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Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra
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Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers WelfareactiveagricultureLaunched: 2007-08-01

About the Scheme

A state-plan scheme launched to incentivize states to increase public investment in agriculture and allied sectors, thereby achieving a 4% annual growth rate in the sector. It provides flexibility to states to choose their own development strategies based on local needs.

Target Beneficiaries: 12 crore farmers and agricultural workers across all states through enhanced agricultural infrastructure, productivity improvement, agribusiness development, post-harvest facilities, and income generation activities with ₹1.01 lakh crore investment

Implementing Agency: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (Central Level); State Agriculture Departments (State Level).

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • State-centric approach: States formulate their own agricultural development plans.
  • Incentive-based: Provides additional central assistance to states that maintain or increase their share of expenditure in agriculture.
  • Broad scope: Covers various allied sectors like horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, dairy.
  • Focus on infrastructure: Supports creation of agricultural infrastructure, research, and extension services.
  • Sub-schemes/components: Includes initiatives like RKVY-RAFTA (Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation), which focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation.
  • Flexibility: States can choose projects based on their specific needs and priorities.

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • State Governments are eligible for financial assistance under the scheme.
  • States must maintain or increase their expenditure on agriculture and allied sectors over the previous year's level.
  • State Agriculture Plans (SAPs) and District Agriculture Plans (DAPs) are required for project approval.
  • Projects must align with the overall objectives of RKVY.

★Benefits

  • Increased public investment in agriculture and allied sectors at the state level.
  • Enhanced agricultural growth and productivity.
  • Diversification of agricultural activities and income sources for farmers.
  • Strengthening of agricultural infrastructure and research.
  • Empowerment of states in agricultural planning and implementation.

▶Application Process

  • States prepare District Agriculture Plans (DAPs) and State Agriculture Plans (SAPs) based on local needs.
  • Proposals are submitted to the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) for approval.
  • Approved projects are forwarded to the Central Government for release of funds.
  • Implementation and monitoring are done by the respective state departments.
  • Funds are released in installments based on progress and utilization certificates.

₹ Budget Allocation

7150

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 (Centre:State); 90:10 (NE/Hilly); 100% (UTs)

Exam Relevance

GS Paper: GS3

Prelims Relevance8%
Mains Relevance9%

Syllabus Tags

Agricultural policies and reformsFood security and nutritionFarmer income and welfareSustainable agriculture practicesAgricultural infrastructure developmentCrop diversificationCentre-State financial relationsRural development

Historical Context

Launched in 2007; rebranded as RKVY-RAFTAAR in 2017 to focus on value chains.

Exclusion Criteria

  • States failing to maintain or increase their baseline expenditure on agriculture
  • Projects with no clear linkage to agriculture or allied sectors

Sub-Schemes

Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)

To encourage farmers to shift from water-guzzling crops to pulses/oilseeds.

Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development

To foster innovation and support agri-startups.

Challenges

  • Delays in submission of utilization certificates by states
  • Poor quality of District Agriculture Plans (DAPs)
  • Overlapping of projects with other central schemes
  • Limited participation of private sector in RKVY-funded infrastructure

Reforms & Recommendations

  • Mandatory social auditing of RKVY assets
  • Increased allocation for climate-smart agriculture projects
  • Simplifying the approval process for multi-state projects

Performance Statistics

Metric

Over 20,000

Source: Ministry of Agriculture

Metric

1138

Source: PIB

Critical Analysis

RKVY was designed to restore federal balance in agricultural planning, giving states the flexibility to choose projects based on local agro-climatic conditions. The transition to RAFTAAR (Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation) shifted focus from mere 'production' to 'post-harvest infrastructure' and 'agri-entrepreneurship'. While it has successfully decentralized agricultural planning, many states struggle with 'fund absorption' and the preparation of high-quality District Agriculture Plans (DAPs). The scheme remains the primary vehicle for states to experiment with crop diversification.

SDG Linkages

SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)SDG 1 (No Poverty)

Constitutional Backing

Entry 14 (Agriculture) and Entry 15 (Animal Husbandry) of List IIArticle 282 (Discretionary grants)

Technology Used

Bhuvan-RKVY (Geo-tagging)Direct Benefit TransferManagement Information System (MIS)

Success Stories

Horticulture Revolution via RKVY

Key Takeaways

  • Objective: 4% annual growth in agriculture
  • Flexi-funds: States design projects tailored to their needs
  • Sub-schemes: Includes Crop Diversification, Soil Health, etc.
  • Agri-Entrepreneurship: Support for startups and incubators

Probable Questions

Examine how RKVY-RAFTAAR addresses the structural issues of Indian agriculture through decentralized planning and entrepreneurship.

MediumHigh

Mains Answer Fodder

RKVY is the quintessential 'flexi-fund' scheme. Use it to discuss 'Cooperative Federalism' in agriculture. It is also a key example for answers on 'Agri-startups' (under the Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship cell) and 'Value addition' in the supply chain.

Convergence Schemes

  • PMKSY (Irrigation)
  • MIDH (Horticulture)
  • National Livestock Mission
  • e-NAM

Sector Tags

AgricultureInfrastructureGovernance