Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is a flagship central government scheme launched with the objective of strengthening agriculture and allied sectors in India. Its main goal is to make farming a viable and sustainable economic activity, ensuring that farmers receive better returns and improved livelihoods. The scheme encourages states to increase public investment in agriculture by providing them with financial autonomy. This allows states to design and implement schemes tailored to their specific needs, crops, and regional priorities, reflecting local agro-climatic conditions and resources.

One of the major strengths of RKVY is the flexibility it gives to states. Instead of following a standard approach, each state can create its own action plans for crop improvement, seed production, farm mechanization, fertilizer management, pest control, organic farming, and women empowerment in agriculture. This flexibility helps states address unique challenges and capitalize on local opportunities, leading to more meaningful interventions and impactful results.

RKVY is also focused on risk mitigation and promoting entrepreneurship. The scheme supports skill development for youth, encourages agri-business incubation, and promotes innovative activities like integrated farming, mushroom cultivation, floriculture, and value-added processing. By building robust post-harvest infrastructure—such as storage, processing facilities, and marketing support—RKVY helps farmers access better markets, reduce losses, and earn higher profits.

In addition to crop production, RKVY covers allied activities such as animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture, plantation crops, dairy, and soil and water conservation. This comprehensive approach strengthens not just the agricultural sector, but also the broader rural economy. Farmers benefit directly through material support, loans, subsidies, and exposure to new technologies and practices. As a result, several states have significantly improved their agricultural growth rates, sometimes surpassing national averages, contributing to India’s food security and rural prosperity.

Overall, RKVY is instrumental in modernizing Indian agriculture by embracing flexibility, innovation, and locally-driven solutions, ultimately leading to increased farmer incomes and holistic rural development.