**Executive Summary**
This document reports on Unstarred Question No. 400 in the Lok Sabha, concerning the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) component under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY) in Andhra Pradesh. The question, posed by Dr. Byreddy Shabari, sought details on activities, funds, farmer coverage, impact evaluation, and pending proposals. The answer from the Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Ramnath Thakur, outlines the implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of RAD since 2014-15 and evaluation study findings for the programme.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Scheme Implementation:**
* The government is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rainfed Area Development (RAD) across the country, including Andhra Pradesh, since 2014-15.
* The scheme promotes Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) to enhance productivity and minimize climate-related risks.
* IFS integrates crops/cropping systems with activities like horticulture, livestock, fishery, agro-forestry, and apiculture.
* **Funding and Activities (2021-2026):**
* The document provides year-wise details of central funds allocated, released, and utilized in Andhra Pradesh.
* A total of Rs. 5895.00 Lakh was allocated, Rs. 1149.00 Lakh was released, and Rs. 798.00 Lakh was expended.
* There was a total of 17797 farmers benefitted covering an area of 11885 ha.
* District-wise details of funds utilized in 2022-23 and 2025-26 are listed (see Annexure-I).
* **Evaluation Study:**
* A NITI Aayog evaluation study in 2025 found RAD interventions effective in enhancing livelihood security and adaptive capacity in vulnerable agro-climatic zones.
* 61.27% of beneficiaries described the impact as "very positive," and 33.89% observed some positive change.
* The study recommends scaling these interventions with a focus on convergence and localized tailoring.
* **2025-26 Allocation:**
* Central assistance of Rs. 1096.0 Lakh was allocated to Andhra Pradesh for implementing their RAD Annual Action Plan.
* Rs. 548.0 lakh has been released in the first installment.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Andhra Pradesh Farmers
* **Impact:** Benefit from enhanced livelihood security, improved farm productivity, and increased climate resilience through RAD interventions and integrated farming systems.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the RAD program and implement recommended practices for soil-moisture conservation and diversified cropping systems.
**Stakeholder:** Andhra Pradesh Government
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing the RAD scheme effectively, utilizing allocated funds, and reporting on activities and outcomes.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the allocated funds (Rs. 1096.0 Lakh for 2025-26, with Rs. 548.0 Lakh released in the first installment) for RAD Annual Action Plan implementation, monitor and evaluate the program's impact, and scale successful interventions.
**Stakeholder:** NITI Aayog
* **Impact:** Conducted impact evaluation study and provided key recommendations to scale the programme.
* **Action Required:** Conduct further localized tailoring to deepen missions' transformative impact.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY): A centrally sponsored scheme, with Rainfed Area Development (RAD) as a component, focused on agricultural development.
Rainfed Area Development (RAD): A component of the PMRKVY scheme, focused on developing rainfed agricultural areas.
Andhra Pradesh: The state where the RAD component of PMRKVY is being implemented and about which the questions are asked.
NITI Aayog: The entity that conducted the Evaluation Study of RAD Program.
Integrated Farming System (IFS): The approach being promoted under the RAD scheme for enhancing productivity and minimizing climate risks.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 400
TO BE ANSWERED ON 2ND DECEMBER, 2025
RAINFED AREA DEVELOPMENT UNDER PMRKVY
400. DR. BYREDDY SHABARI:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान
क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state:
(a) the details of activities undertaken under the Rainfed Area Development
(RAD) component of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY) in
Andhra Pradesh, especially Nandyal, during the last five years, year-wise;
(b) the details of funds allocated, released and utilised for RAD in Andhra
Pradesh during the said period, year and district-wise;
(c) the number of farmers and villages covered under RAD in Andhra Pradesh
along with details of integrated farming systems, water conservation projects and soil
management activities undertaken;
(d) whether any evaluation has been conducted on the impact of RAD in
improving farm productivity, income levels and climate resilience in Andhra Pradesh
and if so, the findings thereof; and
(e) whether any proposals from Andhra Pradesh for expansion or new projects
under RAD are currently pending and if so, the details and current status thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR )
(a) to (c): Government is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rainfed
Area Development (RAD) across the country including Andhra Pradesh since 2014-
15. The scheme focuses on promoting Integrated Farming System (IFS) in the
country for enhancing productivity and minimizing risks associated with climatic
variability. Under the scheme, crops/cropping system is integrated with activities like
horticulture, livestock, fishery, agro-forestry, apiculture etc.Details of activities undertaken during the last five years, funds allocated,
released and expenditure in respect of State of Andhra Pradesh including Nandyal
district for implementation of the program are at Annexure- I. Nandyal district has
not been covered so far during 2025-26.
(d) & (e): Evaluation Study of RAD Program has been carried out by NITI
Aayog in 2025. The Study found that RAD interventions, when bundled and
implemented in a site-appropriate manner, have proven to be effective in enhancing
livelihood security in vulnerable agro-climatic zones and has resulted in
substantially enhancing adaptive capacity in drought-prone regions. 61.27% of the
beneficiaries described the impact as very positive, while another 33.89% observed
some positive change which point towards the success of RAD in boosting
resilience against climatic shocks, either through soil-moisture conservation,
diversified cropping systems, or landscape-based development approaches. The
study further recommended that scaling these interventions with a focus on
convergence and localized tailoring could further deepen mission’s transformative
impact. During 2025–26, central assistance of Rs.1096.0 Lakh has been allocated
to Andhra Pradesh for implementation of their RAD Annual Action Plan for the
above amount out of which Rs. 548.0 lakh have been released in first instalment.Annexure-I
Year wise details of central funds allocated, released & utilized and activities
undertaken in Andhra Pradesh
(Amount in Lakhs)
Year Allocation Released Expenditure No of Area
(Central (Central (Central farmers covered
share) share) share) benefitted (in ha)
2021-22 1000.00 0.00 0.00 - -
2022-23 1000.00 250.00 250.00 14256 8910
2023-24 1399.00 0.00 0.00 - -
2024-25 1400.00 351.00 0.00 - -
2025-26 1096.00 548.00 548.00 3541 2975
Total 5895.00 1149.00 798.00 17797 11885
District wise release of funds reported by the State during the year 2022-23 &
2025-26
Name of District Amount utilised in Lakh Rs. Amount utilised in Lakh Rs.
(including State share) (including State share)
2022-23 2025-26
Nandyal 8.00 -
Tirupathi 9.76 -
Annamaiah 19.28 -
Kadapa 15.76 -
Prakasam 113.48 340.84
Kurnool 58.00 22.75
Anathapuramu 67.33 3.17
Chittoor 42.51 494.40
Sri SatyaSai 57.10 -
Kakinada - 35.94
Nellore - 8.87
Vizianagaram - 2.89
Visakhapatnam - 4.49
Total 391.22 913.35
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