A landmark in sustainable agriculture
Rajasthan’s Organic Village Milestone: Rajasthan has marked a significant step in sustainable agriculture with Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat becoming the state’s first fully organic village body. The declaration covers seven hamlets, where all farming activities now follow organic principles.
This achievement signals a shift towards chemical-free farming in a region known for harsh climatic conditions. It strengthens India’s broader agenda of environmentally responsible agriculture.
Why this development matters
The recognition means that farmers in Bamanwas Kankar have completely eliminated synthetic fertilisers, chemical pesticides, and genetically modified inputs. Agricultural production is now based entirely on natural methods.
Such a collective transition reflects strong local governance and community participation. It also demonstrates that sustainability is achievable even in water-stressed regions like Rajasthan.
What makes Bamanwas Kankar unique
Farmers in the panchayat rely on farmyard manure, compost, green manuring, crop rotation, and biological pest control. These practices improve soil fertility while maintaining ecological balance.
The shift required training, monitoring, and cooperation across all seven hamlets. Uniform adoption across an entire panchayat makes this initiative especially notable.
Static GK fact: Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area, with much of its agriculture dependent on rain-fed conditions, making sustainable practices crucial.
Understanding organic farming
Organic farming is an agricultural system that depends on natural inputs and ecological processes. It avoids synthetic chemicals and focuses on maintaining soil health and biodiversity.
By increasing soil organic carbon, organic farming supports long-term productivity. It also contributes to climate change mitigation by reducing emissions linked to chemical fertiliser use.
Static GK Tip: Healthy soils act as carbon sinks, helping in climate regulation while improving crop resilience.
Benefits for farmers and environment
Organic farming reduces soil, water, and air pollution, ensuring safer ecosystems. Lower chemical residues in food reduce health risks for consumers and farm workers.
Improved soil structure enhances water-holding capacity and reduces erosion. Farmers benefit from lower input costs and greater resilience against climate stress.
Government support for organic farming
The Government of India promotes organic agriculture through schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, which supports cluster-based organic farming. The Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region focuses on market-linked organic production.
The National Centre of Organic Farming functions under the Ministry of Agriculture to support certification, training, and awareness. These initiatives create an enabling ecosystem for villages like Bamanwas Kankar.
Organic farming in India’s broader context
India is among the global leaders in terms of number of organic farmers. Organic practices are integrated under the Integrated Nutrient Management framework.
Certification systems such as PGS-India and NPOP ensure credibility of organic produce. States like Sikkim, which is fully organic, offer models that Rajasthan can adapt.
Static GK fact: Sikkim became the world’s first fully organic state in 2016.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Rajasthan’s Organic Village Milestone:
| Topic | Detail |
| State | Rajasthan |
| Panchayat | Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat |
| Status Achieved | First fully organic village panchayat in Rajasthan |
| Coverage | 7 hamlets under one panchayat |
| Farming Practice | 100% organic farming (chemical-free) |
| Prohibited Inputs | Synthetic fertilisers, chemical pesticides, GM inputs |
| Key Organic Methods | Farmyard manure, compost, green manuring, crop rotation, biological pest control |
| Soil Management Goal | Improved soil fertility and soil organic carbon |
| Water Context | Predominantly rain-fed, water-stressed region |
