Joshi: MOVCD-NER Brings 5 Lakh+ Hectares Under Organic Farming
Synopsis
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says the MOVCD-NER scheme has covered over 5 lakh hectares in organic farming and benefited more than 2.12 lakh farmers across Northeast India, marking 12 years of central government development programmes in the region.
Key Takeaways
Over 5 lakh hectares in Northeast India have been brought under organic farming under the MOVCD-NER scheme.
More than 2.12 lakh farmers across the eight North Eastern states have benefited from the mission.
MOVCD-NER was launched in 2015 as a central sector scheme to develop organic value chains and market linkages in the Northeast.
The announcement was made under the #12YearsOfRisingNorthEast hashtag, marking 12 years of central development focus on the region since 2014.
Sikkim was declared India's first fully organic state in 2016 , reflecting the Northeast's organic farming potential.
The scheme targets agro-climatic advantages and historically low chemical-input use in the North Eastern Region .
Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday, June 20, 2026, highlighted that the Mission for Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) has brought over 5 lakh hectares under organic cultivation, benefiting more than 2.12 lakh farmers across Northeast India.
Context
Posting in Kannada, Minister Joshi wrote: 'ಈಶಾನ್ಯ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ಸಾವಯವ ಮೌಲ್ಯ ಸರಪಳಿ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಮಿಷನ್ (MOVCD-NER) ಅಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ' — 'Under the Mission for Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER), over 5 lakh hectares of area has been brought under organic farming. As a result, more than 2.12 lakh farmers have benefited, and sustainable agriculture has been strengthened across Northeast India.' The post was tagged with #12YearsOfRisingNorthEast, a hashtag marking 12 years of central government development programmes in the region since 2014.
Policy Backdrop
MOVCD-NER is a central sector scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, launched in 2015, specifically designed to develop certified organic value chains, processing infrastructure, and market linkages across the eight North Eastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. The scheme targets the region's agro-climatic suitability and historically low chemical-input usage as natural advantages for organic transition.
The mission runs alongside broader national programmes such as Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and state-level organic missions. Notably, Sikkim was declared India's first fully organic state in 2016, a milestone that underscored the Northeast's potential as a hub for certified organic produce.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries are smallholder and marginal farmers spread across the North Eastern Region, who gain access to organic certification, better market linkages, and premium pricing for their produce. The scheme's emphasis on value chain development — from farm to market — aims to translate organic certification into tangible income gains for rural communities.
Beyond individual farmers, the mission has implications for agri-export competitiveness, as certified organic produce from the Northeast increasingly finds markets domestically and internationally. State governments across the eight states are key implementation partners, with the central government providing financial and technical support.
What's Next
The government's emphasis on the #12YearsOfRisingNorthEast narrative signals continued political attention to the region's agricultural development as a policy priority. Independent evaluations of area coverage and farmer income outcomes under MOVCD-NER are expected to inform future scheme design and potential budget allocations in upcoming Union Budgets.
As organic farming gains global traction, the Northeast's certified organic ecosystem — if scaled effectively — could position India as a significant supplier in premium international markets, adding a strategic dimension to what is currently framed as a welfare-focused scheme.
Point of View
Unusual for a Northeast-focused message, suggests the communication is aimed at a pan-India BJP base rather than regional audiences alone. Whether the scheme's output translates into verified farmer income gains will be the real test as independent evaluations become available.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many farmers have benefited from MOVCD-NER?
According to Minister Pralhad Joshi's post on June 20, 2026, more than 2.12 lakh farmers across Northeast India have benefited from the MOVCD-NER scheme.
How much land is under organic farming in Northeast India under MOVCD-NER?
Minister Joshi stated that over 5 lakh hectares have been brought under organic farming coverage under the MOVCD-NER scheme in the North Eastern Region.
Which states are covered under MOVCD-NER?
MOVCD-NER covers all eight North Eastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
What is the significance of the #12YearsOfRisingNorthEast hashtag?
The hashtag marks 12 years of central government development programmes focused on Northeast India since 2014, used by BJP leaders to highlight infrastructure, livelihood, and agricultural initiatives in the region.
