I want to switch part of my land to organic and I keep hearing about subsidy but no one tells me clearly which scheme gives money and how to apply. Can someone explain the actual route?
3 Answers
The main central scheme for organic subsidy is Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) under the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture, and for natural farming it is the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF). PKVY works on a cluster basis, not single farmer applications, so the money flows to a group of farmers who farm together in a cluster and the assistance covers things like organic inputs, training, PGS certification and some marketing support. The North East has a separate dedicated scheme called MOVCDNER with higher per unit support. The practical first step is not to apply online on your own but to go to your block agriculture office or the district agriculture officer and ask which clusters are being formed this year and whether a new cluster can be registered for your village. State rates and the exact per acre assistance change from year to year, so confirm the current PKVY assistance figures and cluster size with your agriculture department or on the official scheme portal before you plan your budget. Do not pay any private agent who promises to get you the subsidy directly.
I joined through a cluster that our FPO organised. Alone they kept sending me back. Once 20 of us applied together as a group the block office took it seriously. So find or form a group first.
One warning, an agent told me he would get me 50000 organic subsidy for a 5000 fee. I checked at the block office and it was all going to the cluster, not individual cash to me. Saved my money by asking the officer directly.