Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

The shortfall of investment, especially public investment in the agricultural sector, has slowed India's growth in the agricultural and allied sectors. To resolve this issue, the National Development Council (NDC) has come up with a strategy to rejuvenate agriculture with an Additional Central Assistance Scheme, i.e. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

What Is Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Scheme?

Initiated in 2007, the Rashtriya Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is an umbrella scheme that ensures overall agricultural and allied services development. This scheme encourages States to increase public investment in agricultural and allied services. With 100% central assistance, the RKVY scheme was implemented as Additional Central Assistance to State Plan scheme.

From 1st November 2017, the Rashtriya Vikas Yojana was rebranded as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation.

Objectives of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

• To incentivize the states that increase their investment in agriculture and allied sectors
• To provide flexibility and autonomy to the States in planning and executing programs for agriculture
• To ensure the preparation of Agriculture Plans for the districts and states
• To achieve the goal of reducing the yield gaps in important crops
• To maximize returns to the farmers
• To address the agriculture and allied sectors in an integrated manner

Features of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

• It is a State Plan scheme
• The eligibility of a state for the RKVY is contingent upon the state maintaining or increasing the State Plan expenditure for the Agricultural and Allied sectors
• The baseline expenditure is determined based on the average expenditure incurred by the State Government during the three years prior to the previous year.
• The preparation of the district and State Agriculture Plans is mandatory
• The scheme encourages convergence with other programs such as NREGS.
• The pattern of funding is 100% Central Government Grant.
• If the state lowers its investment in the subsequent years and goes out of the RKVY basket, then the balance resources for completing the projects already commenced would have to be committed by the states.
• It is an incentive scheme, hence allocations are not automatic
• It will integrate agriculture and allied sectors comprehensively
• It will give high levels of flexibility to the states
• Projects with definite time-lines are highly encouraged

Areas of focus under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

• Integrated Development of Food crops, including coarse cereals, minor millets, and pulses
• Agriculture Mechanization
• Soil Health and Productivity
• Development of Rainfed Farming Systems
• Integrated Pest Management
• Promoting extension services
• Horticulture
• Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries
• Sericulture
• Study tours of farmers
• Organic and Bio-fertilizers
• Innovative Schemes

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