Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is one of the most important initiatives launched to strengthen India's agriculture sector and support the millions of farmers who depend on it. As farming continues to be the backbone of the country's economy, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana plays a central role in driving growth and building a stronger, more resilient rural India.
At its core, the scheme is designed to make agriculture a more profitable and rewarding livelihood. By promoting innovation, sustainable farming, and value addition, RKVY empowers farmers with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.
Now implemented as Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, it continues to improve productivity, support allied activities, and uplift rural communities — shaping a more secure and prosperous future for Indian agriculture. This guide covers everything about the scheme, including its objectives, RKVY-RAFTAAR Allied Sectors, benefits, eligibility, online application process, and the latest PM-RKVY updates for 2026.
Key Takeaways — RKVY 2026
- Launched in 2007, renamed RKVY-RAFTAAR in 2017, rebranded as PM-RKVY in October 2024
- Total budget: ₹57,074.72 crore | Budget Allocation (recent, 2026): ₹8,550 crore
- Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Funding: 60:40 (Centre: State) for general states, 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan states
- Official Portal: https://rkvy.da.gov.in/
- Phone: 011-23070964
- States have full flexibility to choose and fund agriculture projects based on local needs
- Covers crops, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, mechanisation, soil health, and agri-startups
- Multiple schemes like SHM, PKVY, and PDMC are subsumed under PM-RKVY
What is Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)?
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Government of India in 2007 to promote the holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors across the country. It was introduced after the National Development Council (NDC) raised concerns over the slow growth in agriculture, with the aim of encouraging states to boost public investment, ensure remunerative returns for farmers, and promote agri-entrepreneurship.
A key strength of the RKVY scheme is its flexibility. States can design and implement their own farming projects based on their District Agriculture Plans (DAPs) and State Agriculture Plans (SAPs) — covering areas like crop development, horticulture, fisheries, livestock, and post-harvest infrastructure. This allows each state to address its specific agro-climatic conditions and local needs.
Funded on a 60:40 basis between the Centre and States, the scheme is currently implemented as Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), approved by the Union Cabinet on 3 October 2024.
Objectives of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana scheme
The RKVY objectives focus on making agriculture more productive, profitable, and sustainable for Indian farmers.
Main Objectives:
- To develop agriculture as a main source of economic activity
- To encourage state governments to increase public investment in agriculture and allied sectors
- To give states flexibility and autonomy in designing agriculture programmes based on local conditions
- To reduce yield gaps in important crops through focused interventions
- To strengthen agricultural and post-harvest infrastructure and reduce losses
- To promote diversification into high-value crops, horticulture, livestock, and fisheries
- To reduce agricultural risks through income-generating activities like integrated farming, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, and floriculture
- To promote agri-business entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem
- To engage youth in agriculture through skill development, innovation, and agribusiness models
- To facilitate decentralised planning through State Agriculture Plans (SAPs) and District Agriculture Plans (DAPs)
- To encourage production and productivity models linked with value addition to increase farmer income
- To address agriculture and allied sectors in an integrated manner
- To promote convergence with other central and state schemes
Key Features of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana scheme
Here are the key features of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana scheme:
State Plan Scheme: Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is a State Plan scheme, where states hold full responsibility for planning and implementing agricultural projects.
Decentralized Planning: States enjoy full autonomy to design, plan, and carry out agricultural projects according to local needs, crop priorities, and the resources available to them.
Funding Pattern: The financial assistance is split between the Central and State governments — a 60:40 ratio (Centre to State) for most states, and 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan states.
State Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for funds, states must maintain or raise their baseline budgetary spending on agriculture and allied sectors.
Holistic Coverage: The scheme spans a broad range of allied activities, such as horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries, agricultural marketing, and post-harvest infrastructure.
Infrastructure & Asset Building: It places strong emphasis on developing pre- and post-harvest infrastructure — including storage facilities, market connectivity, and processing units — to narrow crop yield gaps and boost farmers' returns.
Promoting Agripreneurship: Operating as RKVY-RAFTAAR, the scheme drives innovation and skill development to empower rural youth, backing agri-business startups and encouraging value chain addition.
State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC): Projects are evaluated and sanctioned at the state level by the SLSC, chaired by the respective state's Chief Secretary, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Benefits of The RKVY Scheme for Farmers
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana offers multiple benefits to farmers and the agriculture sector:
- Financial Assistance and Entrepreneurship: Agri-startups can get up to ₹25 lakh (85% grant, 15% own contribution) as seed funding. Early-stage agripreneurs can get up to ₹5 lakh (90% grant, 10% own contribution) to start their business.
- Agripreneurship Training: Selected agripreneurs receive a 2-month training programme with a ₹10,000 monthly stipend. It covers financial, technical, and business guidance.
- Infrastructure Development: Funds are used to build warehouses, cold storage, market yards, and processing units. This helps farmers store their produce and get fair prices.
- Risk Reduction: Farmers are encouraged to take up activities like integrated farming, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, and floriculture. This creates additional income and reduces dependence on a single crop.
- Employment Generation: The scheme creates jobs in rural areas through agriculture and allied activities. This includes farm-level work and jobs in processing, marketing, and support services.
- Higher Agricultural Production: States use funds based on their local needs to boost production in crops, horticulture, animal husbandry, or organic farming. This increases overall output and farmer income.
- Support for Allied Sectors: Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana extends beyond crop farming to include fisheries, dairy, horticulture, and animal husbandry, helping farmers diversify their income sources.
- Crop Diversification: Supports farmers in moving from traditional crops to higher-value options like floriculture, medicinal crops, and aromatic plants.
- State Flexibility: Each state designs its own agricultural programmes based on local farming conditions. No fixed central format is imposed.
- Organic and Sustainable Farming: Promotes organic practices, soil conservation, and natural resource management for long-term soil health.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Eligibility Criteria
Here are the key eligibility criteria for receiving funds under the RKVY scheme:
- All States and Union Territories are eligible.
- A state's eligibility is based on its average expenditure on agriculture and allied services — the state must maintain or increase its own spending on the sector to remain in the RKVY basket.
- Preparation of State Agriculture Plans (SAPs) and District Agriculture Plans (DAPs) is mandatory to receive funds.
Allied Sectors Covered Under the RKVY Scheme
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana supports a wide range of agriculture and allied sectors, giving states the flexibility to fund projects across the entire farming ecosystem. Here are the key sectors covered under the scheme:
- Crop Husbandry (including Horticulture)
- Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries
- Agricultural Research and Education
- Agricultural Marketing
- Food Storage and Warehousing
- Soil and Water Conservation
- Agricultural Financial Institutions
- Other Agriculture Programmes and Cooperation
Documents Required for Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Application
The documents needed depend on the specific component you're applying for. Here are the most commonly required documents:
- Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or PAN Card (identity and address proof)
- Detailed business plan and Pitch deck (for agri-startups under RKVY-RAFTAAR)
- Project summary
- Financial projection
- Certificate of Incorporation (for company/LLP)
- Partnership deed (if applicable)
- Registration certificates
- Bank Details and Cancelled cheque
- Passport-size Photograph
- Relevant academic or technical certificates (if required by the incubation center)
- Proof of concept or prototype details
- Any sector-specific licenses (if required)
How to Apply for Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
For Farmers & FPOs:
Farmers and FPOs don't apply to RKVY directly — they benefit through state-run projects. Here's how they can access Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana support.
- Step 1: Identify District Projects
Visit your local District Agriculture Office or State Agriculture Department portal to check for active RKVY projects in your specific region.
- Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
Gather necessary documents such as your Aadhaar Card, bank account details, and land/agricultural records.
- Step 3: Submit Proposal/Application
Submit your project proposal or scheme application through your State Agriculture Department or the Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC).
- Step 4: Verification and Approval
Your application will be vetted by the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC).
- Step 5: Fund/Subsidy Disbursement
Once approved, you will receive the subsidy, asset, or support directly through the state’s implementing agency
For Agri-Startups (RKVY-RAFTAAR):
Here's a simple step-by-step process for startups and MSMEs to apply for RKVY-RAFTAAR support
- Step 1: Choose an Incubator
Find your nearest recognised R-ABI from the official list on agristartup.gov.in
- Step 2: Prepare Your Proposal
Draft a business proposal covering your idea, innovation, target market, and financials.
- Step 3: Submit and Pitch
Apply to the incubator; if shortlisted, pitch your idea to an expert committee.
- Step 4: Approval and Onboarding
Once approved, the incubator forwards your application to the Ministry, and you join the incubation program
- Step 5: Fund Disbursement
Grants are released in tranches — ₹5 lakh (idea/pre-seed) and ₹25 lakh (seed stage) — based on milestones
RKVY Helpline & Contact Information
For Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana-related queries, use these official channels:
National Helpline:
Helpline: +91 11 2307 0964
Email: sorkvy-dac@nic.in
Official Portals:
rkvy.da.gov.in - the official portal of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
agristartup.gov.in - official portal for the RKVY-RAFTAAR innovation and agripreneurship component
State-Level Help:
