Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana:-
The State Level Sanctioning Committee of ‘Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana’ (RKVY) and ‘Krishonnati Yojana’, chaired by Chief Secretary, Sh. T.V.S.N. Prasad, has approved the Annual Action Plan (AAP) for the fiscal year 2024-25. The plan allocates Rs. 1198.27 crore to advance agricultural productivity, support sustainable farming practices, and enhance farmer livelihoods through strategic investments in infrastructure and value addition. The RKVY Cafeteria scheme’s total action plan amounts to Rs.995.50 crore, while the ‘Krishonnati Yojana’ action plan is Rs.203.27 crore.
While presiding over the State Level Sanctioning Committee meeting for the ‘Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana’ (RKVY) Scheme and ‘Krishonnati Yojana’, the Chief Secretary emphasised the urgent need for water conservation and promoting micro-irrigation initiatives.
He highlighted the role of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and the Irrigation Department in jointly taking concrete steps to promote micro-irrigation on a large scale. Sh. Prasad also suggested adopting a micro-irrigation system on 1,000 acres of land at the university to provide a practical demonstration for farmers.The Irrigation and Water Resources Department has set a target to bring 1 lakh acres under micro-irrigation.
Transferring Agricultural Research to the Field
Sh. Prasad stressed the need to transfer agricultural research from laboratories to the field to benefit farmers effectively and promptly. Demonstration plots showcasing technologies should be established in locations accessible to the maximum number of farmers.
Sh. Prasad advocated for encouraging college and university students to start food and soil testing laboratories. Public awareness about testing food products, fruits, and vegetables should also be increased.
Addressing Pink Bollworm Infestation
Sh. Prasad addressed the issue of pink bollworm infestation in cotton-growing areas, attributing it to agricultural waste. He urged CCSHAU to adopt villages and train farmers to combat this pest. Continuous monitoring of preventive measures is essential to eradicate this disease.
Soil Testing App and Project Approvals
It was informed in the meeting that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has developed an app for soil testing, enabling farmers to receive soil test reports directly on their mobile phones.
Approval of RKVY Cafeteria DPR Projects
Under the RKVY Cafeteria scheme, the committee has approved seven projects amounting to Rs. 3,662.30 lakh for the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department. CCS HAU, Hisar, will undertake 15 projects with a total allocation of Rs.1,286.86 lakh. Maharana Pratap Horticulture University (MHU), Karnal, has received approval for one project worth Rs.240.00 lakh. The Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR), Karnal, will carry out two projects totaling Rs.673.50 lakh. The Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Karnal, has been allocated Rs.120.00 lakh for one project. Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, ICAR, Karnal, will implement one project worth Rs. 342.00 lakh. IARI, Karnal, has two projects with a combined budget of Rs. 1,150.00 lakh. Lastly, the Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Sirsa (CICR) Sirsa, has received Rs.70.00 lakh for one project. In total, 30 projects amounting to Rs. 7,544.66 lakh have been sanctioned.
Approval of Annual Action Plan Based Schemes
Besides, the committee also approved projects under the Annual Action Plan based schemes merged under the RKVY Cafeteria scheme for 2024-25. The approved schemes and their respective costs in lakhs are as follows: SMAM with Rs. 6713.00 lakh, CRM with Rs. 26818.21 lakh, Soil Health Card and Fertility with Rs. 1892.10 lakh, Crop Diversification Programme with Rs. 3718.00 lakh, Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) with Rs. 967.96 lakh, and Per Drop More Crops with Rs. 51897.34 lakh.
Krishonnati Yojana Allocations
The committee also approved the Annual Action Plan of Krishonnati Yojana for 2024-25 and allocated funds in lakhs for various key initiatives. The allocations are as follows: National Food Security and Nutrition Mission with Rs. 3962.26 lakh, National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds with Rs. 1283.32 lakh, Seeds (Sub Mission on Seed & Planting Material) with Rs. 500.00 lakh, Agriculture Extension (ATMA Scheme) with Rs. 3123.09 lakh, and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) with Rs. 11458.75 lakh.
Key Initiatives and Infrastructure Development
The approved projects under RKVY and KY include several key initiatives. A significant allocation of Rs. 1500.00 lakh will be used to rehabilitate waterlogged and saline soils across 13 districts, namely Rohtak, Jhajjar, Sonepat, Bhiwani, Hisar, Jind, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad, Nuh, Gurugram, Sirsa, Palwal, and Faridabad, enhancing land productivity through soil treatment and infrastructure development. Another notable project is the establishment of a Cow-Centric Natural Farming Model and Research Lab at RRS, Bawal, with an investment of Rs. 125.00 lakh, which will focus on promoting sustainable agriculture through innovative research.
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
The funding also includes Rs.50.00 lakh for setting up a hydroponic unit at Krishi Kisan Kendra Panchkula of CCSHAU, aimed at soil-less cultivation of horticultural crops. Additionally, Rs. 53.00 lakh will be allocated for constructing modern storage structures for onions at CCS HAU, Hisar, to reduce post-harvest losses. A Bio-Control Lab at RRS, Bawal, will receive Rs. 150.00 lakh to develop organic pest control methods and promote sustainable farming practices.
Institutional Support
Institutional support includes substantial allocations for various institutions. CCS HAU, Hisar, will receive Rs. 497.30 lakh for several projects, including facilities for natural farming and modern storage structures. Maharana Pratap Horticulture University, Karnal, will use Rs. 240.00 lakh to set up quality testing labs and weather stations, while IIWBR, Karnal, will receive Rs. 673.50 lakh to establish diagnostic facilities for wheat disease control and an agri-preneurship center.
Value Addition Projects
Value addition projects include Rs. 117.60 lakh for training in fruit and vegetable processing, Rs. 93.20 lakh for natural farming techniques, and Rs. 149.00 lakh for developing high-quality organic manure. Additionally, Rs.141.11 lakh will be invested in skill development for economically disadvantaged women, and Rs. 31.40 lakh will support sustainable millet production. Seed distribution and support will receive Rs.1500.00 lakh for certified seed distribution, with additional allocations of Rs. 300.00 lakh and Rs. 100.00 lakh for certified seed treatment and quality pesticides. An innovative project integrating agricultural drones and intellectual scarecrows will be funded with Rs. 51.50 lakh to enhance efficiency and pest control.
New SCSP Projects
New SCSP projects include Rs. 21.40 lakh for promoting vermicomposting, Rs. 11.65 lakh for nursery raising techniques, and Rs. 74.00 lakh for establishing nutri-gardens to support food security and empower SC/ST farm women.
Chief Secretary, Sh. T.V.S.N. Prasad emphasised that these investments would provide a significant boost to the agricultural sector in Haryana, ensuring long-term sustainability and economic growth for the farming community.
Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department, Sh. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning Departments, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, and senior officers from universities, irrigation, and agriculture departments remained present during the meeting.