G.O. (Ms.) No. 21, Replacing “Organic Village Clusters” as “Natural Farming Clusters”, 2022
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.3) Department issued G.O. (Ms.) No. 21, dated 3 March 2022, changing the term “Organic Village Clusters” in a Tamil Nadu rural development budget announcement to “Natural Farming Village Clusters”. The change applies to farming activities promoted through the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission for rural Self Help Group women.
Purpose
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.3) Department issued G.O. (Ms.) No. 21, dated 3 March 2022, to approve a change in the name used for a farming initiative under the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission. The term “Organic Village Clusters” in Announcement No. 19, made by the Minister for Rural Development on 24 August 2021, is replaced with “Natural Farming Village Clusters”.
The Annual Action Plan 2021-22 of the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission had set a target of 50 organic farming clusters. The government approved the terminology change after considering a request from the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Limited.
Why the terminology was changed
The Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission supports rural Self Help Group women engaged in crop production and livestock rearing. The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.3) Department records that formal organic conversion involves several steps, mandatory compliance under the National Programme of Organic Production and support from an external agency.
The government considered these requirements difficult for women whose farming is directly connected with daily livelihood needs. Natural farming was regarded as a more appropriate and practical way to increase farm income while restoring traditional cultivation methods and using non-polluting inputs of biological origin.
Who is affected
G.O. (Ms.) No. 21 directly concerns:
- Rural Self Help Group women supported by the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission.
- Women farmers involved in crop production and livestock rearing.
- The Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Limited.
- District Collectors and rural development authorities responsible for implementation.
The government order does not state that it changes land ownership, patta records, land classification, development rights or conditions for buying or selling property.
Key provisions
G.O. (Ms.) No. 21 provides that:
- “Organic Village Clusters” in Announcement No. 19 will be called “Natural Farming Village Clusters”.
- The initiative will follow natural farming practices rather than require strict organic farming procedures.
- Natural farming is intended to regain traditional cultivation methods.
- The approach includes non-polluting inputs of biological origin and non-use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
- The approved terminology applies to the cluster initiative under the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission.
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Common questions
Does G.O. (Ms.) No. 21 change my patta or land ownership?
The government order does not state any change to patta records or land ownership. It changes the name and farming approach of clusters promoted through the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission.
Who can be covered by the Natural Farming Village Clusters?
The initiative concerns rural Self Help Group women involved in crop production and livestock rearing through the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission.
Why was the term “Organic Village Clusters” replaced?
The government found that formal organic conversion involved complex steps, mandatory compliance and external agency support. Natural farming was considered more practical for women farmers whose activities support their daily livelihoods.
How many farming clusters were included in the plan?
The Annual Action Plan 2021-22 of the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission set a target of 50 farming clusters.
