Learning from the Sikkim experience, the Modi government on Monday announced bringing 5 lakh acres of rainfed land under organic farming over the next three years.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced the allocation of Rs 412 crore for two schemes – Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region – that seek to promote organic farming.
“The ‘Parmparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana’ will bring 5 lakh acres under organic farming over a three-year period,” Jaitley said.
In January, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared Sikkim as the first state to fully practice organic farming. Modi had urged other states to explore whether they can promote organic farming in at least one block or one district as it would help farmers earn more by selling their products in the niche market.
The government would also make “productive use” of the allocations under MGNREGA to build 10 lakh compost pits for production of organic manure.