Focus: GS-II Social Justice, GS-III Agriculture, Prelims
Why in news?
International experts in a convention organized on 29 May by NITI Aayog endorsed efforts to significantly boost agroecological and natural farming approaches in India.
Highlights
- The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana was launched in 2015 to promote organic farming among small and marginal farmers and in the last four years covered 7 lakh hectares and 8 lakh farmers.
- India’s pioneering leadership in the arena of agroecology was acknowledged by the experts.
- Conclusive evidences shared suggested that natural farming and other agroecological approaches, such as organic agriculture, have great promise for a renaissance of Indian agriculture, so that farming is not just productive but truly regenerative and sustainable.
What is Agroecology?
- Agroecology is the study of ecological processes applied to agricultural production systems.
- In simple terms it is the science of applying ecology to agriculture for sustainable outcomes that are more resilient to climate shocks such as droughts or flooding and pest attacks but are still productive and support farmer’s livelihoods.
- The field of agroecology is not associated with any one method of farming, whether it be organic, integrated, or conventional, intensive or extensive, although some use the name specifically for alternative agriculture.
- Bringing ecological principles to bear can suggest new management approaches in agroecosystems.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
- “Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana” is an elaborated component of Soil Health Management (SHM) of major project National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
- Under PKVY (Not to be confused with Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana PMKVY) Organic farming is promoted through adoption of organic village by cluster approach and PGS certification.
The Scheme envisages:
- Promotion of commercial organic production through certified organic farming.
- Produce will be pesticide residue free and will contribute to improve the health of consumer.
- It will raise farmer’s income and create potential market for traders.
- It will motivate the farmers for natural resource mobilization for input production.
