The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has facilitated the export of 3,03,249.40 tonnes of organic products during 2025-26, said Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivaraj Singh Chouhan in Lok Sabha.Replying to a question by Congress MP from Puducherry V. Vaithilingam on the efforts taken by the Central government to provide entrepreneurship opportunities for youth in organic farming, the Minister said organic farming has emerged as a promising sector for youth and farmers in production, value addition, processing, packaging, branding and marketing activities.In the year 2025-26, organic products were exported to major destinations, including United States, European Union, Canada, Britain, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Switzerland, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Japan and China. Around 39.68 lakh hectares of land has been certified by the National Programme for Organic Production, a third-party certification initiative under APEDA for export and large-scale domestic production, the Minister said in his statement.The Minister said the Central government was implementing two schemes to promote organic farming namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), implemented in all States and Union Territories and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER). Under PKVY, an assistance of ₹31,500 per ha is provided for 3 years for promotion of organic farming. To support agriculture-based industry, the Centre has created Agriculture Infrastructure Fund for facilitating medium and long-term financing through eligible lending institutions for the creation of post-harvest infrastructure. The scheme provides loans at an interest rate capped at 9% for up to 7 years, with 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee coverage for up to ₹2 crore. Till now, loan amounting to ₹1,183 crore has been sanctioned for around 681 projects, the statement said. Published - August 05, 2026 07:19 pm IST