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Rythu Bandhu scheme, also known as Farmer’s Investment Support Scheme (FISS), is a welfare program to support farmer’s investment in two crops a year by the Government of Telangana. The scheme was launched in 2018 by the Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrashekhar Rao, with an aim to relieve the farmers from debt burden and enhance their productivity and income.
The scheme offers financial help of ₹10,000 per year to each farmer (two crops) irrespective of the number of acres they own. The scheme is considered as the first direct farmer investment support scheme in India, where the cash is paid directly to the farmers through a bank bearer cheque along with a new Pattadar Passbook, which is the title deed of their land.
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What is the history of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?
The Rythu Bandhu scheme is a welfare program to support farmer’s investment in two crops a year by the Government of Telangana. The scheme was announced by the Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrashekhar Rao, at the Farmers Coordination Committee (Rythu Samanvaya Samithi) conference on 25 February 2018.
It was launched on 10 May 2018 at Dharmarajpalli village in Karimnagar. The scheme is considered as the first direct farmer investment support scheme in India, where the cash is paid directly to the farmers through a bank bearer cheque along with a new Pattadar Passbook, which is the title deed of their land.
The scheme offers financial help of ₹10,000 per year to each farmer (two crops) irrespective of the number of acres they own. The total farming land in the state is 1.43 crore acres and the number of farmers in the state stood at 58.33 lakh as of 2020.
The scheme also has a “Give it up!” option, where the rich and willing farmers can voluntarily forgo the support given by the government and contribute to the corpus of Rythu Samanvaya Samithi, which is a farmer coordination committee established by the government to address various issues related to agriculture.
The scheme is administered by the Agriculture Extension Officers (AEO) at the village level, who supervise the distribution of cheques and make entries on a tablet computer provided to them for easy monitoring. The scheme also issues new Pattadar Passbooks to the farmers, which are the title deeds of their land after an exercise to purify the land records was done by the government. The passbooks have QR codes and biometric features to prevent fraud and duplication.
The objective of the scheme is to relieve the farmers from debt burden and enhance their productivity and income by supporting their investment for two crops a year. The scheme has shown positive results in terms of increasing the income, expenditure, indebtedness, and well-being of the farmers in Telangana.
However, the scheme also faces some challenges and limitations such as excluding tenant farmers, who do not have legal rights over their cultivated land, not differentiating between irrigated and rainfed lands, which have different input requirements and risks, not taking into account the variations in input costs across crops, regions and seasons, and not addressing some of the structural issues affecting agriculture such as lack of access to quality inputs, markets, insurance, extension and research.
Features of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme
The main features of the Rythu Bandhu scheme are as follows:
The scheme covers all the farmers in Telangana who own agricultural land, regardless of their size of holding. The total farming land in the state is 1.43 crore acres and the number of farmers in the state stood at 58.33 lakh as of 2020.
The scheme provides ₹5,000 per acre per season (₹10,000 per year) to each farmer for the purchase of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labour and other investments in the field operations of their choice for the crop season.
The scheme is implemented twice a year, for rabi (winter) and kharif (rainy) seasons. A budget of ₹14,800 crore was allocated for the scheme for the financial year 2021-222.
The scheme is administered by the Agriculture Extension Officers (AEO) at the village level, who supervise the distribution of cheques and make entries on a tablet computer provided to them for easy monitoring.
The scheme also issues new Pattadar Passbooks to the farmers, which are the title deeds of their land after an exercise to purify the land records was done by the government. The passbooks have QR codes and biometric features to prevent fraud and duplication.
The scheme also has a “Give it up!” option, where the rich and willing farmers can voluntarily forgo the support given by the government and contribute to the corpus of Rythu Samanvaya Samithi, which is a farmer coordination committee established by the government to address various issues related to agriculture.
Benefits of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme
The Rythu Bandhu scheme has been widely appreciated and praised by various experts, economists and policymakers as a progressive and innovative intervention to support the farmers and improve their livelihoods. Some of the benefits of the scheme are:
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· The scheme empowers the farmers to make their own decisions regarding their crop choices, input use and farm management practices, which enhances their efficiency and profitability.
· The scheme incentivizes the farmers to adopt improved technologies and practices such as micro-irrigation, soil health management, crop diversification and climate-resilient agriculture, which improves their productivity and sustainability.
· The scheme boosts the rural economy and generates employment opportunities by increasing the demand for farm inputs and services.
· The scheme also improves the land records and governance system by issuing new Pattadar Passbooks and digitizing the data on land ownership and transactions.
How to Apply for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?
To apply for the Rythu Bandhu scheme, you need to follow these steps:
- Visit your nearest MeeSeva centre or Revenue office and submit your old passbook and Aadhaar card to get a new Pattadar Passbook, which is the title deed of your land. The new passbook will have QR codes and biometric features to prevent fraud and duplication.
- Provide your bank account details to the Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) or local agriculture officers, who will verify your land ownership and eligibility for the scheme.
- Receive a bank bearer cheque from the government along with your new Pattadar Passbook. The cheque is payable at any branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) in Telangana.
- Deposit the cheque in your bank account and use the money for the purchase of inputs and investments for your crops as per your choice.
You can also check the status of your cheque online by visiting the official website of the Treasury and Account Department (5) or the portal for both Rythu Bandhu and Rythu Bima schemes (Rythu Bandhu/Bima). You can also track your cheque through the Rythu Bandhu mobile app, which is available on Google Play Store (Android Apps on Google Play) and Apple App Store.
Challenges and Limitations of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme
Despite its positive impacts and outcomes, the Rythu Bandhu scheme also faces some challenges and limitations that need to be addressed and overcome. Some of these are:
- The scheme provides timely and unconditional cash assistance to the farmers, which reduces their dependence on informal sources of credit and helps them avoid debt traps and distress sales.
- The scheme empowers the farmers to make their own decisions regarding their crop choices, input use and farm management practices, which enhances their efficiency and profitability.
- The scheme incentivizes the farmers to adopt improved technologies and practices such as micro-irrigation, soil health management, crop diversification and climate-resilient agriculture, which improves their productivity and sustainability.
- The scheme boosts the rural economy and generates employment opportunities by increasing the demand for farm inputs and services.
- The scheme also improves the land records and governance system by issuing new Pattadar Passbooks and digitizing the data on land ownership and transactions.
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Conclusion
The Rythu Bandhu scheme is a novel and commendable initiative by the Government of Telangana to support the farmers and improve their welfare. The scheme has shown positive results in terms of increasing the income, productivity and empowerment of the farmers. However, the scheme also has some scope for improvement and refinement to make it more inclusive, equitable and efficient. The scheme should be complemented by other measures and policies that address the various challenges and constraints faced by the farmers and create a conducive atmosphere for agriculture development.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the Rythu Bandhu scheme:
Who is eligible for the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
All the farmers who own agricultural land in Telangana are eligible for the Rythu Bandhu scheme, irrespective of their size of holding.
How much money is given to each farmer under the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
Each farmer is given ₹5,000 per acre per season (₹10,000 per year) under the Rythu Bandhu scheme for purchase of inputs and investments for their crops.
How is the money given to the farmers under the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
The money is given to the farmers through a bank bearer cheque along with a new Pattadar Passbook, which is the title deed of their land.
When is the money given to the farmers under the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
The money is given to the farmers twice a year, for rabi (winter) and kharif (rainy) seasons.
What is the budget allocated for the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
The budget allocated for the Rythu Bandhu scheme for the financial year 2021-22 is ₹14,800 crore.
What is the objective of the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
The objective of the Rythu Bandhu scheme is to relieve the farmers from debt burden and enhance their productivity and income by supporting their investment for two crops a year.
What are the benefits of the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
The benefits of the Rythu Bandhu scheme are:
- It provides timely and unconditional cash assistance to the farmers, which reduces their dependence on informal sources of credit and helps them avoid debt traps and distress sales.
- It empowers the farmers to make their own decisions regarding their crop choices, input use and farm management practices, which enhances their efficiency and profitability.
- It incentivizes the farmers to adopt improved technologies and practices such as micro-irrigation, soil health management, crop diversification and climate-resilient agriculture, which improves their productivity and sustainability.
- It boosts the rural economy and generates employment opportunities by increasing the demand for farm inputs and services.
- It also improves the land records and governance system by issuing new Pattadar Passbooks and digitizing the data on land ownership and transactions.
What are the challenges and limitations of the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
The challenges and limitations of the Rythu Bandhu scheme are:
- It excludes tenant farmers, who constitute a significant proportion of the farming population in Telangana. Tenant farmers are not eligible for the scheme as they do not have legal rights over their cultivated land. This creates a disparity and discrimination among farmers and deprives them of the benefits of the scheme.
- It does not differentiate between irrigated and rainfed lands, which have different input requirements and risks. Irrigated lands receive more support than rainfed lands under the scheme, which may create an imbalance in resource allocation and crop pattern.
- It does not take into account the variations in input costs across crops, regions and seasons. The flat rate of ₹5,000 per acre per season may not be sufficient or adequate for some crops or regions that have higher input costs or lower returns.
- It does not address some of the structural issues affecting agriculture such as lack of access to quality inputs, markets, insurance, extension and research. The scheme may not be sustainable or effective in the long run without addressing these issues and creating an enabling environment for agriculture.
How can a farmer apply for the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
A farmer does not need to apply for the Rythu Bandhu scheme. The scheme is automatically applicable to all the farmers who own agricultural land in Telangana. The farmer only needs to have a new Pattadar Passbook, which is the title deed of their land, and a bank account to receive the cheque from the government.
How can a farmer get a new Pattadar Passbook under the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
A farmer can get a new Pattadar Passbook under the Rythu Bandhu scheme by visiting their nearest MeeSeva centre or Revenue office and submitting their old passbook and Aadhaar card. The new passbook will be issued within 15 days after verification of the land records and biometric authentication of the farmer.
How can a farmer check the status of their cheque under the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
A farmer can check the status of their cheque under the Rythu Bandhu scheme by visiting the official website of the scheme ([Rythu Bandhu]) or by calling the toll-free number 1800-599-4788. The farmer can also track their cheque through the Rythu Bandhu mobile app, which is available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
What is the “Give it up!” option under the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
The “Give it up!” option under the Rythu Bandhu scheme is a voluntary initiative where the rich and willing farmers can forgo the support given by the government and contribute to the corpus of Rythu Samanvaya Samithi, which is a farmer coordination committee established by the government to address various issues related to agriculture. The farmers who opt for this option will receive a certificate of appreciation from the government and will be recognized as “Rythu Mitras” (farmer friends).
How many farmers have opted for the “Give it up!” option under the Rythu Bandhu scheme?
According to the government data, as of March 2021, more than 1.25 lakh farmers have opted for the “Give it up!” option under the Rythu Bandhu scheme and have contributed more than ₹200 crore to the corpus of Rythu Samanvaya Samithi.
What are some of the other schemes and initiatives launched by the Government of Telangana for farmers?
Some of the other schemes and initiatives launched by the Government of Telangana for farmers are:
- Rythu Bima: A life insurance scheme that provides ₹5 lakh to the family of a deceased farmer aged between 18 and 60 years.
- Rythu Vedika: A platform for farmers to interact, share and learn from each other and access various services and benefits from the government.
- Kanti Velugu: A free eye screening and treatment program for all farmers in Telangana.
- Haritha Haram: A massive afforestation program that aims to increase the green cover in Telangana from 24% to 33%.
- Mission Kakatiya: A program to restore and rejuvenate more than 46,000 tanks and lakes in Telangana to improve irrigation and groundwater levels.
What is the eligibility criteria for availing Rythu Bandhu Scheme?
The eligibility criteria for availing Rythu Bandhu scheme are as follows:
- The farmer must own agricultural land in Telangana, irrespective of the size of holding. The land ownership is verified by the new Pattadar Passbook, which is the title deed of the land issued by the government.
- The farmer must have a bank account to receive the cheque from the government. The cheque is payable at any branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) in Telangana.
- The farmer must not have opted for the “Give it up!” option, where the rich and willing farmers can voluntarily forgo the support given by the government and contribute to the corpus of Rythu Samanvaya Samithi, which is a farmer coordination committee established by the government.
What is the maximum amount a farmer can get under Rythu Bandhu Scheme?
The maximum amount a farmer can get under Rythu Bandhu scheme is ₹10,000 per year, which is ₹5,000 per acre per season for two crops. This amount is fixed and does not vary according to the type, size or location of the land or the crop. However, the farmer can also get additional benefits from other schemes and initiatives launched by the Government of Telangana for farmers, such as Rythu Bima, Rythu Vedika, Kanti Velugu, Haritha Haram and Mission Kakatiya.
What is the difference between Rythu Bandhu and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi?
Rythu Bandhu and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi are both schemes that provide income support to the farmers in India. However, there are some key differences between them, such as:
- Rythu Bandhu is a scheme launched by the Government of Telangana in 2018, while PM Kisan Samman Nidhi is a scheme launched by the Central Government in 20192.
- Rythu Bandhu is based on anticipated input expenditure for each acre of land and there is no restriction on the number of acres owned by a farmer. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi only provides support to the family and not to the farm units.
- Rythu Bandhu provides ₹5,000 per acre per season (₹10,000 per year) to each farmer for purchase of inputs and investments for their crops. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi provides ₹6,000 per year to each farmer family in three equal installments of ₹2,000.
- Rythu Bandhu covers all the farmers who own agricultural land in Telangana, regardless of their size of holding. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi covers only small and marginal farmers who own up to 2 hectares of land across the country.
- Rythu Bandhu excludes tenant farmers, who do not have legal rights over their cultivated land. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi includes tenant farmers, who have been given legal recognition by some states like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
What is the budget allocation for Rythu Bandhu Scheme in 2023?
According to the web search results, the budget allocation for Rythu Bandhu scheme in 2023 is Rs 15,075 crore. This is an increase from the previous year’s allocation of Rs 14,800 crore. The scheme provides Rs 5,000 per acre per season to each farmer for purchase of inputs and investments for their crops. The scheme covers all the farmers who own agricultural land in Telangana, regardless of their size of holding.
What is the official website for Rythu Bandhu scheme?
The official website for Rythu Bandhu scheme is Rythu Bandhu, where you can find information about the scheme, its features, benefits, eligibility, application, status, and FAQs. You can also access the website through the link Rythu Bandhu/Bima, which is a portal for both Rythu Bandhu and Rythu Bima schemes. The website is designed and developed by National Informatics Centre (TS), Hyderabad, Ministry Of Electronics & Information Technology, Government Of India.
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