Assistance for Tools, Equipment, Shorting/Grading Equipment, PHM Equipment for Scheduled Tribes (HRT-3)

Financial Support for Tools and Equipment for Scheduled Tribes (HRT-3)

The Government of Gujarat has introduced a significant initiative aimed at empowering farmers from Scheduled Tribes (ST) through the scheme titled “Assistance for Tools, Equipment, Shorting/Grading Equipment, PHM Equipment for Scheduled Tribes (HRT-3).” This program provides essential financial assistance to facilitate the purchase of agricultural tools and equipment, which are crucial for enhancing productivity and improving post-harvest management practices.

Overview of the Scheme

Administered by the Directorate of Horticulture under the Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Co-operation Department of Gujarat, the HRT-3 scheme is designed to support individual ST farmers, farmer groups, and cooperative societies. The financial aid covers a variety of equipment including sorting and grading machinery, plastic crates, weights, and packing materials that are integral to effective post-harvest management.

Benefits Offered

The scheme provides substantial financial incentives to eligible applicants:

• Individual Farmers: Can receive assistance covering up to 75% of the total cost of tools and equipment or a maximum of ₹3,750, whichever is lower.
• Farmer Groups and Cooperative Societies: Are eligible for financial support of 90% of the cost of the equipment, capped at ₹7,50,000, whichever is less, specifically for Post-Harvest Management (PHM) equipment installation.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the benefits under this scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must be a permanent resident of Gujarat.
• It is mandatory for the applicant to belong to the Scheduled Tribes category.
• Both individual farmers and registered farmer groups or cooperative societies are eligible to apply.

Important Notes

• Tools and equipment must be procured from authorized dealers of empaneled manufacturers as per the price discovery guidelines established by the Department of Agriculture.
• Compliance with the regulations set by the Agriculture Department for tarpaulin seats is mandatory.
• Companies endorsed by the Agriculture Department for plastic crates must adhere to specified norms.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants can apply online by following these steps:

1. Visit the I-Khedut Portal at https://ikhedut.gujarat.gov.in/.
2. On the homepage, click on ‘Schemes’ followed by ‘Horticulture Schemes.’
3. Select the HRT-3 scheme and thoroughly read the provided instructions.
4. Click on the ‘Apply’ button to access the application form.
5. Press the “Apply New” button to initiate a new application submission.
6. To make any corrections, click on the “Update Application” button.
7. Confirm your application once all details are filled out correctly.
8. Print the confirmed application for your records.
9. Submit a printed copy of the application to the designated office address along with required documentation. Alternatively, after applying online, print the signature/fingerprint, scan it, and upload it using the “Upload Signed Copy of Application Print” feature on the portal.

Additional Notes on Application

• An option to upload a scanned caste certificate is available in the “Other Document Upload” section, where applicable.
• Farmers are not required to submit applications in person at any office.
• Ensure that the scanned documents uploaded in PDF format do not exceed 200 KB in size.

Tracking Your Application

Applicants can monitor the status of their applications and view or print details via the following link: Application Tracking Portal.

Official Source

For more comprehensive information, please refer to the official website: myScheme.gov.in.