National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP)
The Context
National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP), known as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in Hindi, is the programme for remunerative approaches for agriculture and allied sector rejuvenation. At its core, RKVY is engineered to incentivise innovation and modernisation in agricultural practices for enhanced productivity and sustainability. Through targeted interventions, the scheme facilitates the integration of modern technologies, high-yielding crop varieties, and sustainable farming methods into the agricultural landscape. RKVY places a strong emphasis on strengthening market linkages for farmers, access to markets, storage facilities, and value chains. It provides states with flexibility in project design and implementation, allowing for tailored solutions to address specific agro-ecological needs for decentralised decision-making. RKVY helps in increasing public investment in agriculture by concentrating on infrastructure, technology adoption and the welfare of the farmer.
Objectives
- To facilitate setting up of required Agri-infrastructure.
- To empower youth through skill development, innovation and agri-entrepreneurship based agribusiness models that attract them to agriculture.
Activities
- Support for pre harvest includes provision of quality inputs.
- Support for post-harvest includes storage, market facilities etc. to enable farmers to make informed choices.
- In addition, support for income generation activities - like integrated farming, mushroom cultivation, apiculture, aromatic plant cultivation, etc. is also provided.
Key Pre-Requisites
- Tailored resource allocation based on agro-ecological needs, prioritizing vulnerable regions
- Implementation of an online-based beneficiary registration system for transparency and inclusion
- Development of a robust Management Information System (MIS) for real-time monitoring
- Engagement of Specific Nodal Agencies (SNAs) for effective program implementation and synergy with Natural Resource Management (NRM) activities
- Integration of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) to enhance agricultural resilience
Empowering Women Farmer: A case study on impact of RKVY in Himachal Pradesh, India
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) initiative in Himachal Pradesh, India recognised the crucial role that women play in subsistence agriculture and decided to launch a project to empower them as farmers. This initiative aimed to form self-help groups (SHGs) and enhance their productivity and revenue through technical support, capacity building, and managerial training.
The impact of this initiative has been profound. Improved agricultural practices led to a 25–30% increase in productivity. The SHGs diversified into various income-generating activities such as organic farming, dairy farming, mushroom culture, and vegetable gardening. They also began producing high-quality products like jams, pickles, and plush toys.
As a result, their revenue increased four to five times. 450 SHGs were linked to banks, facilitating access to financial resources. This financial empowerment significantly boosted the women's economic status, enhancing their self-confidence and decision-making abilities. Some participants even took on leadership roles in Panchayats and ATMA, encouraging more women to participate in development activities.
This initiative not only improved the financial standing of these women but also fostered a sense of independence and community involvement, driving broader social and economic development in the region.
