Source: Kurukshethra Magazine
RKVY scheme was initiated in 2007 as an umbrella scheme for ensuring holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors. The scheme has come a long way since its inception and has been implemented across two plan periods (11th and 12th).
The scheme incentivizes States to increase public investment in Agriculture & allied sectors. The Cabinet has approved ( as on 1st November 2017) for the continuation of the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme (State Plans) – Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana- Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) for three years i.e. 2017-18 to 2019-20
Aim
RKVY-RAFTAAR aims at making farming a remunerative economic activity through strengthening the farmers’ effort, risk mitigation and promoting agri-business entrepreneurship.
Objectives of RKVY-RAFTAAR
The main objectives of the scheme are;
- To strengthen the farmers’ efforts through the creation of required pre and postharvest agri-infrastructure that increases access to quality inputs, storage, market facilities, etc. and enables farmers to make informed choices.
- To provide autonomy, flexibility to States to plan and execute schemes as per local/ farmers‟ needs.
- To promote value chain addition linked production models that will help farmers increase their income as well as encourage production/productivity
- To mitigate the risk of farmers with a focus on additional income generation activities – like integrated farming, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, aromatic plant cultivation, floriculture, etc.
- To attend national priorities through several sub-schemes.
- To empower youth through skill development, innovation, and Agri entrepreneurship based agribusiness models that attract them to agriculture.
Eligibility Criteria and Inter-State Allocation of Funds:
RKVY-RAFTAAR will continue to be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in the ratio of 60: 40 (Government of India and State Share respectively) except in the case of northeastern and hilly states where the sharing pattern is 90:10. For UTs the grant is 100% as Central share
Eligibility Criteria:
Since RKVYRAFTAAR has now been recast as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme whereby States are contributing their share, all States / UTs will be eligible for funding under RKVY RAFTAAR
Inter-State Allocation of the funds under RKVY-RAFTAAR
Inter-State allocation of RKVY-RAFTAAR funds will be based on the following parameters and weights:
| SL. NO. | Criteria/Parameters | Weightage |
| 1 | The percentage share of net un-irrigated area in a State to the net unirrigated area of all States. | 15% |
| 2 | Percentage of small and marginal farmers in the state compared to the total number of small and marginal farmers in the country | 20% |
| 3 | Moving averages of the increase in plan expenditure in agriculture & allied sectors including animal husbandry, fisheries, etc. in the previous 3 year period. | 30% |
| 4 | Average Gross State Value Added (GSVA) in agriculture and allied sectors in the last 3 years. | 20% |
| 5 | Percentage of the youth population in the state compared to total youth in the country | 5% |
| 6 | The inverse of the Yield gap between state average yield and potential yields as indicated in the frontline demonstration data. | 10% |
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare could modify the above criteria/weights depending upon new parameters becoming relevant in the future.
List of projects that can be funded under the RKVY-RAFTAAR
- Horticulture
- Natural Resources Management
- Pest Management & Pesticide quality control
- Soil Nutrient Management
- Fertilizers
- Bio Fertilizers/Organic Farming
- Integrated Manure Management
- Animal Husbandry
- Dairy
- Fisheries
- Marketing and Post-Harvest
- Seeds
- Agriculture Mechanization
- Agricultural Extension
- Credit & Cooperation
- Agriculture Research
- Minor / Micro Irrigation
- Fodder & Feed
