Scheme Guidelines

1. About BPKP

Bhartiya Prakratik Krishi Padhati (BPKP) is zero external input system of organic agriculture largely relying on the principles of Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is aimed at promoting traditional indigenous practices which gives freedom to farmers from externally purchased inputs and is largely based on on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching, use of on-farm cow dung-urine formulations (such as Bijamrit and Jivamrit); time to time working for soil aeration and exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs directly or indirectly. For ensuring certification under PGS- India programme, BPKP practices will be compliant to PGS-India standards.

Components of BPKP

2.  Implementation Strategy

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2.1  Selection of area and beneficiaries

a.  Dry lands, rainfed areas and tribal areas are to be given preference. Small and marginal farm holders including tenant farmers to be included as the preferred target group The cluster size will be of 1000 ha at block level i.e in each selected block one cluster will be formed. In a block, around 4-5 gram panchayats (10 villages) covering an area of around 1000 ha will be selected. Preference will be given to areas where social mobilization and presence of women self-help groups is strong. As far as possible, commodity-based clusters will be taken up. In case if cluster size is reduced below 1000 ha, then the funds shall be reduced proportionately. But in any case, the cluster size should not be less than 500ha.

b.  Convergence with schemes of DAC&FW and other ministries and departments will be ensured wherever possible. For example convergence with FPO scheme of MoA&FW, DAHDF on issues related to purchase, maintenance of cows, establishment of goshalas; convergence with NRLM/MKSP and other schemes of MoRD for utilising the strong socially mobilised groups; convergence with Seed village programme of DAC&FW for organic seed production; convergence with MIDH for promotion of horticulture crops etc. will be ensured to incorporate required elements into the programme.

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2.2  Deployment of manpower for handholding and capacity building

As per PKVY: norms a sum of Rs. 1500/- per ha per year will be provided for deployment of manpower (Rs. 15 lakh per year per 1000 ha block level cluster). Following functionaries/ resource persons shall be employed at each block level cluster.

a.  Champion Farmer and Cluster Coordinator: One Cluster Coordinator-cum- Champion Farmer (CCCF) will be deployed for each cluster of 1000 ha for formation of clusters and training the farmers. These champion farmers will be selected by the State Governments from the resource pool available with natural farming states like A.P. (RySS), H.P. or already trained farmers available in the country who have been involved in natural farming for quite some time. CCCF will be hired at an honorarium of Rs. 20,000/- pm.

b.  Senior Local resource person: One Senior Local Resource Persons (SLRP) will be deployed for each 1000 ha block level cluster. SLRP can be an experienced natural farmer or can be an agricultural graduate trained in natural farming systems under ZBNF principles and PGS certification systems. SLRP will also be responsible for data management and necessary documentation of the cluster. SLRP will be hired at a honorarium of Rs. 15,000/- pm.

c.  Local resource Person (LRP): Two LRPs will be deployed against every 1000 ha block level cluster. LRP will be an experienced natural farming farmer or person having 2-3 years of experience in management of BPKP/ ZBNF clusters or similar other natural farming systems. The resource persons available with the NGOs can also be chosen as senior LRP. CCCF, SLRP and LRPS will be the core resource persons for capacity building and continuous handholding. LRPs will be hired at a honorarium of Rs. 10,000/- pm.

d.  Community Resource Person (CRP): 10 CRPs will be hired for 1000 ha block level cluster and deployed at village level who can handhold the farmers and help them in implementation of the scheme. Out of the trained farmers in the village by Champion Farmers, some can be selected as Community Resource Persons (CRP) after training in the first year. These CRPs shall be located in the operational village and should be preferably resident of the same village. CRPs will be provided with a honorarium of Rs. 5,000/- pm.

e.  Cluster office management and data entry operations: Each 1000 ha block level cluster will be provided with a sum of Rs. 2.4 lakh per annum for management of cluster office, computer, internet, training kits (such as multimedia projector) and hiring of a data entry operator for documentation, data management and PGS certification requirements.

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2.3  Cluster formation, capacity building, exposure visits and training of field functionaries As per PKVY norms a sum of Rs. 1000/- per ha per year (Rs. 10 lakh per 1000 ha block level cluster) will be provided for cluster formation, continuous capacity building, trainings and exposure visits of field functionaries and farmers. Following capacity building activities will be taken up on annual basis:

a.  7 days on-field practical training including exposure visit to LRPs and CRPs: One 7 days training including exposure visit to natural farms will be organized for LRPs and CRPs every year at a cost of Rs. 50,000/-. This training will be provided by BPKP/ZBNF experts and Champion Natural farmers arranged by the State.

b.  Yearly Capacity building of all Resource Persons (CRP/LRP/Expert Farmers/SLRP etc) by external resource persons:
One two days annual capacity building training for all resource persons will be organized. A sum of Rs. 50,000/- will be provided for training of 15 persons.

c.  Capacity Building of Clusters through Expert Natural farming farmers/or Agriculture Graduate/ SLRP :
Cluster farmer training will be organized in batch of 50 farmers. In all 20 trainings will be organized at village level at a cost of Rs. 250/- per farmer. A sum of Rs. 2.5 lakh will be provided per year.

d.  Training of the farmers by LRPs and CRPs: 5 such trainings of one day duration will be organized at village level for all the farmers in a batch of 25 farmers. A sum of Rs. 500/- is provided per farmer for such trainings Rs. 100 per farmer per training (Rs. 5.00 lakh per year for 1000 ha block level cluster).

e.  One day State level conference/workshop for officers of State Govt. KVKs, SAUs with farmers, SLRPs, LRPS and CRPs: A sum of Rs. 1.5 lakh is provided per year for state level conference in the cluster area for various State level and District level officers for on-field exposure on natural farming practices and to learn from farmers experiences.

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2.4  PGS Certification through Regional Councils (RCs):

a.  Service Charges to RCs : for Physical Verification, certification endorsement and Certificate issuance including grant of TCs for sales facilitation. A sum of Rs. 700/- per ha/year are provided (Total Rs. 7.00 lakh per year for 1000 ha block level cluster).

b.  Residue Analysis through NABL Accredited Laboratories: PGS-RCs and PGS-ZCs shall be undertaking residue analysis for ascertaining levels of pesticide residues in BPKP produce 3 samples per 100 ha for second year and third year. Testing shall be done in NABL accredited laboratories duly approved by the PGS-India Secretariat. A sum of Rs. 3.00 lakh ( Rs. 300 per ha/ year for 2nd and 3rd year) is provided for residue tests per 1000 ha block level cluster per year.

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2.5  Incentive to farmers for one time on-farm manure production infrastructure:

A financial assistance of Rs. 2000/- per ha will be provided to the farmers as DBT as one-time assistance for purchase of liquid manure drums and botanical extract preparation containers.

2.6  Brand building, marketing and value addition –

States can apply for such assistance on case to case basis as per the prevailing norms of PKVY.

Year-wise breakup of components and cost norms are attached as Annexure

VII

Annexure VII

Components and year-wise cost norms of BPKP under existing components and cost norms of PKVY for 3 years.