Chief Secretary, B R Sharma, Wednesday reviewed the progress of implementation of Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and National Mission on Saffron for the year 2016-17.The ceiling under RKVY (Normal) which was earlier approved to the tune of Rs 37 Cr has been revised by the Union Government and increased to Rs 40 Cr.The increased allocation under RKVY (Normal) of Rs 3 Cr is proposed to be utilised under the Foot & Mouth Disease Control Programme (FMD-CP).Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) is an economically devastating contagious viral animal disease, affecting all susceptible cloven-footed animals. As per Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) estimates in India, direct loss due to milk and meat is to the tune of Rs 20,000 Cr per annum. Indirect losses are due to reduced work capacity; abortions, subsequent infertility and sterility.In order to prevent economic losses due to the disease, ‘Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme (FMD-CP)’ is already under implementation in 13 States and 6 UTs. With robust implementation of FMD-CP in these States, disease occurrence has drastically been reduced.
To make entire country FMD free within the next few years, the Union Agricultural Ministry decided to extend the FMD-CP to remaining 16 States including J&K and one Union Territory i.e Chandigarh and for the purpose allotted Rs 100 Cr. These States have been asked to carry out intensive FMD vaccination by availing assistance under RKVY for 2016-17.Meanwhile, against the approved outlay under RKVY (Normal), an amount of Rs 18 Cr has been released till ending October, 2016 involving Rs 16.16 Cr as Central share and Rs 1.84 Cr as State share.Chief Secretary called upon the Agriculture Department to undertake evaluation/field studies of RKVY impact, both in terms of addressing field level infrastructural gaps and also benefits that have accrued to the farmers in the form of yield and returns.
Chief Secretary also stressed on achieving quantifiable outcomes in agriculture and allied sectors and called for better synergy between Agriculture department and Rural Development, Floriculture, Horticulture and Cooperative department, in order to improve the outcomes under RKVY. Both the Agricultural Universities were also asked to share valuable suggestions and inputs towards improving the next year’s RKVY Plan.While reviewing the implementation of the Rs 400 Cr flagship Saffron Mission for which an action plan of Rs 72.35 cr has been approved for the year 2016-17, Chief Secretary said that it needs to be ascertained as to what extent the mission has impacted the production of Saffron for which an evaluation study should be carried out by the department.