New Delhi, Dec 14 (KNN)  Towards holistic development of the agricultural sector, the government has in place various schemes that promote organic farming, soil fertility, etc.

“The Government is promoting organic farming through various schemes like National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility (NPMSH&F) Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and also Network Project on Organic Farming of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)” said a release from the Ministry of  Agriculture and Food Processing Industries.

The NPOF scheme provides assistance upto 25 per cent and 33 per cent of financial outlay upto a ceiling of Rs 40 lakhs and Rs 60 lakhs respectively is provided as back ended subsidy through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for establishment of bio-fertilizers production units and agro waste compost production units respectively.

NHM is being implemented since 2005-06 in 18 states and 3 Union Territories for the holistic development of horticulture in the country. The remaining States are covered under HMNEH.

NHM and HMNEH provide help for activities such as vegetable seed production, protected cultivation, organic farming and INM/IPM measures for vegetables.

RKVY, a vegetable Initiative for urban clusters (VIUC) is also being implemented since 2011-12 to address production and supply chain issues of vegetables in state capitals, and identified cities with a population of 1 million and above.

NPMSH&F provides financial assistance of Rs 500 per hectare to promote use of organic manure. The financial assistance is provided on the basis of project proposals received from states.

With regard to the production of vegetables, it has increased from 129.07 million tonnes in 2008-09 to 159.51 million tonnes in 2012-13. (KNN/ST)