Rythu Bandhu Scheme: Know the Eligibility, Amount, Benefits, and Status Check
Updated: Jan 4
The Rythu Bandhu Scheme, also called the Agriculture Investment Support Scheme, was created by the Telangana government's Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Department in an effort to increase agricultural output and revenue for Telangana state farmers. To address the initial investment needs of all farmers, this program was started during the 2018–19 Kharif season. Telangana state's farmers receive assistance through the Rythu Bandhu Scheme. According to their landholdings, the government pays farmers by cheque under this system rather than Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), as banks may use the DBT funds to offset the farmers' past dues.
Table of Content
Recent Updates in the Rythu Bandhu Scheme
On June 26, 2023, the Telangana government began paying out Rs. 7,720.29 crore to over 70 lakh farmers as part of the Rythu Bandhu scheme's eleventh installment. 1.5 lakh Podu farmers, who own about four lakh acres of Podu lands, were among the 5 lakh new farmers' accounts that were added to the program this year. The State Government's Agriculture Department serves as the scheme's nodal agency, while the sub-district agriculture officials are the scheme's implementation nodal officers. In order to provide monetary benefits, the state's banking institutions are active participants at the village and sub-district levels. Private, public, and cooperative banks are among the participating banks in this program.
Rythu Bandhu Scheme Objectives and Features
The two goals of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme are:
To promptly ensure cash grants to all farmers in order to meet their initial investment needs
To prevent farmers from becoming trapped in debt
It seeks to assist farmers in the state in covering a sizable portion of their costs for seed, fertiliser, pesticides, and field preparation. The Rythu Bandhu Scheme aids farmers in raising agricultural output and the economic output of the state.
Rythu Bandhu Scheme Implementation
The government's Land Record Upgradation Programme (LRUP), which was launched prior to the Rythu Bandhu Scheme, consolidated different sources of information on farmers' agricultural land ownership.
According to the LRUP, the Revenue Department examined and updated every farmer's land ownership record in Telangana state.
The Revenue Department provided Pattadar passbooks for land ownership to qualified farmers under this program based on the property holding records.
In the beginning, the government created a list of 72 lakh eligible farmers based on the Revenue Department survey. Later on, though, the list was expanded to include additional farmers.
Approximately 55% of Telangana's population is employed in agriculture. Thus, the 31 districts are covered by around 1.42 crore acres under this project.
Approximately 5,000 local revenue officers and agriculture extension agents will inspect and confirm whether or not a farmer who was given the scheme funds has planted the crop.
The government is also providing farmers with new free Pattadar Dharani passbooks that contain updated information, such as land purchase, sale, and ownership facts, in addition to a cheque showing the Rythu Bandhu amount. With 17 tamper-proof security features, the new passbook is safe.
Following the release of the eleventh installment of the Rythu Bandhu scheme, the Telangana government has contributed a total of Rs. 72,910 crore to the program thus far.
Eligibility for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme
The farmers have to be Telangana state residents.
The agricultural land must belong to the farmers.
All farmers who cultivate land in forests (mostly from Scheduled Tribe populations) and have a Record of Forest Rights (ROFR) paperwork are eligible, including small and marginal farmers.
This program does not apply to commercial farmers.
Tenant farmers and farmers operating under a rental agreement are also ineligible for this program.
Amount Per Acre for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme
All Telangana farmers would receive Rs. 10,000 per acre annually from the government. It is provided in two installments or tranches, each of which is Rs. 5,000 per acre throughout the Rabi and Kharif crop seasons. The permissible number of acres is unlimited. As a result, every crop season, all farmers receive Rs. 5,000 for each acre they own.
Benefits of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme
The Telangana government would give each farmer in the state a cheque for Rs. 5,000 per acre every season as part of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme initiative. It is applicable to crops grown during the Rabi and Kharif seasons. As a result, the government gives the qualified farmers Rs. 10,000 annually (Rs. 5,000 per acre during the Rabi season and Rs. 5,000 per acre during the Kharif season) to purchase fertiliser, chemicals, seeds, and other agricultural necessities. Bank loans that farmers ask for are delayed since they are not promptly authorised in time for the crop season. The Rythu Bandhu funds give farmers a buffer because they can buy seeds and fertiliser with the scheme funds and begin planting. Furthermore, over the course of four or five years, Telangana farmers would be able to pay off all of their loans thanks to the funds supplied under this initiative. The government offers farmers numerous other benefits in addition to the funds from this initiative, such as free insecticides and pesticides. The farmer will become self-sufficient and their financial situation will improve as a result of this plan.
Application Process for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme
By providing their bank account information to the Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) or local agriculture officers, any farmer who owns land can apply for this program. The documents needed for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme are as follows:
Documentation proving land ownership
Voter ID proof of address
Details of the bank account
Certificate of BPL (if applicable)
Caste certificate
Status Check for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme
Farmers can use the procedure below to view the Rythu Bandhu Scheme amount distribution status:
Step 1: Go to Rythu Bandhu's official website.
Step 2: Click the "Cheque Distribution Venue Schedule" option after swiping down the main page.
Step 3: Choose the District and Mandal from the drop-down menu on the following page.
Step 4: Details about the cheque distribution location will show up on the screen.
Conclusion
In addition to ending the cycle of rural debt, investment is the most reliable approach to increasing agricultural output and farmers' income. A new program named the "Agriculture Investment Support Scheme" (also known as "Rythu Bandhu") is suggested to be put into place starting with the 2018–19 Kharif season in order to address each farmer's initial investment needs and prevent them from becoming trapped in debt again. Farmers must know everything about this scheme to avail themselves of its benefits and become self-sufficient.
FAQ
Q1. How to check the Rythu Bandhu Scheme status?
Through the official Rythu Bandhu website, farmers can check the progress of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme by selecting the "Cheque Distribution Venue Schedule" option and providing the necessary information.
Q2. Who is eligible for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?
This program is open to all farmers who own land and live in Telangana state. Tenant farmers and commercial farmers, however, are not qualified for this program.
Q3. What is the age limit for Rythu Bandhu?
The Rythu Bandhu scheme has no upper age limit. Under this program, any farmers who own land are eligible.
Q4. What is the amount of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?
Under the Rythu Bandhu initiative, the government will give Rs. 10,000 per acre per season. In the Rabi and Kharif seasons, it will yield Rs. 5,000 per acre and Rs. 5,000 per acre, respectively.
Q5. What is the amount of Rythu Bandhu in 2023?
In 2023, all eligible farmers in the state would receive Rs. 5,000 per acre per season from the government. About 70 lakh farmers received the first payment of Rs. 5,000 from the government on June 26, 2023.
Q6. How much does the Rythu Bandhu Scheme give per acre per year?
Under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme, the government gives Rs. 5,000 per acre throughout the year.
Q7. What was the start date of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?
The establishment of the Rythu Bandhu project took place on May 10, 2018. On February 25, 2018, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao unveiled the plan during a conference. Checks were distributed on May 10, 2018, marking the start of the scheme's first phase.
Q8. How to check the Rythu Bandhu Scheme status in 2024?
Rythubandhu.telangana.gov.in is the official website for checking the online status of an application for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme. Because the applicant does not need to visit any government office, both the government and the applicant can save a great deal of time and effort by checking the application progress online.
Q9. Who is Eligible for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?
All land-owning farmers in Telangana are eligible, regardless of the landholding size. Tenant farmers and sharecroppers, however, are not covered under the scheme.
Q10. How Much Financial Assistance is Provided Under the Scheme?
Farmers receive ₹10,000 per acre annually, distributed in two installments of ₹5,000 each for the Rabi and Kharif crop seasons.
Q11. What Expenses Can Be Covered Using Rythu Bandhu Funds?
The funds can be used to cover essential agricultural costs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and irrigation, ensuring smooth farming operations without reliance on loans.
Q12. How Are Payments Made to Farmers Under the Scheme?
Payments are directly transferred to the farmers’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to ensure transparency and reduce delays.
Q13. Are Tenant Farmers Included in the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?
No, the scheme is specifically designed for land-owning farmers. Tenant farmers are excluded, which has led to calls for broader coverage.
Q14. What Documents Are Required to Avail Benefits Under the Scheme?
Farmers need valid land records, an Aadhaar card, and a bank account linked to their Aadhaar to register and receive benefits.
Q15. How Has the Rythu Bandhu Scheme Benefited Farmers?
The scheme has reduced dependence on high-interest loans, improved agricultural productivity, and supported farmers in managing their financial needs during critical crop seasons.
Q16. Can Rythu Bandhu Benefits Be Claimed for Non-Agricultural Land?
No, the scheme is strictly limited to land used for agricultural purposes. Land used for commercial or residential purposes is not eligible.
Q17. How Can Farmers Check the Status of Their Rythu Bandhu Payment?
Farmers can visit the official Rythu Bandhu website or check with their local agricultural office to track payment status and updates regarding the scheme.
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