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