Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Significance, Eligibility

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY Scheme) holds great importance for the UPSC IAS exam, covering a substantial portion of the General Studies Paper-2 syllabus concerning Government Schemes and current events of national significance in UPSC prelims. In this article, we’ll delve into the background, objectives, key features, significant components, funding patterns, major sectors addressed, significance, sub-schemes, and the latest developments concerning the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Scheme or the RKVY-Raftaar scheme.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is a centrally sponsored scheme initiated by the Government of India in 2007. Its primary objective is to offer financial assistance to states and union territories for the advancement of agriculture and allied sectors.

Here are the key points regarding the background of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme:

• Launched by the Government of India in 2007.
• Initiated in response to the resolution of the National Development Council (NDC) in 2005, which advocated for a comprehensive and integrated approach to agricultural development.
• Aimed to address challenges encountered by the agricultural sector, including low productivity, diminishing farm incomes, and rising input costs.
• Implemented through a three-tier structure involving:
  -The Ministry of Agriculture at the central level,
  -State governments at the state level, and
  -District-level planning committees at the district level.

Significance of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Here you will read about the significance of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Check the following importance:

• RKVY-RAFTAAR extends financial assistance to farmers for the adoption of advanced technologies and enhanced practices, thereby fostering an increase in agricultural productivity.
• Elevating agricultural productivity through RKVY-RAFTAAR translates to augmented incomes for farmers.
• The scheme facilitates the establishment of fresh agribusiness ventures and the expansion of existing ones, potentially generating employment opportunities within the agricultural domain.
• RKVY-RAFTAAR advocates for the adoption of sustainable agricultural methods, encompassing organic farming and integrated pest management.
• Through its attempts to bolster agricultural productivity and advocate for sustainable practices, RKVY-RAFTAAR contributes to enhancing food security across the nation.

Important Components of RKVY Scheme

The key components of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) Scheme include:

• Crop Production: Offers financial assistance to farmers for adopting new technologies and improved practices, such as high-yielding seed varieties, precision farming, and integrated pest management.
• Animal Husbandry: Provides financial support to farmers to enhance livestock productivity, including assistance for developing fodder, acquiring improved animal breeds, and establishing veterinary clinics.
• Horticulture: Extends financial aid to farmers for the development and promotion of horticulture crops, including assistance for establishing nurseries, improving irrigation facilities, and marketing horticultural produce.
• Fisheries: Offers financial assistance to fishermen to boost productivity and income, including support for aquaculture development, procurement of fishing boats and equipment, and marketing fish products.
• Agro-processing: Provides financial aid to farmers and entrepreneurs for establishing and expanding agro-processing units, aiming to add value to agricultural produce and generate employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Objectives of RKVY RAFTAAR Scheme

The RKVY-RAFTAAR scheme aims to transform farming into a profitable economic activity by enhancing farmer efforts, mitigating risks, and promoting agricultural entrepreneurship.

The following are some key objectives of the scheme:

1. Strengthening farmer efforts by establishing necessary pre and post-harvest agricultural infrastructure, facilitating access to quality inputs, storage, market facilities, etc., thus empowering farmers to make informed decisions.
2. Providing autonomy and flexibility to states in planning and executing schemes according to local/farmers’ requirements.
3. Promoting value chain addition linked production models to increase farmers’ income and boost production and productivity.
4. Generating additional income by mitigating farmers’ risks through activities such as integrated farming, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, aromatic plant cultivation, floriculture, etc.
5. Addressing national priorities through various sub-schemes.
6. Empowering youth through skill development, innovation, and agri-entrepreneurship-based models, encouraging their involvement in agriculture.

Features of RKVY Scheme

Below are the notable characteristics of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme:

• RKVY operates as a State Plan initiative, entrusting states with the responsibility for devising and executing the scheme.
• It offers flexibility, permitting states to customize the program according to their specific requirements.
• RKVY encompasses a diverse arrangement of activities, spanning crop production, animal husbandry, horticulture, fisheries, and agro-processing, thereby ensuring comprehensive development of the agricultural sector.
• The scheme promotes convergence with other government initiatives, such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), to amplify its impact.
• Funding for RKVY is sourced from the central government, complemented by matching contributions from the states.

Eligibility for Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Below are the eligibility criteria for the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme:

• The scheme is accessible to all farmers, regardless of the size of their landholding.
• It is available to all rural community members engaged in agriculture-related activities.
• Implementation occurs through state governments, with eligibility criteria potentially differing across states.
• Nevertheless, some general eligibility criteria for the RKVY scheme encompass:
  -Residency in India.
  -Possession of a valid land record.
  -Engagement in agricultural activities.

Pattern of Funding under the RKVY Scheme

The funding ratio between the central government and state governments for the scheme stands at 60:40, while for northeastern and Himalayan states, the ratio is 90:10. In the case of Union territories, the central government covers the entire amount.

The distribution of funds from the Central Government to each eligible state under the program is based on the following parameters and weights:

Sectors covered under the RKVY-Raftaar scheme

The RKVY Raftaar scheme encompasses various vital sectors across the country, such as:

• Crop Cultivation and Horticulture
• Animal Husbandry and Fisheries
• Dairy Development, Agricultural Research, and Education
• Forestry and Wildlife
• Agricultural Marketing and Plantation
• Food Storage and Warehousing
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Agricultural Finance Institutions, along with other Agricultural Programs and Cooperation

Sub-Schemes under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Below is a breakdown of some of the notable sub-schemes under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, elucidating their implementation for better comprehension:

Sharing is caring!