He stated that the Government would come out with a whitepaper on the way the crop investment support was implemented so far and the way forward in the budget session either in June or early July.The scheme was intended to prevent farmers falling into a debt trap by providing investment support through direct cash transfers. The very objective with which it was launched would be fulfilled. There are two different schools of thought on the implementation of the scheme.
The Rythu Bharosha, the modified agricultural investment support scheme sought to be implemented from the Kharif this year, would by all means be tailored to meet the needs of the genuine farmers, indicated the Minister for Agriculture, Thummala Nageshwar Rao on Tuesday. He stated that the Government would come out with a whitepaper on the way the crop investment support was implemented so far and the way forward in the budget session either in June or early July.
The modalities for implementation of the enhanced assistance of Rs 15,000 per acre promised by the Congress government under the Rythu Bharosha would be finalised only after taking into confidence all the stake holder organisations. It would be discussed threadbare in both the houses in the State Legislature in the ensuing session. The scheme was intended to prevent farmers falling into a debt trap by providing investment support through direct cash transfers. The very objective with which it was launched would be fulfilled.
The Rythu Bandhu Scheme, launched in 2018–19, is the first-ever cash transfer program for farmers in Telangana. At the time of its launch, the agricultural sector faced challenges such as falling crop prices, rising cultivation costs and increasing farmer suicides. Much of the land that was covered under the Rythu Bandhu scheme was no longer under cultivation of crops. The lands were converted into real estate ventures and mining quarries. Should the owners of such lands continue to enjoy the Rythu Bharosha benefit without raising any crops, government sources said indicating the dilemma the government was facing.
The government would seek to find answers to all such tricky issues only in the assembly by facilitating a thorough debate on the issue.
RYTHU BANDHU
Investment is the surest way to enhance agriculture productivity and also income to the farmers, besides breaking the vicious cycle of rural indebtedness. In order to ensure that the farmers do not fall again in to the debt trap, a new scheme called “Agriculture Investment Support Scheme” (“Rythu Bandhu”) is proposed to be implemented from the year 2018-19 Kharif season onwards to take care of initial investment needs of every farmer. A budget of Rs.12,000 Crores has been provided for the financial year 2018-19 by Government of Telangana.
Relieving the Farmers from debt burden and not allowing them to fall in the debt trap again, Rythu Bandhu Scheme is proposed by Government of Telangana for providing Investment Support Agriculture and Horticulture crops by way of grant of Rs. 5,000/- per acre per farmer each season for purchase of inputs like Seeds, Fertilizers, Pesticides, Labour and other investments in the field operations of Farmer’s choice for the crop season.