The components / activities which would be eligible for project based assistance under the Stream-I of the RKVY are elaborated below. This is an indicative list; the states may choose other components/activities, but ensure that they are reflected adequately in the SAP and the DAP. The scheme(s) administered by the Departments of Agriculture and Cooperation, and Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries covering the following components already have elaborate guidelines, which ought to be followed by the implementing Agencies. Assistance for new component(s), if any, could be worked out in consultation with the State Level Sanctioning Committee. The components for the RKVY could cover the following:

• Integrated development of major food crops such as wheat, paddy, coarse cereals, minor millets, pulses, oilseeds: Assistance can be provided for making available certified/HYV seeds to farmers; production of breeder seed; purchase of breeder seed from institutions such as ICAR, public sector seed corporations, production of foundation seed; production of certified seed; seed treatment; Farmers Field Schools at demonstration sites; training of farmers etc. Similar support would be provided for development of other crops such as sugarcane, cotton or any other crop/variety that may be of importance to the state.

• Agriculture mechanization: Assistance would be provided for farm mechanization efforts especially for improved and gender friendly tools, implements and machinery. Specific agricultural mechanization projects oriented toward enhancing farm productivity can be considered under this scheme. However, tractors are not covered under the scheme.

• Activities related to enhancement of soil health: This would include efficient quality control of inputs including strengthening of laboratories and enhancing soil health. Assistance can be provided to the farmers for distributing soil health cards; micro nutrient demonstration; training of farmers for promotion of organic farming including printing of publicity/utility literature; assistance to the state government to strengthen existing soil testing and fertilizer testing laboratories and setting up new ones; amelioration of soils affected with conditions such as alkalinity and acidity.

• Development of rainfed farming systems in and outside watershed areas, as also Integrated development of watershed areas, wastelands, river valleys: Assistance for development of land as also assistance for horticulture, generating livelihoods for farmers Below the Poverty Line (BPL).

• Support to State seed farms: State farms that are used for both research and seed production purposes may be provided funds in a project mode covering aspects such as land development, creation of irrigation facilities, upgrading technology, etc. However, new land acquisition is not permitted.

• Integrated Pest Management schemes : This would include training of farmers through Farm Field Schools etc. on pest management practices; printing of literature/ other awareness programmes.

• Encouraging non-farm activities: Assistance to agri-entreprenuers / agri-graduates to set up agri-clinics / agri-business centres.

• Strengthening of Market Infrastructure and marketing development: Assistance for setting up of cold storages, cold chains, godowns, formation of farmer?s SHGs, setting 10 up collection centre etc. Assistance to PRIs/SHGs in promoting collection and sale to mandis/government agencies.

• Strengthening of Infrastructure to promote Extension Services: This would include new initiatives for skill development and training in the farming community and to revamp the existing State agricultural extension systems.

• Activities relating to enhancement of horticultural production and popularization of micro irrigation systems: Assistance will be available for nursery development, horticulture activities including marketing and drip/sprinkler irrigation.

• Animal husbandry and fisheries development activities: Assistance will be available for improvement in fodder production, genetic upgradation of cattle and buffaloes, enhancement of milk production, enlarging raw material base for leather industry, improvement in livestock health, poultry development, development of small ruminants and enhanced fish production.

• Special schemes for beneficiaries of land reforms: Assistance will be available for improving the net minimum income of this category of beneficiaries. Beneficiaries of land reforms are usually small and marginal farmers. Making their agriculture viable will be possible only when capital investments on land development, irrigation, hightechnology infrastructure in emerging areas such as floriculture, horticulture, seed production, etc are made. Specific projects for groups of such beneficiaries can be taken up with provision for common infrastructure.

• Undertaking concept to completion projects: Undertaking specific projects under agriculture/horticulture/ allied sectors in a concept to completion mode with attention given to all the components such as crop production, technology induction, farmer training, forward and backward linkages, either entirely in the state sector or in partnership with the private sector, where necessary and possible, is permitted under the scheme. Beneficiaries under such projects should, however, predominately be BPL farmers. Projects in risk-prone, underdeveloped, agriculturally distressed, remote, hilly and tribal areas are specially encouraged.

• Grant support to the State Government institutions that promote agriculture/horticulture: Wherever state level institutions that work for promoting agriculture/horticulture/allied sectors require a one-time grant support for their functioning/strengthening, such support can be provided.

• Study tours of farmers: Study tours of farmers to places of interest to them, especially to research institutions etc.

• Orga0nic and bio-fertilizers: Support for decentralized production at the village level and their marketing, etc. This will include vermicomposting and introduction of superior technologies for better production.

• Innovative schemes: The above list is not exhaustive. Therefore, schemes that are important for agriculture, horticulture and allied sector development, but cannot be categorized under (a) to (p) can also be proposed, as innovative schemes.