Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

Agriculture continues to be the backbone of India’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, employment, and food security. Recognizing the need for accelerated agricultural growth, the Government of India launched the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in 2007–08. This scheme is a centrally sponsored program aimed at enhancing investment in agriculture and allied sectors, promoting state-specific agricultural development plans, and ensuring holistic growth and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

RKVY represents a paradigm shift from traditional centrally planned schemes by empowering state governments to prepare their own agricultural development strategies while focusing on local needs, crop patterns, and innovative solutions.

Background and History

• Historically, agricultural growth in India has faced challenges such as fragmented landholdings, low investment in infrastructure, inadequate technology adoption, and climate variability.
  
  
• The Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007–12) emphasized accelerating agricultural growth at least 4% per annum.
  
  
• To achieve this, the Government of India introduced the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
  
  
• The scheme was designed to provide flexibility to states in planning, funding, and implementing agriculture development projects based on local priorities and agro-climatic conditions.
  
  
• Over the years, RKVY has been extended and modified to cover agriculture and allied sectors, infrastructure development, technology adoption, value addition, and research initiatives.

Objectives of RKVY

The RKVY is designed with multiple objectives to ensure holistic agricultural growth:

1. Enhanced Investment in Agriculture
   • Increase public investment in agriculture and allied sectors.
   • Encourage private sector participation in modern agriculture.
     
     
2. State-Specific Planning and Flexibility
   • Enable states to prepare district and state agricultural plans based on local crop patterns, soil conditions, and regional priorities.
     
     
3. Boost Production and Productivity
   • Promote high-yield varieties, modern farming techniques, and efficient water management.
     
     
4. Diversification of Agriculture
   • Encourage horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and other allied sectors.
   • Reduce overdependence on traditional cereal crops.
     
     
5. Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
   • Ensure employment generation, rural livelihoods, and gender inclusivity.
   • Promote climate-resilient and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
     
     
6. Infrastructure and Technology Promotion
   • Support irrigation, post-harvest infrastructure, cold storage, and processing units.
   • Encourage modern technology adoption for precision farming, integrated pest management, and soil health management.
     
     
7. Research, Training, and Capacity Building
   • Promote agricultural research, extension services, and skill development for farmers.

Key Features of RKVY

1. Centrally Sponsored Scheme with Flexible Planning
   • Provides funding support from the central government while allowing states to design customized agricultural development plans.
   • Encourages state innovation and tailored solutions.
     
     
2. No Funding Ceiling
   • Unlike traditional schemes, RKVY does not have a fixed funding limit, ensuring states can implement priority projects effectively.
     
     
3. Integrated Approach
   • Focuses on crops, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, agro-processing, and farm mechanization.
     
     
   • Ensures holistic agricultural development rather than isolated interventions.
     
     
4. Performance-Based Allocation
   • Central funds are released based on state performance, project implementation, and achievement of targets.
     
     
5. Convergence with Other Schemes
   • RKVY projects often converge with schemes like National Horticulture Mission (NHM), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Bamboo Mission, and agricultural credit programs.
     
     
6. Monitoring and Evaluation
   • Implementation is monitored through state-level committees, Ministry of Agriculture MIS platforms, and independent third-party evaluations.

Components of RKVY

The RKVY covers a wide range of components, addressing the full agricultural and allied value chain:

1. Crop Production and Diversification

• Promotion of high-yielding varieties of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and cash crops.
• Incentives for crop diversification towards horticulture, floriculture, and medicinal plants.
• Adoption of precision agriculture and resource-efficient techniques.

2. Horticulture Development

• Support for fruits, vegetables, spices, and flowers.
• Establishment of nurseries, polyhouses, and protected cultivation units.
• Cold storage and post-harvest infrastructure development.

3. Animal Husbandry and Fisheries

• Dairy development programs and improved livestock breeds.
• Poultry, goatry, and sheep development projects.
• Promotion of fish farming, aquaculture, and integrated fish-livestock systems.

4. Agricultural Infrastructure

• Irrigation projects including minor irrigation, drip, and sprinkler systems.
• Rural roads and market access infrastructure.
• Post-harvest infrastructure: warehouses, cold storage, pack houses, and processing units.

5. Technology and Research

• Adoption of modern machinery, farm implements, and precision farming equipment.
• Support for agricultural research, seed development, and soil health management.
• Use of ICT and digital tools for advisory services and market information.

6. Capacity Building and Skill Development

• Training programs for farmers, cooperatives, and agri-entrepreneurs.
• Exposure visits to demonstration farms, modern nurseries, and processing units.
• Development of state-level agricultural extension networks.

Implementation Mechanism

1. Central-State Partnership
   • Fund sharing between Centre and States varies by region:
     • General States: 60% central share, 40% state share.
     • North Eastern and Himalayan States: 90% central share, 10% state share.
       
       
2. State Level Planning
   • States prepare State Agricultural Plans (SAPs) in consultation with district and local authorities.
   • Plans prioritize crop selection, technology adoption, infrastructure development, and allied sector support.
     
     
3. District Level Coordination
   • District Agriculture Officers and extension staff implement projects and coordinate farmer participation.
     
     
4. Funding and Project Approval
   • Projects are proposed by states and approved by State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC).
   • Central Ministry releases funds based on performance, plan adherence, and reporting compliance.
     
     
5. Monitoring and Evaluation
   • Online MIS portals, field inspections, and third-party audits ensure accountability.
   • Regular review meetings by Ministry of Agriculture and State Departments track progress and outcomes.

Achievements and Impact

1. Increased Agricultural Investment
   • RKVY has led to enhanced public and private investment in agriculture, improving infrastructure, technology, and farm practices.
     
     
2. Higher Production and Productivity
   • Significant increases in crop yields, horticulture production, and livestock output.
   • Adoption of high-yield varieties and modern irrigation techniques has boosted productivity.
     
     
3. Diversification and Value Addition
   • Encouraged farmers to diversify into horticulture, floriculture, medicinal plants, and allied sectors.
     
     
   • Development of processing units and cold storage facilities improved marketability.
     
     
4. Employment and Livelihood Generation
   • Creation of rural employment in crop production, livestock management, fisheries, and agro-processing.
     
     
   • Empowerment of women and youth through skill development programs.
     
     
5. Technology Adoption
   • Increased use of farm machinery, drip irrigation, precision farming, and soil health management tools.
     
     
6. Market Development
   • Improved market access through wholesale markets, rural markets, and e-NAM integration.
   • Promotion of exportable crops and branded products from states.
     
     
7. Climate Resilience and Sustainability
   • Adoption of water-efficient, soil-conserving, and integrated pest management practices.
   • Promoted organic and sustainable farming practices in selected regions.

Challenges in RKVY Implementation

1. Fragmented Land Holdings
   • Small and scattered farms limit mechanization and large-scale interventions.
     
     
2. Infrastructure Gaps
   • Shortage of cold storage, processing units, and rural roads in remote areas.
     
     
3. Financial Constraints
   • High cost of modern technology, irrigation, and post-harvest infrastructure for marginal farmers.
     
     
4. Awareness and Training
   • Limited knowledge about modern cultivation techniques, crop diversification, and market linkages.
     
     
5. Monitoring and Accountability
   • Ensuring proper utilization of funds and timely project completion remains a challenge.
     
     
6. Market and Price Risks
   • Price fluctuations and delayed market access affect farmer profitability.

Future Prospects of RKVY

1. Digital Agriculture and Precision Farming
   • Use of IoT, drones, GIS mapping, and mobile advisory services for better monitoring and yield prediction.
     
     
2. Expansion of Post-Harvest Infrastructure
   • Development of cold chains, storage, and processing units to reduce losses and improve quality.
     
     
3. Integration with Allied Sectors
   • Linkage with National Horticulture Mission, RKVY-Food Processing, National Bamboo Mission, and animal husbandry schemes.
     
     
4. Skill Development and Capacity Building
   • Training farmers, cooperatives, and rural entrepreneurs in modern farming and agribusiness management.
     
     
5. Climate-Smart Agriculture
   • Promotion of drought-tolerant varieties, integrated pest management, and organic practices.
     
     
6. Market Development and Export Promotion
   • Strengthening rural-urban supply chains, value addition, and export promotion.
     
     
7. Research and Innovation
   • Development of high-yielding, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient crop varieties.

Conclusion

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) has emerged as a flagship program for holistic agricultural development in India. By providing flexibility to states, promoting diversification, and integrating technology with infrastructure development, RKVY addresses the entire agricultural value chain.

Despite challenges such as fragmented landholdings, infrastructure gaps, and market fluctuations, RKVY has significantly enhanced production, productivity, rural livelihoods, and employment opportunities. Its continued focus on technology adoption, skill development, climate resilience, and market linkages ensures that RKVY will remain a key driver of sustainable agricultural growth, food security, and rural development in India.