In News: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing a Crop Diversification Programme (CDP) for replacing paddy crops with less water consuming alternative crops to save water and protect soil in the state of Punjab.
About CDP
- Crop Diversification Programme (CDP), a sub scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY).
- CDP is being implemented in the Original Green Revolution States of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh from 2013-14
- Aim To diversify area from water guzzling crop like paddy to alternate crops like maize, pulses, oilseeds, cotton & agro-forestry plantation.
- It has continued in 2014-15.
- Under CDP, assistance is provided to the States for conducting cluster demonstrations on alternate crops, promotion of water saving technologies, distribution of farm machinery, setting up of value addition facilities, awareness through training etc.
- However, for replacing tobacco crops, tobacco growing states have been given flexibility to take suitable activities/interventions for growing alternative agricultural/horticultural crops.
- The Government of India also provides flexibility to the states for state specific needs/priorities under RKVY.
- The state can promote crop diversification under RKVY with the approval of the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary of the State.
About Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
- The National Development Council (NDC), in its meeting held on 29th May, 2007 resolved that a special Additional Central Assistance Scheme (RKVY) be launched.
- It is to be known as National Agriculture Development Programme (RKVY).
Objectives of the programme
- 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
Source: PIB
