What is the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?

About Rythu Bandhu Scheme

• The Rythu Bandhu scheme, also known as the Farmer's Investment Support Scheme (FISS), is a welfare programme for farmers started by the Telangana government in 2018.
• The objective of this scheme is twofold:
  • to provide a timely cash grant for the initial investment needs of farmers
  • to ensure that farmers do not fall into the debt trap.
• Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs 5,000 per acre per farmer each season is directly transferred to each farmer's account.
• This financial support was distributed biannually, allocated for both the kharif and rabi harvests.
• The assistance can be used for the purchase of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labour, and other investments in the field operations of Farmer’s choice for the crop season.
• Eligibility:
  • The scheme is open to all resident farmers in the state who own land.
  • Farmers cultivating the land in the forest, a majority of them from Scheduled Tribe communities and having a Record of Forest Rights (ROFR) document, are also eligible to receive benefits under the scheme.
• It is the country's first direct farmer investment support scheme where cash is paid directly to the beneficiary.

Q1) What are kharif and rabi crops?

In India, the agricultural calendar is marked by two primary cropping seasons known as Rabi and Kharif. Rabi crops, such as wheat and barley, are sown in the winter months, predominantly between October and December, and are later harvested in spring. On the other hand, Kharif crops like rice and maize are planted as the monsoon arrives in June, with harvesting typically taking place from September to October.

Source: Telangana polls: EC withdraws permission given to BRS to distribute funds under 'Rythu Bandhu' Scheme