Government Schemes Promoting Organic Farming

The Indian Government has introduced three significant schemes to promote organic farming in the country. These are:

1. Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana – Launched in 2015-16, this scheme promotes the marketing of certified organic produce and encourages organic farming. As of 2018, this scheme has converted more than 23,000 hectares of land into organic farming land, benefitting approximately 400,000 farmers.
2. Mission Organic Chain Development for the North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) – This mission, launched in 2015-16, focuses on the North-Eastern part of India. It aims to link farmers with consumers and develop the entire supply or value chain.
3. National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP) – Under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce, this programme certifies the quality of organic agricultural products in India, facilitating their export to other countries.

The Pioneers of the Green Revolution

The Green Revolution owes its genesis to Norman Borlaug, who is fondly referred to as its father. His groundbreaking work in agriculture won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 and saved billions of lives from starvation. The Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation played pivotal roles in this revolution. In India, the Green Revolution was spearheaded by M S Swaminathan. Launched in 1965, the Indian Green Revolution led to a dramatic increase in food grain production, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Understanding Minimum Support Price (MSP)

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is the base price set by the Government of India at which it will buy crops from farmers if the market prices fall below a certain threshold due to bumper harvest. The MSP is announced at the beginning of the sowing season for certain crops, based on the advice of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices. The primary objective of this scheme is to shield farmers from distress sales.

The above details would help candidates prepare for UPSC 2023 .

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