The RKVY (National Agriculture Development Programme) aims at achieving 4% annual growth in the agriculture sector during the XI Plan period, by ensuring a holistic development of Agriculture and allied sectors.
- 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 programmes 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
Basic features of RKVY
- 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 Agricultural and Allied sectors
- The base line 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 programmes 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 RKVY
- Integrated Development of Food crops, including coarse cereals, minor millets and pulses
- Agriculture Mechanization
- Development of Rainfed Farming Systems
- Soil Health and Productivity
- Integrated Pest Management
- Market Infrastructure
- Horticulture
- Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheriesn
- Concept to Completion Projects that have definite time-lines
- Support to Institutions that promote Agriculture and Horticulture, etc.
- Organic and Bio-fertilizers
- Innovative Schemes