(a) whether the Government has considered to provide support to farmers who opt for Zero Budget Natural Farming to popularise this method of farming among the small and marginal farmers to reduce the input cost;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) to (c): Government has been implementing Zero Budget Natural Farming renamed as Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP), a sub scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2020-21 for the promotion of traditional indigenous practices for farmers including small and marginal farmers. The scheme mainly emphasizes on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching; use of cow dung-urine formulations; plant-based preparations and time to time working of soil for aeration. Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis.
As of now, an area of 4.09 lakh ha is covered in 8 states and Rs. 4980.99 lakh has been released. The State –wise details of area covered and funds released under BPKP is given at Annexure - I.