that is organically grown by citizens; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, has undertaken research studies to identify solutions for reducing the cost of organically grown agricultural produce. Under All India Network Programme on Natural Farming (AINP-NF) (earlier All India Network Programme on Organic Farming), organic farming packages for different cropping systems have been developed. These target reduction of cost of cultivation by promoting on-farm organic inputs such as nutrients, botanical formulations for pest and disease management, seed etc.(b): Organic farming is promoted through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all the States/UTs including Andhra Pradesh except North Eastern States. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) for the North Eastern States is operational in North Eastern states. Both schemes stress on end-to-end support to farmers engaged in organic farming i.e. from production to processing, certification and marketing. Primary focus of the schemes is to form organic clusters, with preference to small and marginal farmers, to create a supply chain. Under PKVY scheme, assistance of Rs. 31,500 per ha is provided over 3 years for promotion of organic farming. Out of this, assistance of Rs. 15,000 per ha is

provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for on- farm /off –farm organic inputs, financial assistance of ₹4,500 per ha for marketing and branding, ₹3,000 per ha for certification, and ₹9,000 per ha for training and capacity building.

(c): As informed by State Government of Andhra Pradesh, 1,089 farmer markets have been established. These reduce intermediaries and strengthen direct marketing channels for farmers. The state is also promoting value addition of Organic and Natural commodities through primary processing, grading, packaging, and small-scale to improve shelf life and minimize losses. State is organizing Buyer–seller meets for facilitation of direct connections between farmers, bulk buyers, retailers, and institutional consumers. A Food Basket model has been implemented in 59 Health & Nutrition villages through Self Help Groups (SHGs), supplying natural farming commodities for household needs and is being expanded to another 340 villages.

Further, farmers are encouraged to participate in Organic melas, exhibitions, and conferences at regional, state, and national levels with farmer aggregators and natural farming farmer.

(d) & (e): Government has taken steps to increase awareness of agriculture produce i.e organically grown by citizens through schemes like PKVY and MOVCDNER. Under these scheme, financial supports are provided to farmers for capacity building, training, certification and promotion of organic farming practises. Awareness about organic produce is promoted through demonstration, farmers training, workshops, organic melas, exhibitions and Buyer-Seller Meets etc to create awareness among farmers as well as consumers about the benefits of organic produces.

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