July : Maharashtra has become the first state in India to qualify for the release of the second installment under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), following its timely utilisation of centrally allocated funds. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, congratulated the Government of Maharashtra for achieving this milestone and praised its commitment to effective implementation of agricultural development programmes.

The announcement was made during a virtual review meeting chaired by the Union Minister to assess the utilisation of funds released under RKVY and to consider the release of the second installment to the state. The meeting was attended by Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Shri Dattatray Bharane, senior officials from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, and officers of the Maharashtra Government.

According to the Union Minister, the Government of India had earlier released ₹335 crore as the first installment under RKVY to Maharashtra. The state has already utilised approximately ₹260 crore, surpassing the mandatory 75 percent utilisation benchmark, thereby becoming eligible for the second installment. The Centre has initiated the process for releasing another ₹335 crore under the scheme.

Congratulating Maharashtra on its achievement, Shri Chouhan stated that becoming the first state to qualify for the second installment reflects its efficient planning and timely execution of agricultural development programmes. He stressed that while timely expenditure is important, continuous monitoring is equally essential to ensure that public funds are utilised strictly for their intended objectives.

The Union Minister also appreciated Maharashtra's performance in generating Farmer IDs and recalled the state's prompt response in providing financial assistance to farmers affected by floods. He highlighted that nearly ₹14,000 crore in compensation was transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts within just five days, demonstrating the state's administrative efficiency.

Reviewing the progress of various RKVY components, Shri Chouhan expressed satisfaction with Maharashtra's performance under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). However, he urged the state to accelerate implementation and fund utilisation in key areas such as Digital Agriculture, Agriculture Extension, National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Seeds, Oilseeds, and Agroforestry. He also advised officials to clear pending liabilities under the Seeds component to improve overall expenditure.

The meeting also included a review of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The Union Minister emphasised the importance of farmers providing accurate information while applying for crop insurance. He clarified that both Kisan Credit Card (KCC) holders and non-KCC farmers remain eligible for insurance benefits, but applicants should not conceal their KCC status by applying through alternate accounts. The proposed declaration on the insurance portal, he explained, is intended solely to enhance transparency and ensure accurate records.

Shri Chouhan further noted that the Government of India extends significant financial support under the Kisan Credit Card scheme through interest subvention and incentives for timely repayment. Accurate disclosure of information, he said, is crucial for maintaining transparency and ensuring efficient utilisation of public resources.

Expressing confidence in Maharashtra's future performance, the Union Minister said the state is well-positioned to further improve implementation across the remaining RKVY components and continue contributing significantly to the growth and development of India's agriculture sector.