Prayagraj Witnesses Major Shift to Organic Agriculture with Over 11,000 Farmers
In a significant agricultural transformation, Prayagraj has seen 11,136 farmers adopt organic farming practices, moving away from chemical-intensive methods. This shift is concentrated within a five-kilometre radius of the Ganga River, where the practice is being implemented across 411 clusters covering approximately 8,220 acres of farmland.
Government Initiative Promotes Natural Farming Model
Officials state this movement is part of a comprehensive effort to transition farmers toward fully chemical-free, cattle-based natural farming. As part of this initiative, 12 dedicated clusters for natural farming have been established in the district, each comprising around 125 farmers. In the initial phase, 1,500 farmers cultivating about 600 hectares are receiving specialized training to practice farming using exclusively natural inputs.
To facilitate this transition, the government is offering financial assistance for three years. Farmers are provided with Rs 4,800 per acre in the first year and Rs 3,600 per acre annually for the subsequent two years. Additionally, funds are being allocated specifically for organic seed management to support sustainable agricultural practices.
Driving Factors: Rising Costs and Declining Soil Health
The shift toward organic farming comes amid growing concerns over the escalating cost of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which many farmers find financially unsustainable. Officials highlight that excessive chemical use has led to a marked decline in soil fertility across the region.
Piyush Rai, Assistant Director at the Regional Soil Testing Laboratory in Prayagraj, reported that soil samples collected during the rabi and kharif seasons revealed a sharp decrease in organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels. "Organic carbon content has fallen well below the prescribed minimum range of 0.5% to 0.75% in several areas," he stated, underscoring the severity of soil degradation.
Impact on Crop Productivity and Farmer Response
The deterioration in soil health has directly impacted crop yields. Pawan Kumar Vishwakarma, Deputy Director of Agriculture, noted that wheat productivity dropped from 28.15 quintals per hectare in 2020-21 to 24.04 quintals in 2023-24. Similar declines were recorded in other major crops including maize, barley, bajra, and paddy.
In response, over 1,500 farmers in the district have abandoned chemical farming in the past year alone, opting instead for natural farming techniques. The government is actively promoting a low-cost, high-return agricultural model designed to reduce farmers' reliance on expensive chemical inputs, with organic and natural farming positioned at its core.
This large-scale adoption of organic practices in Prayagraj represents a pivotal step toward sustainable agriculture, addressing both economic pressures on farmers and critical environmental concerns related to soil health and chemical usage.
