Ministry Holds Midterm Review Of Agricultural Scheme Implementation In Northern States

The meeting focused on improving the implementation of major schemes including Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and Krishonnati Yojana.

New Delhi:The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Thursday held a midterm review meeting of agricultural schemes implemented by Northern States and urged states to expedite the execution of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) by ensuring timely fund allocation and addressing issues related to state contributions and Single Nodal Account (SNA) balances.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, the meeting focused on improving the implementation of major schemes including Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana, where non-performing states were encouraged to enhance their efforts in the remaining months of the fiscal year.

In the meeting, Secretary, Dr Devesh Chaturvedi urged states to expedite the execution of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) by ensuring timely fund allocation and addressing issues related to state contributions and Single Nodal Account (SNA) balances and emphasised the importance of operationalising SNA-SPARSH, returning unutilised balances and interest, and promptly submitting Utilisation Certificates (UCs).

Dr Chaturvedi also advised states to finalise the RKVY annual action plan for FY 2025-26 by December to enable the timely release of the first instalment by April, aiming to reduce previous delays in fund utilisation.

The meeting also discussed high-priority topics including the National Edible Oils Mission, NABL accreditation for laboratories under the Insecticides Act, and the efficient use of the Krishi Nivesh Portal and Agricultural Infrastructure Fund (AIF) to foster sector growth.

Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary (IC, Oilseeds & Credit), set the agenda for the review and welcomed delegates from the agriculture departments of Northern States.

This was the part of a series by the Central government, addressing specific regional agricultural needs and aiming for equitable and sustainable agricultural development across the country.