“Uttar Pradesh is intensifying its organic farming drive with a five-year campaign offering 75% subsidies on bio-fertilizers to 90,000 farmers. Aimed at reducing chemical dependency, boosting soil health, and enhancing crop productivity, the initiative includes training programs and widespread distribution of organic inputs to promote sustainable agriculture across the state.”
Uttar Pradesh Bolsters Organic Farming with Subsidies and Training
In a significant move to promote sustainable agriculture, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched an ambitious five-year campaign (2024-25 to 2028-29) to encourage organic farming and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. The initiative, spearheaded by the state’s agriculture department, focuses on expanding the use of bio-fertilizers to enhance soil health and boost productivity for cereal, pulse, and oilseed crops. Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture) Devesh Chaturvedi announced that the program will provide a 75% subsidy on bio-fertilizers to approximately 90,000 farmers through e-source POS machines, following widespread awareness drives.
The campaign builds on the success of a previous three-year drive (2021-22 to 2023-24), which strengthened 10 bio-fertilizer production units in districts like Lucknow, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Banda, Azamgarh, Meerut, Varanasi, Etawah, Gonda, and Aligarh. During this period, over 22.7 lakh bio-fertilizer packets were distributed to nearly 30,000 farmers, with a 75% subsidy, yielding encouraging results as per third-party evaluations. The current initiative aims to scale up these efforts by ensuring bio-fertilizers reach storage centers in all 825 administrative blocks of the state.
To support farmers, the government will organize daylong training sessions during the Rabi and Kharif seasons at 838 state agricultural seed depots across 825 development blocks. These sessions aim to educate over 50,000 farmers on the benefits and application of bio-fertilizers, which are significantly cheaper than chemical alternatives and improve soil structure. Crops targeted include wheat, barley, rice, gram, pea, lentil, urad, green gram, pigeon pea, and mustard, aligning with the state’s goal to enhance agricultural sustainability.
The initiative is part of a broader push to address environmental concerns linked to chemical fertilizer overuse, such as soil degradation and water pollution. By promoting organic inputs like cow dung compost, vermicompost, and green manure, the state aims to improve soil fertility and reduce farming costs. Farmers must be registered with the state agriculture department, possess valid land ownership or lease documents, and have Aadhaar-linked bank accounts for direct benefit transfers (DBT) to avail of the subsidies. Cooperative societies, self-help groups (SHGs), and farmer-producer organizations (FPOs) are also eligible to apply as collective beneficiaries.
The campaign aligns with national efforts like the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), which promotes organic farming through cluster-based approaches and provides financial aid for certification and inputs. Uttar Pradesh’s focus on organic farming is expected to enhance market access for organic produce, potentially fetching premium prices while contributing to environmental sustainability. The state’s proactive approach positions it as a leader in India’s organic farming movement, following in the footsteps of states like Sikkim, which has fully transitioned to organic agriculture.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information sourced from recent news reports, government announcements, and agricultural policy updates available on trusted platforms like the Times of India and government websites. Data is accurate as of September 2, 2025, and subject to change based on official updates.