What is the National Agriculture Development Scheme- RAFTAAR?

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana — Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors (RKVY — RAFTAAR) The Rejuvenation Scheme is a unique initiative of the Government of India (GOI) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA & FW).

The primary purpose of this strategy is to improve facilities and infrastructure in **agriculture** and related sectors. It is a one-of-a-kind programme that promotes Agripreneurship and Agri-Business in the country by providing financial assistance to aspiring Agristartups and fostering a business growth structure.

In 2007, the RKVY scheme was launched as an umbrella scheme to ensure the overall development of the agricultural and related industries. Since its inception, the scheme has advanced considerably and has been successfully implemented over two plan time frames (11th and 12th). The scheme encourages states to boost government investment in agriculture and related industries.

The Cabinet has approved the progression 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 3 years, from 2017–18 to 2019–20, with a financial allocation of Rs. 15,722 crores, with broad objectives of making farming.

Read Article: **Agriculture Business Plan**

RKVY-RAFTAAR

• Because of concerns about stagnant growth in agriculture and related industries, the National Development Council (NDC) launched a special Additional Central Assistance Scheme (RKVY) on May 29, 2007.
• The NDC determined that agricultural growth plans must be reoriented to serve farmer demands best. It urged federal and state governments to endorse a plan to revitalize agriculture.
• The NDC reaffirmed its objective to achieve 4% annual growth in agriculture during the 11th-year plan.
• The scheme has come a long way since its inception and has been executed over two plan periods (11th and 12th).
• The scheme was implemented with 100% central assistance as an Additional Central Assistance (ACA) to State Plan Scheme until 2013–2014
• It was transformed into a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 100% central assistance in 2014–15.

The Goals of RKVY RAFTAAR

The main goal of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is to promote farming as a primary source of economic activity. Some of the goals are as follows:

• Risk reduction, farmer support, and agri-business entrepreneurship are all promoted through the development of agri-infrastructure.
• They allow all states the autonomy and flexibility to make plans based on their specific needs.
• Increasing farmers’ incomes by empowering productive capacity and encouraging value chain addition related production models.
• Farmers’ risks will be reduced by focusing on increasing income generation via mushroom cultivation, integrated farming, floriculture, and other methods.
• It provides opportunities for youth empowerment, innovation, and agri-business models.

The Importance of the RKVY Scheme

The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana scheme plans and implements programmes to encourage agricultural investment by giving states significant flexibility and autonomy. This programme was a success in terms of increasing the agricultural state domestic market and promoting agri-entrepreneurship.

The RKVY Scheme has the following practical implications:

• IncentivizingIncentivizing all Indian states to increase their allocation to engage in agricultural sectors.
• RKVY assists in the development of post-harvest necessary infrastructure for agricultural growth, as well as in strengthening farmers’ efforts and ensuring market facilities.
• It will aid in promoting private investment in the agricultural sector across the country.

RKVY-RAFTAAR — Components

• Agripreneurship Orientation: A two-month Agripreneurship Orientation programme with a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000 is available through RKVY-RAFTAAR. Mentorship is available for financial, technological, intellectual property (IP), and related issues.
• R-ABI Incubatee Seed Stage Funding: Up to Rs. 25 lakhs (85% grant; 15% incubator contribution).
• Agripreneurs’ Pre-Seed Stage Funding: Agripreneurs can receive up to Rs. 5 lakhs for their idea/pre-seed stage (90% grant, 10% incubated commitment).

RKVY-RAFTAAR — Industries Serviced

The RKVY — RAFTAAR scheme covers the following sectors/areas:

• Crop Production
• Animal Care Horticulture
• Fisheries
• Development of Dairy
• Agricultural Education and Research
• Forestry \Wildlife \Plantation
• Agricultural Promotion
• Food Warehousing and Storage
• Conservation of Land and Water
• Financial Institutions for Agriculture
• Other Forms of Agricultural Collaboration

RKVY-RAFTAAR — Financial Support

• RKVY-RAFTAAR will continue to be carried out as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in the ratio of 60:40 (Government of India and State Share Individually), except in northeastern and mountainous states, where the sharing example is 90:10.
• The grant is 100% as Central Share for UTs.
• Under the RKVY RAFTAAR scheme, all states and union territories (UTs) will be approved for funding.

RKVY-RAFTAAR — Importance

• The following highlights the significance of the RKVY scheme:
• Boosting India’s conditions by increasing allotment to farming and associated areas.
• Creating job possibilities for rural people.
• Assisting in achieving the goal of increasing the farmer’s income in the future.
• Assuring the agricultural sector’s holistic development.

Conclusion

Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, an Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development programme has been launched to promote innovation and entrepreneurship by offering monetary assistance and nurturing the incubation ecosystem. These start-ups are divided into several categories, including agro-processing, artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, farm mechanisation, waste to wealth, dairy, and fisheries.

The broad goals of RKVY-RAFTAAR to make farming a financially viable economic activity include raising farmer effort, risk mitigation, and promoting agri-business entrepreneurship. RKVY-primary RAFTAAR’s focus is on pre-and post-harvest infrastructure, in addition to agri-entrepreneurship and innovation. A lack of capital, especially governmental investment in agriculture, has hampered India’s agricultural and connected sector expansion. Therefore, the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana can revive agriculture in this regard with Additional Central Assistance.

FAQs

1. What exactly is the RKVY RAFTAAR programme?

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana — Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors (RKVY — RAFTAAR) The Rejuvenation Scheme is a unique initiative of the Government of India (GOI) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA & FW). The primary objective of this strategy is to improve infrastructure and facilities in the agricultural and associated sectors.

2. When did the RAFTAAR programme begin?

The Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RAFTAAR) programme, formerly known as the 2007 RKVY programme, was launched in 2007 and will now run for three years through 2019–20 with a budget of Rs 15,722 crore.

3. What is the full form of RKVY?

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.

4. What is the primary goal of RKVY raftaar?

The goals of RKVY RAFTAAR. The main goal of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is to promote farming as a primary source of economic activity.