The Centre has issued new guidelines permitting states to tie up with private firms for big projects under its flagship programme Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). In a major reform to boost farm sector growth, the Centre has kept a target of four per cent agriculture growth rate for the 12th Five Year plan (2012-17).

It has allocated 9,217 crore rupees for RKVY in the 2012-13 fiscal. Speaking to media in New Delhi, Agriculture Secretary Ashish Bahuguna said the ministry has issued a framework on Public Private Partnership for Integrated Agricultural Development (PPPIAD) under the RKVY to state governments.

Our correspondent reports, as per the PPPIAD norms, the states have been given flexibility to team up with private sector players on large-scale integrated agri-projects that provide end-to-end solutions from production to marketing.