Hyderabad: A statewide crop mapping exercise has thrown up a key shift in the implementation of Rythu Bharosa scheme, with a pilot study indicating that nearly one in every ten land parcels may be kept out of the input investment support net. The findings are expected to influence the state govt’s final call on eligibility and the timing of the next round of payments to farmers.A pilot crop mapping study conducted by Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agriculture University in Sirikonda mandal of Nizamabad district found that about 10% to 12% of land parcels would be excluded from Rythu Bharosa as they are either non-arable or not under cultivation. The study also showed that nearly 12% to 15% of land in the mandal is non-arable and unsuitable for cultivation.The Congress govt had earlier excluded only non-arable land from the scheme while extending the benefit to land parcels that were not under cultivation. This approach had resulted in the removal of about 1.5 lakh acres from the scheme’s ambit.Non-arable land refers to land that cannot be cultivated due to physical constraints such as rocky terrain, steep slopes, extreme wetness or dryness, or adverse climatic conditions. While such land may be used for grazing, development or conservation, land that is not under cultivation is otherwise suitable for farming but remains fallow.“We will soon complete the mapping in another 30 days. Then the govt will take a decision,” said sources familiar with the development.Even before coming to power in 2023, the Congress had alleged that the previous BRS govt had spent large sums on land not under cultivation under its Rythu Bandhu scheme. According to the Congress, the absence of eligibility limits led to the disbursement of nearly Rs 22,000 crore to uncultivated land since the scheme’s launch in May 2018.Rs 6,000 cr during rabiOnce the crop mapping exercise is completed, the govt is expected to announce the schedule for crediting Rs 6,000 per acre for the rabi season (Oct-March). Usually, the amount is deposited in farmers’ bank accounts by Sankranti. This year, however, the disbursement has been delayed due to the incomplete survey of agricultural land parcels, especially those currently under cultivation.The govt has earmarked nearly Rs 9,000 crore to support over 70 lakh farmers cultivating 1.43 crore acres.Farmers receive Rs 6,000 per acre as investment support twice a year. During the previous kharif season (June-Sept), Rs 9,000 crore was credited to farmers’ accounts in a span of 10 days.
