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250 Economic Survey 2021-22

Natural Farming

7.36 The main aim for promotion of Natural Farming is elimination of chemical fertilisers
and pesticides usage and promotion of good agronomic practices. Natural Farming also aims
to sustain agriculture production with eco-friendly processes in tune with nature to produce
agricultural produce free of chemicals. Soil fertility & soil organic matter is restored by natural
farming practices. Natural farming systems require less water and are climate friendly.

7.37 Natural farming in India is being promoted through a dedicated scheme of Bharatiya
Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP). The scheme promotes on-farm biomass recycling
with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations, periodic
soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs. Under BPKP, financial assistance
of Rs 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous
handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis. State-wise area covered
under the scheme is shown in Figure 19.

Figure 19: Area Covered under BPKP as on 07.12.2021 (in ‘000 ha).

Source: Based on data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

ALLIED SECTORS: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING

7.38 Livestock Sector is an important subsector of agriculture in the Indian economy. It grew
at a CAGR of 8.15 per cent during 2014-15 to 2019-20 (at constant prices). As per the estimates
of National Accounts Statistics (NAS) 2020 for sector wise GVA of agriculture and allied
sectors, the contribution of livestock in total agriculture and allied sector GVA (at constant
prices) has increased from 24.32 per cent (2014-15) to 29.35 per cent (2019-20). Livestock
sector contributed 4.35 per cent of total GVA in 2019-20. Development of livestock sector has
led to improvement in per capita availability of milk, eggs and meat (Figure 20).