Annual Report 2009-2010 - Department of Agriculture & Co-operation

Annual Report 2009-2010
112
them to allocate more resources and take up
plans which can generate growth.
23.15 State governments, keeping in view their
priorities, have approved project proposals for
implementation under the RKVY in many sectors,
including crops, horticulture, organic farming,
farm mechanisation, micro/minor irrigation,
watershed development, agriculture marketing
and storage, seed farms, and soil/fertilizer testing
laboratories, which have been starved over the
years due to paucity of funds.
23.16 Physical Progress: The Ministry has
undertaken to measure progress of each project
under RKVY, not only in physical terms, but also
in terms of project outcomes, and their growth
impact. The compilation for 2008-09 in terms of
targets and expected outcomes for each Stream-
I project has been done and provided to the
states for indicating actual achievement of
outputs and outcomes. The compilation of
information is under progress.
23.17 Substantial Step-Up in Allocation to
Agriculture by States: There is good evidence
to show that the states have indeed stepped up
allocation to the agriculture and allied sectors.
Allocation to agriculture and allied sectors was
5.11 per cent of total State Plan Expenditure in
2006-07. This has gone up to 5.84 per cent in
2008-09 (RE/approved).
23.18 Conclusion: RKVY is a quantum jump in
evolution from the variegated schematic
approach followed so far through diverse but
straitjacketed schemes, to a completely new
approach in agriculture planning, by allowing the
states to first plan a strategy and then design
schemes to meet that strategy by providing for
variety and flexibility in scheme design.
23.19 This new initiative has imparted
momentum to the agriculture sector. Regular
activities starved of resources, promising
strategies languishing for lack of support, and
limited opportunities for experimentation and
innovation, have found a new hope in RKVY. The
implementation machinery in the states has by
now stabilised to cope with an increased pace
of activity. There is hope and optimism.
Agriculture, which has made a comeback in
policy and progressive agenda. A timely policy
instrument-the RKVY-has indeed accelerated
revival of agriculture.