Central Govt Approves PM-RKVY and KY Schemes for Agriculture sector

The Government of India has rationalised the various central sector schemes of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare into two main schemes: Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana (KY). 

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the plan in a meeting held in New Delhi on 3 October 2024. 

The PM-RKVY scheme focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture, while the KY will focus on food security and achieving agricultural self-sufficiency. 

Only those central sector schemes related to agriculture and implemented by the state government have been merged. The newly approved scheme will also be implemented by the State governments.

Outlay for the PM-RKVY and KY 

• The total outlay for the centrally sponsored scheme Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana (KY) is Rs.1,01,321.61crore.
• The central government's share will be Rs 69,088.98 crore, and the state's share will be Rs 32,232.63 crore.
• The allocation for the PM-RKVY is Rs 57,074.72 crore, and the allocation for the KY scheme is Rs 44,246.89 crore. 

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY)

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was launched by the central government in 2007-08. The scheme provides incentives to the state government to draw up comprehensive agriculture development plans to ensure more inclusive and integrated development of agriculture and allied sectors. 

In the 2017 -18 fiscal year, the RKVY was converted into Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana - Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) with a major focus on pre and post-harvest infrastructure, besides promoting agri - entrepreneurship, innovations and value addition.

Now, it has been replaced by Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY). 

The PM-RKVY scheme comprises the following central government schemes ;

• Soil Health Management,
• Rainfed Area Development,
• Agroforestry,
• Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana,
• Agricultural Mechanization, including Crop Residue Management,
• Per Drop More Crop,
• Crop Diversification Programme
• RKVY DPR component
• Accelerator Fund for Agri Startups

Krishonnati Yojana

• Krishonnati Yojana was launched in 2005, during the 10th five-year plan. It is an umbrella scheme of 12 schemes/missions of the central government and centrally sponsored schemes related to the agriculture sector. 
• These schemes aim to develop the agriculture and allied sectors holistically and scientifically. 
• It aims to increase farmers' income by enhancing production, productivity and better returns on produce.

Reason for Rationalisation of the Scheme 

According to the Government of India, the various central sector agriculture-related schemes have merged into two with the following objectives;

• Ensure convergence, avoid duplication and provide flexibility to States.
• Focus on Nutrition security, Sustainability, Climate resilience, value chain development & private sector participation.
• Give flexibility to the state government to draw a comprehensive strategic plan according to their requirements.
• The State government’s Annual Action Plan (AAP) of States can be approved in one go rather than approving individual scheme-wise AAPs.