Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)

• Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI), a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), launched in 2010-11, is being implemented in seven eastern states namely Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
• Under the programme, assistance is being provided to the farmers for organizing cluster demonstrations on rice and wheat, seed production and distribution, nutrient management and soil ameliorants, integrated pest management, cropping system-based training, asset-building such as farm machinery & implements, irrigation devices, site-specific activities and post-harvest & marketing support, etc.
• Under the programme, the Government of India allocates funds to the State and further allocation to the district is made by the respective State Government.
• BGREI programme is intended to address the constraints limiting the productivity of “rice-based cropping systems” in eastern India. Under these systems, the other crops like wheat, coarse-cum-Nutri cereals, pulses & oilseeds are already covered.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

• The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana was introduced with an aim to provide support to the agricultural sector in achieving 4% annual agriculture growth.
• RKVY scheme was launched in the year 2007 and was later rebranded as Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation (RAFTAAR) to be implemented for three years till 2019-20 with a budget allocation of Rs 15,722 crore.
• In a meeting held on 29th May 2007, the National Development Council (NDC), resolved the idea of launching a Central Assistance Scheme (RKVY) concerned of the slow growth in the Agriculture and allied sectors.
• The NDC also aimed at the reorientation of the agricultural development strategies in order to meet the needs of farmers.
• The scheme provided considerable flexibility and autonomy to States in planning and executing programmes for incentivising investment in agriculture and allied sectors.
• The scheme facilitated decentralized planning in the agricultural sector through the initiation of the State Agriculture Plan (SAP) and District Agriculture Plans (DAPs).
• The scheme was based on the agro-climatic conditions ensuring the availability of appropriate technology and natural resources thus providing accommodation for the local needs.

Objectives of RKVY RAFTAAR

• Risk mitigation, strengthening the efforts of the farmers along with promoting agri-business entrepreneurship through the creation of agri-infrastructure.
• Providing all the states with autonomy and flexibility in making plans as per their local needs.
• Helping farmers in increasing their income by encouraging productivity and promoting value chain addition linked production models.
• To reduce the risk of farmers by focusing on increasing the income generation through mushroom cultivation, integrated farming, floriculture, etc.
• Empowering the youth through various skill development, innovation, and agri-business models.

RKVY – RAFTAAR

• A component, the Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development programme has been launched under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in order to promote innovation and agri-entrepreneurship by providing financial support and nurturing the incubation ecosystem.
• These start-ups are in various categories such as agro-processing, artificial intelligence, digital agriculture, farm mechanisation, waste to wealth, dairy, fisheries etc.
• The following are the components of this scheme:

1. Agripreneurship Orientation – 2 months duration with a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000/- per month. Mentorship is provided on financial, technical, IP issues etc.
2. Seed Stage Funding of R-ABI Incubatees – Funding up to Rs. 25 lakhs (85% grant & 15% contribution from the incubator).
3. Idea/Pre-Seed Stage Funding of Agripreneurs – Funding up to Rs. 5 lakhs (90% grant and 10% contribution from the incubatee).