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1. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): Nurturing Organic Farming in India
2. 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

1. 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).
2. Major Producing States:
   Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh dominate; classified into three cotton zones — Northern, Central, and Southern (ICAR-CICR).
3. 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.
4. Economic Importance:
   Employs ~45 million people, supports 6 million farmers, and contributes 10% of agricultural GDP and 12% of export earnings.
5. 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).
6. 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.
7. 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.