Adoption of Organic Farming: Assessing the Impact of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

Indian agriculture is increasingly challenged by environmental degradation, excessive dependence on chemical inputs, and unsustainable production practices, which collectively threaten long-term agricultural productivity and ecological balance. In this context, organic farming has emerged as a viable and sustainable alternative due to its potential to improve soil health, conserve biodiversity, and ensure food safety. To promote organic cultivation, the Government of India launched the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture with a cluster-based approach. The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of PKVY and to identify key factors influencing the adoption of organic farming practices in Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh. An ex post facto research design was adopted, with a sample of 100 farmers, comprising 50 PKVY beneficiaries and 50 non-beneficiaries selected through simple random sampling. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule, and statistical analyses were performed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and Z-test to assess variations and relationships among the variables. The findings revealed that family size, landholding, area under organic farming, annual income, innovativeness, market orientation, awareness of PKVY activities, extension contact, training on organic farming, and attitude towards organic farming were positively and significantly correlated with adoption at the 5 per cent level of significance. Furthermore, experience in organic farming and environmental orientation showed a positive and highly significant relationship with adoption at the 1 per cent level. These results emphasize the critical role of socio-psychological and communicational factors in shaping sustainable farming behaviour. In conclusion, while PKVY has had a considerable impact on enhancing the adoption of organic farming among beneficiary farmers, addressing operational constraints through strengthened policies, infrastructure development, and farmer-oriented support systems is essential for scaling up organic farming in India.