National Project on Organic Farming

The National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India to promote organic agriculture across the country. It aims to encourage sustainable farming practices, improve soil health, enhance farm productivity, and reduce dependence on chemical inputs. The project serves as a comprehensive framework for research, training, certification, and market development in organic farming, aligning with India’s broader goals of environmental conservation and rural prosperity.

Background and Objectives

The National Project on Organic Farming was initiated during the Tenth Five-Year Plan (2004–05) under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The project evolved from earlier efforts to reduce excessive use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, which had caused soil degradation, nutrient imbalance, and declining productivity in several regions.
Its primary objectives include:

• Promoting organic farming practices through the use of bio-fertilisers, compost, and organic manure.
• Strengthening quality assurance and certification systems for organic produce.
• Developing a network of organic input production units such as bio-fertilisers and organic manures.
• Building capacity among farmers and extension workers through training and field demonstrations.
• Creating market linkages for organic products at national and international levels.
• Encouraging sustainable soil fertility management and integrated nutrient systems.

Key Components of the Project

The National Project on Organic Farming integrates several activities that collectively support the growth of the organic sector in India. The main components include:

1. Promotion of Organic Inputs

To ensure the availability of quality organic inputs, the project supports the establishment of production units for:

• Bio-fertilisers (Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, PSB, etc.)
• Vermicompost and enriched compost
• Organic manure and city compost

Assistance is provided for setting up new units and strengthening existing ones to ensure farmers have access to cost-effective and reliable organic inputs.

2. Training and Capacity Building

Training is a core element of the NPOF. The project conducts regular training programmes for farmers, extension officers, scientists, and entrepreneurs on organic farming techniques, certification processes, and marketing. These programmes are organised through:

• Regional Centres of Organic Farming (RCOFs)
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
• State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)

3. Field Demonstrations and Model Farms

To encourage adoption, demonstration projects are conducted on farmers’ fields to showcase the benefits of organic farming in terms of soil fertility, crop yield, and quality improvement. Model organic farms are also established to serve as learning centres for neighbouring farmers.

4. Organic Certification and Quality Assurance

The project promotes certification under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), which is administered by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The NPOP sets standards for organic production, processing, and labelling in line with international norms.The NPOF provides technical and financial support to certification agencies and helps farmers transition to certified organic systems.

5. Research and Development

The project supports applied research on organic nutrient management, pest control using biocontrol agents, and development of crop-specific organic practices. Collaborative studies with agricultural universities and research institutes enhance the scientific foundation of organic farming methods.

6. Awareness and Market Development

Public awareness campaigns, exhibitions, and organic fairs are organised to promote consumer confidence in organic products. The project also facilitates linkages between farmers and marketing organisations, cooperatives, and exporters to strengthen domestic and export markets for certified organic produce.

Institutional Framework

The National Project on Organic Farming operates through a decentralised institutional structure:

• Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW): Nodal authority responsible for overall coordination and policy formulation.
• National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF), Ghaziabad: Acts as the central implementing agency providing technical support, training, and monitoring.
• Regional Centres of Organic Farming (RCOFs): Located in key agro-climatic regions such as Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Imphal, Jabalpur, Hisar, Nagpur, and Panchkula. These centres conduct training, field demonstrations, and quality testing of organic inputs.
• State Governments and Agricultural Universities: Participate in project implementation through training, extension services, and support for organic clusters.

Achievements and Impact

Since its inception, the NPOF has made significant contributions to the promotion of organic agriculture in India:

• Establishment of over 20 bio-fertiliser and organic manure production units across various states.
• Development of a network of Regional Organic Centres providing training and laboratory facilities.
• Increased awareness and adoption of organic farming among small and marginal farmers.
• Contribution to the growth of India’s organic agriculture area, which now spans over 4 million hectares under organic certification (including wild harvest).
• Enhanced market presence of Indian organic products in both domestic and export markets, with major commodities including spices, tea, cotton, and pulses.

The NPOF has also laid the groundwork for later initiatives such as:

• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) – Cluster-based organic farming support programme.
• Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) – Focused on organic value chains in the North-East.

Challenges in Implementation

Despite notable progress, several challenges persist in achieving the full potential of organic farming in India:

• Limited awareness and training among farmers, particularly in remote regions.
• High certification costs and complex procedures for smallholder farmers.
• Short-term yield reduction during the transition from conventional to organic farming.
• Weak marketing infrastructure and inadequate price premiums for organic produce.
• Insufficient research on crop-specific organic management practices and pest control measures.

Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts in capacity building, research, and value chain development.

Significance and Future Prospects

The National Project on Organic Farming represents a major step towards sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. By promoting reduced chemical usage, enhancing soil biodiversity, and ensuring safer food production, the project supports India’s long-term goals of food security and ecological balance.