Rythu Bandhu Scheme: Eligibility, Status Check, Amount, Benefits

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The Telangana government started the disbursement of Rs.7,720.29 crore to about 70 lakh farmers under the 11th tranche of the Rythu Bandhu scheme on 26 June 2023. This year, 5 lakh new farmers’ accounts were added under the scheme, including 1.5 lakh Podu farmers owning around four lakh acres of Podu lands.

The Telangana government’s  Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Department introduced the Rythu Bandhu Scheme, also known as Agriculture Investment Support Scheme, to enhance the agriculture productivity and income for the farmers of Telangana state. It introduced this scheme in the year 2018-19 Kharif season to take care of the initial investment needs of all farmers.

The Rythu Bandhu Scheme is a support scheme for the farmers in Telangana state. Under this scheme, the government provides cheque payments to the farmers based on their landholdings instead of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) since banks might use the DBT money to adjust against the previous dues of the farmers. 

The Agriculture Department of the State Government is the nodal agency for this scheme, and the agriculture officers posted at the sub-district level are the nodal officers for the scheme’s implementation. Banking institutions in the state are important stakeholders and are proactively involved at the village and sub-district levels to disburse cash benefits. The participating banks under this scheme are private, public sector, and cooperative banks.

Objectives of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme

The Rythu Bandhu Scheme has two-fold objectives:

• To provide timely cash grants for the initial investment needs of all farmers
• To ensure that farmers do not fall into debt traps 

It aims to help the state’s farmers meet a significant part of their expenses on fertiliser, pesticide, seed and field preparation. 

Rythu Bandhu Scheme eligibility in Telangana

• The farmers must be residents of Telangana state
• The farmers must own the agricultural land 
• All farmers are eligible, including small and marginal farmers and farmers cultivating the land in the forest (majority from Scheduled Tribe communities) having a Record of Forest Rights (ROFR) document
• Commercial farmers are not eligible under this scheme
• Farmers working on a rental contract or tenant farmers are also not eligible under this scheme

Rythu Bandhu Scheme amount per acre

The government will give Rs.10,000 per acre every year to all Telangana farmers. It is given in two tranches or installments, i.e. Rs.5,000 per acre per crop season (Rabi and Kharif seasons). There is no cap on the number of acres. Thus, all farmers get Rs.5,000 for each acre they own every crop season. 

List of crops covered under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme

• Paddy
• Soybean
• Peas
• Cotton
• Pepper
• Phosphorus
• Corns
• Sugarcane
• Such other crops

How to apply for the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?

All farmers who own land can apply for this scheme by contacting the Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) or local agriculture officers and giving them their bank account details. 

Documents required for Rythu Bandhu Scheme

• Aadhaar card
• Land ownership papers
• Pan card
• Voter ID
• Address proof
• Bank account details
• BPL certificate (if applicable)
• Caste certificate

Rythu Bandhu Scheme status check

Farmers can check the Rythu Bandhu Scheme amount distribution status by following the below process:

• Visit the official Rythu Bandhu website.
• Scroll down on the home page and click the ‘Cheque Distribution Venue Schedule’ option.
• On the next page, select the District and Mandal from the drop-down menu.
• The cheque distribution venue details will appear on the screen.

Rythu Bandhu Scheme implementation

• Before implementing the Rythu Bandhu Scheme, the government implemented the Land Record Upgradation Programme (LRUP), which reconciled various information sources on agricultural land ownership of farmers.
• The Revenue Department looked into and updated the entire land holding records of farmers in Telangana state as per the LRUP. 
• Based on the land holding records, the Revenue Department issued Pattadar passbooks for land ownership to eligible farmers under this scheme.
• Based on the Revenue Department survey, the government initially drew a list of 72 lakh eligible farmers. However, more farmers were later added to the list.
• Around 55% of the population in Telangana make a living from agriculture. Thus, this scheme covers about 1.42 crore acres in the 31 districts.
• About 5,000 agriculture extension officers and village revenue officers will examine and verify whether a farmer who received the scheme amount has sowed the crop or not.
• Along with a cheque proving the Rythu Bandhu amount to the farmers, the government is also giving new free Pattadar Dharani passbooks with updated information, including land purchase, sale, and ownership details. The new passbook is secure with 17 tamper-proof security features.
• After the disbursement of the 11th installment of the Rythu Bandhu scheme, the total contribution of the Telangana government under this scheme so far amounts to Rs.72,910 crore. 

Benefits of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme

Under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme, the Telangana government will give each farmer Rs.5,000 per acre every season through a cheque. It is applicable for crops in Rabi and Kharif seasons. Thus, the eligible farmers get Rs.10,000 from the government every year (Rs.5,000 per acre for the Rabi season and Rs.5,000 per acre for the Kharif season) to buy chemicals, seeds, fertiliser, and other needs for agriculture.

Farmers apply for loans from banks that are not approved quickly in time for the crop season and thus get delayed. The Rythu Bandhu money provides a cushion to the farmers because, with the scheme money, the farmer can purchase fertiliser and seeds and start sowing. Plus, the amount provided under this scheme will help Telangana farmers eliminate all their debts over four or five years. 

Along with this scheme money, the government also provides farmers with many other facilities like free pesticides and insecticides. Through this scheme, the farmer’s financial condition will improve, and they will become self-dependent.

Rythu Bandhu Scheme helpline number

Rythu Bandhu Scheme helpline number - 040 2338 3520

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the amount of Rythu Bandhu in 2023?

The government will provide Rs.5,000 per acre each season to all eligible farmers in the state in 2023. On 26 June 2023, the government distributed the first installment of Rs.5,000 to around 70 lakh farmers.

How to check the Rythu Bandhu Scheme status?

Farmers can check the Rythu Bandhu Scheme status through the official Rythu Bandhu website by clicking on the ‘Cheque Distribution Venue Schedule’ option and entering the required details.

Who is eligible for Rythu Bandhu Scheme?

All farmers residing in Telangana state and owning lands are eligible for this scheme. However, commercial farmers and tenant farmers are not eligible under this scheme.

What is the age limit for Rythu Bandhu?

There is no age limit for the Rythu Bandhu scheme. All farmers owning lands are eligible under this scheme.

What is the amount of the Rythu Bandhu Scheme?

The government will provide Rs.10,000 per acre every season under the Rythu Bandhu scheme. It will provide Rs.5,000 per acre in the Rabi season and Rs.5,000 per acre in the Kharif season. 

How much Rythu Bandhu gives per acre per year?

The government provides Rs.5,000 per acre every season under the Rythu Bandhu Scheme.