The Rural Prosperity & Resilience Programme (RPRP) is a flagship initiative announced in India’s 2025-26 Union Budget to transform rural India. The programme is designed to combat under-employment in agriculture and rural areas by focusing on skilling, investment, and technology. It aims to generate ample rural opportunities, making migration optional, not necessary.
The programme adopts a multi-sectoral approach, integrating agriculture, skill development, technology adoption, and financial inclusion. It specifically targets rural women, young farmers, marginal and small farmers, and landless families. The first phase will focus on 100 developing agricultural districts with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit parameters.
Why was the Rural Prosperity & Resilience Programme Launched?
Rural India has long faced challenges such as under-employment, low agricultural productivity, migration, and lack of opportunities. Despite the agriculture sector showing a growth of 5% annually from 2016-17 to 2022-23, under-employment persists. The RPRP seeks to:
- Address rural under-employment through skilling and modern technology.
- Promote financial inclusion for farmers and women.
- Improve agricultural productivity and sustainable farming practices.
- Ensure rural areas have enough economic opportunities to reduce forced migration.
- Leverage global and domestic best practices for effective implementation.
- Seek technical and financial assistance from multilateral development banks for large-scale impact.
How will the Programme Support Rural Women and Youth?
A key focus of RPRP is empowering rural women and youth, who constitute a significant portion of the rural workforce. Through this programme:
- Skilling initiatives will provide vocational training and modern agricultural techniques.
- Financial independence for women will be promoted through access to credit and income-generating opportunities.
- Rural youth will be encouraged to participate in agriculture and allied sectors, ensuring they can remain in rural areas instead of migrating to urban centers.
What are the Key Components of the Programme?
The programme relies on three core pillars:
- Skilling: Capacity building for rural women, youth, and farmers to enhance productivity and entrepreneurship.
- Investment: Mobilizing funds for agricultural modernization, post-harvest storage, irrigation, and allied sectors.
- Technology: Adoption of modern technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, and precision farming to improve crop yield, monitor soil health, and manage water resources.
How is the Programme Linked with Other Government Initiatives?
The RPRP will converge with several existing schemes:
- Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY): Targets 100 low-productivity districts, supporting 1.7 crore farmers by improving crop productivity, irrigation, storage, and credit availability.
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): Provides guaranteed employment in 231 blocks across 108 aspirational districts, ensuring livelihood support.
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): Focuses on rural connectivity through road construction, including strategic areas like LWE regions and special category areas.
- Grameen Credit Score Framework: Developed by public sector banks to address credit needs of SHG members and rural populations.
What is the Significance of Aspirational Districts in the Programme?
Aspirational Districts are selected based on low productivity, poor infrastructure, and below-average socio-economic indicators. The programme aligns with the Aspirational Districts Programme, ensuring that rural interventions are concentrated where they are most needed.
The RPRP, in partnership with Department of Rural Development, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Department of Financial Services, will provide targeted interventions in these districts.
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How will Agriculture be Developed Under this Programme?
The programme complements key agricultural initiatives announced in Union Budget 2025-26, including:
| Initiative | Key Features |
| National Mission on High-Yielding Seeds | – Developing 100+ seed varieties including cereals, pulses, and oilseeds. – Ensuring seeds are resilient to pests and climate stress. – Promoting higher productivity while maintaining biodiversity. |
| Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana | – Focused on 100 low-productivity districts. – Enhances productivity, crop diversification, post-harvest storage, and irrigation. – Facilitates long-term and short-term credit to farmers. |
| Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses | – A six-year mission targeting crops like Tur, Urad, and Masoor. – Promotes climate-resilient seeds, higher protein content, and better storage management. – Central agencies like NAFED and NCCF procure pulses from registered farmers. |
| Sustainable Fisheries | – Framework developed for EEZ, High Seas, Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands. – India ranks second globally in fish production, and this initiative strengthens the fisheries sector sustainably. |
| Cotton Productivity Mission | – A five-year mission for improving cotton productivity and sustainability. – Supports extra-long staple cotton varieties. – Promotes the 5F principle: Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign. |
| Food Processing and Gene Bank | – Establishment of National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management in Bihar. – Second Gene Bank to store 10 lakh germplasm lines for food and nutritional security. |
How will the Programme Improve Rural Financial Inclusion?
Financial inclusion is a key component of RPRP:
- Grameen Credit Score Framework: Provides SHG members and rural populations with tailored credit solutions.
- Kisan Credit Cards (KCC): Loan limit increased from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, benefiting 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers.
- Encourages self-reliance and promotes women-led enterprises.
What are the Technology-Driven Interventions?
Modern technology will be integrated for:
- Crop monitoring and health assessment using GIS and remote sensing.
- Early warning systems for pest outbreaks and climate-related risks.
- Post-harvest management and supply chain optimization.
- Digital awareness campaigns for government schemes through mobile apps, SMS, and community radio stations.
How will the Programme Strengthen Rural Infrastructure?
The PMGSY-IV scheme focuses on providing all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations across plain areas, North-East states, tribal regions, desert areas, and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts. With a total budget of Rs 70,125 crore, the programme aims to connect 25,000 unconnected habitations, ensuring better access to markets, schools, and healthcare.
Earlier phases of PMGSY have already upgraded 74,969 km of rural roads, significantly improving mobility, economic integration, and overall development in rural areas. This initiative strengthens infrastructure and supports inclusive growth in remote and underserved communities.
What are the Benefits of the Programme for Small and Marginal Farmers?
The Rural Prosperity & Resilience Programme will benefit the small and marginal farmers in various ways. The details are as follows:
- Improved agricultural productivity through high-yielding seeds and modern farming techniques.
- Access to credit and insurance, reducing financial vulnerability.
- Post-harvest storage and processing facilities, ensuring better income from crops.
- Skill development programs, enhancing employability in allied sectors.
- Support for women and youth, creating diversified income sources within rural areas.
What is the Role of Global and Domestic Best Practices?
The programme emphasizes learning from global best practices in agriculture, rural development, and financial inclusion.
- Adoption of proven strategies ensures efficient use of resources.
- Encourages sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices.
- Leverages technical and financial assistance from multilateral development banks for large-scale implementation.
How will the Programme make Rural Migration Optional?
By creating opportunities locally, RPRP aims to reduce distress migration:
- Employment via skilling and agribusiness opportunities.
- Improved rural income through enhanced productivity and post-harvest value addition.
- Access to finance and credit enabling entrepreneurship in rural areas.
- Development of social and physical infrastructure, making rural living viable and attractive.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Key Points |
| Objective | Address rural under-employment and make migration optional |
| Focus Groups | Rural women, young farmers, marginal & small farmers, landless families |
| Core Pillars | Skilling, Investment, Technology |
| Phase-1 Coverage | 100 developing agricultural districts |
| Related Schemes | PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, PMGSY, MGNREGS, Grameen Credit Score Framework |
| Agriculture Initiatives | High-Yielding Seeds, Pulses Self-Reliance Mission, Cotton Productivity Mission, Fisheries Framework |
| Financial Inclusion | Kisan Credit Cards, SHG credit support |
| Technology Use | GIS, Remote Sensing, Digital Awareness, Early Warning Systems |
| Infrastructure | Rural connectivity through PMGSY-IV, post-harvest storage facilities |
| Global Best Practices | Technical and financial collaboration with multilateral banks |
Also Check:
Questions Based on Rural Prosperity & Resilience Programme
- Which is the lead department implementing the Rural Prosperity & Resilience Programme?
a) Ministry of Agriculture
b) Department of Rural Development
c) Ministry of Finance
d) NITI Aayog
e) Department of Skill Development - How many districts are targeted in Phase-1 of RPRP?
a) 50
b) 100
c) 150
d) 200
e) 75 - What is the primary goal of the programme?
a) Urban migration
b) Make rural migration optional
c) Increase exports
d) Reduce rural population
e) Promote tourism - Which programme is linked with RPRP for enhancing agricultural productivity?
a) PMGSY
b) Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
c) KCC Scheme
d) National Rural Health Mission
e) Skill India - Under Kisan Credit Cards, the loan limit under Modified Interest Subvention Scheme was increased to:
a) Rs 2 lakh
b) Rs 3 lakh
c) Rs 4 lakh
d) Rs 5 lakh
e) Rs 6 lakh - Which technology is used for crop monitoring in the programme?
a) AI and Blockchain
b) GIS and Remote Sensing
c) Drones only
d) Solar Panels
e) None - Which pulses are targeted under the Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses?
a) Moong, Chana, Lentil
b) Tur, Urad, Masoor
c) Soybean, Lentil, Moong
d) Chana, Masoor, Soybean
e) Only Tur - PMGSY-IV targets unconnected habitations with population of:
a) 200+ in all areas
b) 500+ in plains, 250+ in NE/Hill, 100+ in LWE
c) 100+ in plains
d) 1000+ in plains and NE
e) 150+ in all areas - Which state contributes 90% of India’s Makhana production?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Bihar
c) West Bengal
d) Odisha
e) Assam - What is the expected benefit of RPRP for rural women?
a) Migration support
b) Financial independence and employment opportunities
c) Urban skill training
d) Only agricultural knowledge
e) Housing support
Answer Key:
| Question Number | Correct Answer |
| 1 | b) Department of Rural Development |
| 2 | b) 100 |
| 3 | b) Make rural migration optional |
| 4 | b) Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana |
| 5 | d) Rs 5 lakh |
| 6 | b) GIS and Remote Sensing |
| 7 | b) Tur, Urad, Masoor |
| 8 | b) 500+ in plains, 250+ in NE/Hill, 100+ in LWE |
| 9 | b) Bihar |
| 10 | b) Financial independence and employment opportunities |
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