Skip to main content
Loading page, please wait…
HomeCurrent AffairsEditorialsGovt SchemesLearning ResourcesUPSC SyllabusPricingAboutBest UPSC AIUPSC AI ToolAI for UPSCUPSC ChatGPT

© 2026 Vaidra. All rights reserved.

PrivacyTerms
Vaidra Logo
Vaidra

Top 4 items + smart groups

UPSC GPT
New
Current Affairs
Daily Solutions
Daily Puzzle
Mains Evaluator

Version 2.0.0 • Built with ❤️ for UPSC aspirants

  1. Home
  2. Prepare
  3. Government Schemes
  4. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers WelfareactiveagricultureLaunched: 2015-01-01

About the Scheme

A sub-component of the Soil Health Management (SHM) scheme under the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), PKVY promotes organic farming through a cluster-based approach to improve soil health and increase farmer income.

Target Beneficiaries: Farmers interested in adopting organic farming practices, particularly small and marginal farmers.

Implementing Agency: State Agriculture Departments and their agencies, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • Cluster-based approach for organic farming adoption.
  • Financial assistance provided for input procurement, packaging, and marketing.
  • Organic certification through Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) or NPOP.
  • Training and capacity building for farmers on organic farming techniques.
  • Emphasis on value chain development for organic products.

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • Farmers willing to take up organic farming in identified clusters.
  • Farmers must be part of a cluster of at least 20 hectares (50 acres) or a group of minimum 20 farmers.
  • Farmers must adhere to the organic farming standards prescribed under the scheme.

★Benefits

  • Financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 per hectare over three years.
  • Access to organic certification and branding.
  • Improved soil health and reduced input costs.
  • Enhanced market access and better price realization for organic produce.

▶Application Process

  • Identification and formation of farmer clusters by the State Agriculture Department.
  • Preparation of a cluster action plan and submission to the State Level Executive Committee.
  • Approval of the cluster plan and allocation of funds.
  • Implementation of organic farming practices, training, and certification activities by farmers.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of progress by implementing agencies.

₹ Budget Allocation

500

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 (90:10 for NE/Hilly states; 100% for UTs)

Exam Relevance

GS Paper: GS3

Prelims Relevance8%
Mains Relevance9%

Syllabus Tags

Organic FarmingSustainable AgricultureSoil Health ManagementFarmer IncomeNational Mission for Sustainable AgricultureAgricultural SubsidiesRural Development

Historical Context

Launched in 2015 as a sub-component of Soil Health Management under the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).

Exclusion Criteria

  • Individual farmers not part of a cluster (minimum 20 hectares)
  • Farmers using synthetic fertilizers or pesticides

Sub-Schemes

Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP)

Promoting chemical-free farming with zero cost of production, often integrated with PKVY.

Challenges

  • Lower yields during the initial transition period (3 years)
  • Lack of dedicated marketing channels and 'Organic Brands' for cluster produce
  • Tedious documentation requirements for PGS-India certification for illiterate farmers
  • Inadequate supply of organic inputs (bio-fertilizers, seeds) at scale

Reforms & Recommendations

  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for organic inputs instead of physical distribution
  • Creating 'Organic Zones' around eco-sensitive areas
  • Integration with e-NAM for better price discovery of organic produce

Performance Statistics

Metric

11.85 Lakh Hectares

Source: PIB

Metric

32,384

Source: Ministry of Agriculture

Critical Analysis

PKVY is India's flagship project for 'Green Agriculture' 2.0. Unlike the Green Revolution's focus on input-intensive yields, PKVY focuses on 'Soil Health' and 'Chemical-free' value chains. Its greatest strength is the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India), which makes certification affordable for smallholders compared to expensive third-party export certifications. However, the 'Yield Gap' during the 3-year transition period from chemical to organic remains a significant deterrent for poor farmers, necessitating better income-support mechanisms.

SDG Linkages

SDG 2 (Sustainable Agriculture)SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)SDG 15 (Life on Land)

Constitutional Backing

Article 48 (Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines)Seventh Schedule (Agriculture - State List)

Technology Used

PGS-India Web PortalMobile App for cluster geo-taggingBio-pesticide kits

Success Stories

Dhar Organic Cluster Success

Key Takeaways

  • Cluster-based approach (minimum 20 hectare/50 acres)
  • PGS-India certification for domestic markets
  • Financial assistance of ₹50,000 per hectare for 3 years
  • Focus on traditional wisdom + modern science

Probable Questions

How does the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) aim to promote sustainable agriculture through the cluster-based Participatory Guarantee System?

MediumMedium

Mains Answer Fodder

Useful for answers on: 1. Sustainable Development. 2. Soil Health and Land Degradation Neutrality. 3. Food Safety and Nutrition. 4. Low-Input Cost Farming (Zero Budget Natural Farming). 5. Climate-smart agriculture.

Convergence Schemes

  • National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
  • Mission Organic Value Chain Development for NE Region (MOVCDNER)
  • PM-PRANAM

Sector Tags

AgricultureEnvironmentSustainability
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra