State Project Management Team (PMT):

States can engage consultants, technical assistants at state and district level having technical and administrative expertise for providing technical guidance and effective monitoring of the scheme implementation. States can decide the number based on their requirements at State and District level. Financial support for the same will be drawn from 2% administrative costs provided to the States.

Functions of the State Implementing Department:

• Prepare annual State Level Action Plan by compiling District-wise Action Plan and submit to the State Level Executive Committee (SLEC) for approval and there after forward the same to EC
• Receive funds from DA&FW for implementation and oversee its implementation, regular monitoring & review of programme. Facilitate monitoring by INM Division/ NCONF/RCONFs
• Implementing Department/ state implementing agency shall ensure that the clusters are linked to the market before the closure of the programme.
• Organize workshops, seminars and training programme for all interest groups/stakeholders at State/District level.
• Operationalize Information Communication Technology (ICT) enabled management system up to grass-root level.
• Supervise all activities related to implementation of plan, monitoring etc.
• Conduct independent evaluation to assess the performance of scheme in their States.
• Two percent (2%) of total allocation to the State may be earmarked for administrative and other contingent expenses. Expenditure in excess of 2% limit will be met by the States from their own resources.
• The State Government and other designated implementing agencies, to the extent possible, will ensure active participation of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the implementation of this scheme
• State Government may involve PRIs in publicizing the demonstrations and training of farmers and in ensuring participation of farmers from nearby areas for widespread dissemination of technology.

States may prefer Women farmers / Women Self Help Groups formed under Ministry of Rural Development while choosing the organic farming areas.

Regional / Local Centres of Excellences (RCEs)

States at their discretion can identify Regional/Local Centre of Excellences which can be a state / Central Govt. / Non-Government institution having proven competence in Non-Chemical/Natural Farming and have capacities to implement programs, demonstrations, knowledge dissemination, trainings and hand holding of farmers and farmer groups in adoption of non-chemical farming methods and utilize their services. Such agencies, at the discretion of the state can also be entrusted with the implementation of the mission objectives.

Block Level implementation:

In order to focus first on awareness creation followed by capacity building, training, handholding, knowledge transfer and create natural farming clusters, the scheme proposes to identify practicing natural farmer and organize farmers field school (FFS) in the first year involving both kharif and rabi crops, where participating farmers will be provided with hands on practical training on natural farming techniques and methodologies. In the subsequent year, willing farmers will be registered under natural farming clusters. The State governments will be at liberty to choose the beneficiary Gram Panchayats / villages at the block level. Selection of Champion farmer and community resource person to be done in consultation with Gram Panchayat after due verification of heir competence and involvement in natural farming activities. Selection of farmers for registration in clusters should also be done in consultation wih local Gram Panchayat.