Rythu Bharosa Scheme, Benefits, Amount, Eligibility Criteria

The Congress government in Telangana has announced to provide maximum investment support of ₹12,000 for every acre to farmers on a yearly basis under Rythu Bharosa, against ₹15,000 promised by the Congress during the 2023 Assembly elections. 

WhatsApp Channel Join Now

The Chief Minister confirmed that the Rythu Bharosa can provide benefits to the qualifying farmers from January 26. The investment benefit amount will be provided for every acre of cultivable agricultural land without any qualifying conditions.

Rythu Bharosa Scheme

In Telangana, Rythu Bharosa scheme was announced by the Congress prior to the elections as one of its major promises. The Congress promised to boost the benefit amount up to ₹15,000 per acre from ₹10,000 per acre annually. However, because of the state’s financial constraints, the government will also provide ₹12,000 annually to both landowners and landless agricultural families. 

The government announced that the farmers will be able to get the benefit amount directly into their bank account from January 26. The Rythu Bharosa scheme is basically designed to provide investment support to qualifying farmers through direct cash benefits that they can utilize for purchasing seeds and fertilizers.

Who is eligible for Rythu Bharosa Scheme?

The Congress government introduced the Rythu Bharosa scheme to provide financial assistance to farmers to cover the early investment costs like seeds during the time of sowing and alleviate the dependence on high-interest debts. But as of now, government officials do not disclose exact beneficiary eligibility requirements.

There is nothing confirmed about the tenant farmers and no assurance about their involvement in the future. But it is expected that to get the benefits from the Rythu Bharosa scheme farmers need to have a permanent residency in Telangana. It is also expected that cash support will be provided to both landowning farmers and tenants. To qualify, farmers need to have land that can be suitable for only agriculture. 

Lands that are not suitable for cultivation such as lands that were designated for industrial use, mining, hills, roads, for real estate cannot qualify for the Rythu Bharosa scheme of the Telangana government. Opposition parties demanded that the government should implement the promised amount and provide this financial support to tenants.

How much will you get from the Rythu Bharosa Scheme?

On 04 January 2025, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy stated that the government can provide Rs.6,000 for every acre in each crop season. As there are two crop seasons, qualifying farmers will be able to get a maximum of Rs.12,000 for every acre in a year. 

He also disclosed that because of the State’s prevailing financial hardships qualifying landless agricultural labour households of the State will not be able to get the promised amount of Rs.15,000 for every acre on a yearly basis. 

When will you receive benefits from the Rythu Bharosa scheme?

When the Telangana government confirmed its long-delayed release of Rythu Bharosa, which is an agriculture investment support scheme, it received a mixed reception. Some considered that it is a sign of relief that the bi-annual cash assistance (in rabi and kharif seasons) can be provided from January 26, 2025. 

But few farmers’ showed disappointment about the unfulfilled aspects of the Congress’s election promises. The Rythu Bharosa Scheme was prominently disclosed in Congress’s electoral campaigns before the 2023 Assembly election. 

Congress stated that we only need a 100-day deadline to implement these guarantees but unfortunately, Congress failed to implement these changes and faced criticism for the long delay.

Criticism on the Rythu Bharosa Scheme

The new Rythu Bharosa scheme was introduced by Congress before the elections as one of its key promises where they promised to increase the financial support to ₹15,000 per acre from ₹10,000 per acre annually. 

But because of the financial pressure, the government has confirmed to raise it to ₹12,000 annually. District-level officials and other government officials, under the condition of silence, stated that unconditional transfers are tension-free and straightforward in execution. 

But they raise a concerning question: How long can the State afford unconditional financial assistance transfer schemes given its difficult financial conditions?

What people have suggested about the Rythu Bhoshar Scheme?

One of the experts stated that there is evidence containing NSSO data that disclosed that such small parcels of land restrict individuals to work in others’ fields for livelihood. Such landowners should be included in both IAB and Rythu Bharosa schemes.

Whereas the other one said, “We suggested that all agricultural workers’ households involving those who have more than one acre of land, should get a benefit amount from the landless labour schemes.  

He also suggests that the minimum investment support under Rythu Bharosa need to be at least Rs.6000 for every crop season, for all landowners who have a land parcel of under an acre.

There has been no response from the officials on such recommendations. But some farmers’ are still hopeful that, if not during this season then the government will provide these benefits from the next round of cash disbursal.

Leave a Comment