The Rythu Bandhu Scheme, initiated by the Telangana Government in 2018, continues to be a lifeline for farmers across the state in 2024. The scheme provides direct financial assistance to farmers, ensuring they have the resources necessary for each cropping season. By 2024, the scheme has evolved and expanded, with more farmers benefiting from its provisions.
What is the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?
The Rythu Bandhu Scheme is an investment support initiative for farmers in Telangana, offering them ₹5,000 per acre per cropping season. It aims to reduce the financial burden on farmers by helping them purchase agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and cover other expenses related to farming operations. The scheme targets the Kharif (monsoon) and Rabi (winter) seasons, ensuring farmers receive aid twice a year, amounting to ₹10,000 per acre annually.
Key Features of Rythu Bandhu Scheme in 2024
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2018 |
| 2024 Budget | ₹15,500 crore |
| Beneficiaries in 2024 | Over 70 lakh farmers |
| Financial Aid | ₹5,000 per acre per season (Kharif & Rabi) |
| Coverage | Both small and large land-owning farmers |
| Disbursement Method | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to farmers’ bank accounts |
| Exclusion | Tenant farmers and sharecroppers are still not covered under the scheme |
Improvements in 2024
The Rythu Bandhu Scheme in 2024 has continued to benefit the farmers of Telangana. Key improvements in the scheme include:
- Increased Budget: The budget for the scheme has been increased to ₹15,500 crore to accommodate more farmers and ensure timely disbursements.
- Efficient Fund Transfer: With enhanced integration of the Dharani portal and other digital systems, the government ensures faster and more transparent disbursement of funds.
- Increased Awareness: The Telangana government has ramped up awareness programs to ensure more farmers are aware of the scheme and know how to benefit from it.
How the Scheme Works
Farmers receive ₹5,000 per acre per cropping season, which is transferred directly into their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This financial aid is provided twice a year before the start of the Kharif and Rabi seasons, ensuring that farmers have enough money to purchase inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The aid is aimed at reducing the dependency of farmers on high-interest loans from moneylenders.
Eligibility for Rythu Bandhu Scheme 2024
To be eligible for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme in 2024, farmers must meet the following criteria:
- Land Ownership: The scheme only benefits land-owning farmers in Telangana. Tenant farmers and sharecroppers are still excluded from the program.
- Updated Land Records: Farmers must ensure that their land records are up-to-date with the Dharani portal, the state’s land management system.
- One-Time Registration: Farmers need to be registered with the Telangana Agriculture Department. The registration process is typically automatic for those with updated land records.