The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) is India's primary scheme for helping farmers transition from chemical-based to certified organic farming. The PKVY scheme provides financial assistance, free PGS-India certification, training, and market access so that farmers can adopt organic methods without bearing the cost or risk of income loss.
This guide covers everything about the PKVY yojana, including its objectives, subsidy structure, benefits, eligibility, application process, documents required, and the latest updates for 2026.
Key Takeaways — PKVY 2026:
What is Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)?
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) is a flagship Government of India scheme launched in 2015 to promote organic farming in a structured and profitable way. It is a sub-component of the Soil Health Management (SHM) programme under the larger National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), which is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
The main idea behind PKVY is simple — to help farmers move away from chemical-intensive farming and adopt traditional, eco-friendly methods that protect soil fertility, water quality, and human health. The scheme provides farmers with financial support, training, organic certification, and marketing assistance so they can transition to organic farming without facing income loss.
The scheme promotes the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India) form of organic certification, which is built on mutual trust, locally relevant, and mandates the involvement of producers and consumers in the certification process. PGS-India operates outside the framework of "Third Party Certification".
Unlike most schemes that work farmer-by-farmer, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana follows a cluster-based approach. Farmers are grouped into clusters of about 20 hectares each (around 50 farmers per cluster). This group model makes it easier to manage organic inputs, certification, and market access collectively.
The scheme originally targeted the formation of 10,000 clusters of 20 hectares each, aiming to bring nearly two lakh hectares of agricultural area under organic farming by 2017-18.
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana Objectives
The main objectives of the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana are:
- To promote organic farming across India through a cluster-based model
- To improve soil health and reduce soil degradation caused by chemical farming
- To reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides
- To produce chemical-free, nutritious food through eco-friendly farming methods
- To improve farmer income by accessing premium organic produce markets
- To certify organic produce through PGS-India at no cost to farmers
- To build farmer capacity through training and demonstrations
- To empower farmers to manage their own production, processing, and certification through farmer-led clusters
- To encourage farmers to become organic entrepreneurs through direct market access
- To provide market linkages through the Jaivik Kheti portal
- To support branding and packaging of organic produce
- To conserve natural resources like soil, water, and biodiversity
- To encourage women, SC/ST, and small farmers to adopt organic farming
- To integrate traditional knowledge with modern organic methods
PKVY – Subsidy Structure and Funding Pattern
PKVY Subsidy Structure
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana provides a financial assistance of ₹31,500 per hectare over three years, distributed across four key components covering the entire organic farming value chain.
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Component
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Subsidy Amount
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Major Use
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Organic Inputs
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₹15,000
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On-farm & off-farm organic inputs — bio-fertilizers, vermicompost, organic manure
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Marketing & Value Addition
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₹4,500
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Packaging, branding, marketing, value addition, market linkages
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Certification & Residue Analysis
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₹3,000
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PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) certification and residue testing
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Training & Capacity Building
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₹9,000
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Cluster formation, farmer training, skill development, soil testing, handholding support
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PKVY Funding Pattern
The funding of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana is divided between the Centre and the States in different ratios.
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State Category
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Central Share
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State Share
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General States
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60%
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40%
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North-East & Himalayan States
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90%
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10%
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Union Territories
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100%
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–
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Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana Benefits
The Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) offers a wide range of benefits that support farmers at every stage of their journey from chemical-based to certified organic farming.
Financial Support for Organic Farming Clusters
- Each farmer receives up to ₹50,000 per hectare over 3 years, with a cap of 1 hectare per farmer
- Of this, ₹31,500 goes directly to the farmer's bank account through DBT for purchasing organic inputs
- Each cluster of 20 hectares gets a total budget of ₹14,95,030 over 3 years
PGS-India Organic Certification
- Free organic certification under PGS-India with no cost to the farmer
- Covers soil testing, on-field verification, residue testing, and the full certification process
Training and Skill Development
- Hands-on training through state agriculture departments, KVKs, and Regional Councils
- Topics include composting, vermiculture, bio-fertilizer preparation, natural pest control, and crop diversification
Transitioning to Organic Farming
- Financial help for farmers switching from chemical-based to organic farming
- Provision for sourcing organic seeds and setting up nurseries
- Support to build on-farm units for producing organic inputs, vermicompost, bio-fertilizers, and plant-based pest control extracts
- Help with planting nitrogen-fixing trees for natural soil enrichment
Custom Hiring Centre (CHC)
- Farmers can rent agricultural tools and machinery required for organic farming operations through Custom Hiring Centres.
Packaging, Branding, and Market Access
- Funding for packaging materials with official PGS organic logo and hologram
- Help with branding, promotion, and transportation of organic produce to markets
- Direct selling through the Jaivik Kheti online portal and participation in organic fairs
How Does Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana Work?
The PKVY scheme works on a unique cluster-based farming model. Here's how the process unfolds step-by-step:
Step 1: Cluster Formation
- A minimum of 50 farmers come together to form a cluster
- Each cluster covers approximately 20 hectares (about 50 acres)
- Farmers must have adjacent or nearby lands for easier monitoring
- Each cluster elects a Lead Resource Person (LRP) to coordinate activities
Step 2: Training & Capacity Building
- All farmers in the cluster receive training on organic farming methods
- Topics covered: composting, vermiculture, bio-fertilizers, natural pest management, certification
- Training is conducted by state agriculture officers, KVKs, or Regional Councils
Step 3: Soil Testing & Baseline Assessment
- Soil samples are collected from each farm and tested
- Baseline yield and input cost data are recorded
Step 4: Adoption of Organic Practices
- Farmers stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides
- Switch to compost, vermicompost, bio-fertilizers, panchgavya, and jeevamrut
- Crop rotation and intercropping are actively encouraged
Step 5: Financial Assistance via DBT
- After verification and approval, the subsidy is released directly to the farmer's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Year 1 subsidy covers cluster formation, training, soil testing, and organic inputs
- Payments continue over the 3-year transition period as per the approved plan
Step 6: PGS-India Certification
- The cluster receives PGS-India organic certification after 3 years of organic practice
- Certification is completely free under PKVY
- Mutual peer-review by cluster farmers ensures genuine organic compliance
Step 7: Marketing & Branding
- Organic produce is sold under a common cluster brand via the Jaivik Kheti portal
- Buyers, traders, and exporters connect directly with farmer clusters
- The government provides packaging and labelling support
PKVY Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the PKVY scheme, farmers must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- A farmer who is ready to shift to organic farming.
- The farmer must join a cluster or Local Group registered under the PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System) programme.
- The farmer must be a member of a cluster covering about 20 hectares (50 acres) in one nearby area.
How to Apply for Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
Step 1: Contact Your Agriculture Office or Regional Council
- Visit your District Agriculture Office, Block Agriculture Office, or Regional Council
- Inform them about your cluster's interest in joining the PKVY scheme
- The officer will explain state-specific procedures and provide the required forms
Step 2: Submit PKVY Application Form to Regional Council
- Fill the official PKVY application form in the prescribed format
- Include cluster details, farmer information, land records, and bank details
- Attach all required documents and submit the application to the Regional Council
Step 3: Document Verification and Action Plan
- The Agriculture Department officials verify all documents and conduct a field visit for land and cluster verification
- After verification, the Regional Council prepares an Annual Action Plan for the cluster and sends it to the State Government
Step 4: PGS-India Registration
- The Regional Council registers the Local Group under the PGS-India programme
- User ID and password are issued to the cluster for registration on the PGS portal
- All farmers in the cluster sign the prescribed pledge to follow organic farming practices
Step 5: Inspections and Quality Control
- Peer appraisals and field inspections are conducted across the cluster
- Soil testing and quality control activities are carried out
- The Certificate Approval Committee evaluates whether the cluster meets PGS requirements
Step 6: Certification and Financial Assistance
- The Regional Council issues certification approval and Scope Certificate
- Financial assistance is released to farmers based on approved activities and implementation progress
- Subsidy is transferred directly to the farmer's bank account through DBT
Documents Required for PKVY Registration
Keep these documents ready before starting your PKVY registration
- Aadhaar Card (mandatory for all cluster farmers)
- Land Details / Land Records (Khasra, Khatauni, 7/12 extract)
- Bank Account Details with IFSC code for Direct Benefit Transfer (Aadhaar-linked)
- Passport-size Photograph
- Mobile Number linked to Aadhaar
- Application Form for Entry into PGS Local Group
- Application Form for Registration of Local Group with Regional Council
- Soil Sample And Testing Records (During Certification Process
- PGS Farmer Pledge (signed by all cluster farmers)
- Farmers History Sheet
- Caste Certificate (for SC/ST applicants, if applicable)
- Authorisation Letter (for FPOs, SHGs, or NGOs applying on behalf of farmers)
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana Helpline Number & Contact Information
For PKVY-related queries, use these official channels:
Toll-Free Helpline: 1800-180-1551
NCONF Office: +91 120-2764906 / +91 120-2764212
Official Portals
State-Level Help
- District Agriculture Officer (DAO) — first point of contact for application
- Block Agriculture Office — for cluster registration and field verification
- Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) — for training and demonstrations
- State Department of Agriculture & Cooperation — for policy queries
- Regional Council — for PGS-India certification queries
