(a) whether the Government has taken any new initiative for the promotion of organic farming in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) the details of steps taken by the Government in the field of research and development (R&D) in the field of organic farming during the last two years and if so, the details thereof?
(a): Government of India is promoting organic farming in country through the newly launched sub - schemes i.e Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). The details of the schemes and State - wise status is given at Annexure l and IA and ll and II A.
(b): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through its Plan Scheme “Network Project on Organic Farming” (NPOF) is undertaking research to develop location specific organic farming package of practices for crops and cropping systems. Presently, the project is being implemented in 20 centres covering 16 states. Organic farming package of practices for 45 crops/cropping systems have been developed to provide technical backstopping to Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) scheme being implemented in the country.
ICAR has recently established National Organic Farming Research Institute (NOFRI) at Tadong, Gangtok (Sikkim).
In order to promote organic farming, Council has developed improved and efficient strains of biofertilizers specific to different crops and soil types under Network project on Soil Biodiversity-Biofertilizers. Liquid Biofertilizer technology with higher shelf-life has also been developed. Besides, the Council has developed technology to prepare bio-enriched compost using various organic wastes fortified with biofertilizers. The ICAR imparts training, organises FLDs etc. to educate farmers on use of biofertilizers.