Parliament Panel Proposes Roadmap to Boost Sustainable Farming; Emphasises KVKs, MSP for Organic Crops, and AI in Agriculture
The Estimates Committee of Parliament has laid out a comprehensive and evidence-based roadmap for promoting sustainable farming in India. A key highlight of the report is the recommendation to empower Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) as central agents of change in the face of challenges like climate change and the excessive use of chemical inputs.
The report, focused on the performance of the Ministry of Agriculture, calls for making natural and organic farming economically viable, scientifically validated, and widely adopted across the country.
Support for Organic Farming
To ensure fair compensation for organic farmers, the committee proposed declaring Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for select organic crops. It recommended institutionalising the current 20–30% premium typically seen for organic produce by incorporating it into a formal MSP system.
However, the report also highlighted key challenges that hinder organic farming’s growth, including high labour costs, difficult terrains, poor market access, and shortages of key inputs like bio-fertilisers. It noted that the lack of quality bio-fertilisers affects both the productivity and sustainability of organic practices.
The committee urged the Ministry to increase financial support for organic inputs, certification, and infrastructure, particularly through schemes like the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). It also called for logistical support in remote areas, subsidies for labour-intensive practices, and efforts to address the bio-fertiliser shortage.
To improve market access, the panel recommended strengthening both offline and online market linkages and setting up dedicated organic retail outlets in urban areas. Also Read | Assam to encourage more scientific research into organic farming
Praise for Climate Resilience Efforts
The panel lauded the Ministry’s work under the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) initiative. The programme has helped farmers adapt to changing climate conditions by developing resilient crop varieties, conducting risk assessments, and providing training and capacity-building support.
Push for Digital Technology and AI
The committee also welcomed the Ministry’s use of digital tools and AI-based technologies, urging for broader adoption. It noted that AI-powered predictive models can help farmers receive real-time alerts on weather, pest outbreaks, and crop health. These systems can act as early warning mechanisms for extreme weather events like floods and droughts.
To expand the reach of such technologies, the panel suggested forming partnerships with tech companies, agricultural universities, and research institutions to make AI tools more affordable, user-friendly, and accessible to farmers, especially in remote and underdeveloped regions.
Call for KVK Rankings and Accountability
The report strongly recommended reintroducing regular performance rankings for KVKs to ensure transparency and accountability. It noted that the last evaluation, conducted in 2018 by the National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development (NILERD) under NITI Aayog, assessed KVKs based on infrastructure, impact, and quality of work.
However, the committee pointed out that no evaluations have been conducted since then, making it difficult to track improvements or ongoing challenges. It called on the Ministry to implement district-wise rankings of KVKs at regular intervals for more effective performance monitoring and support.
Conclusion
The committee’s report presents a forward-looking blueprint to mainstream sustainable farming in India. With strong recommendations on organic MSPs, improved infrastructure, climate resilience, digital adoption, and performance tracking, the panel believes the cooperative efforts of government bodies, research institutions, and farmers can drive a sustainable agricultural transformation.
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