One Time Assistance to Small and Marginal Farmers for Purchase of Small Farm Implements (OTA-SFI)

One Time Assistance to Small and Marginal Farmers for Purchase of Small Farm Implements (OTA-SFI)

The “One Time Assistance to Small and Marginal Farmers for Purchase of Small Farm Implements (OTA-SFI)” initiative, launched by the Agriculture Department of the Government of West Bengal, is designed to support farmers in acquiring essential manually operated agricultural tools. This scheme is a significant step towards improving agricultural productivity and sustainability in the region.

About the Scheme

Introduced on February 12, 2013, as part of the Farm Mechanization Umbrella Scheme, OTA-SFI aims to facilitate the purchase of essential small farm implements required for effective agricultural operations. The financial assistance primarily focuses on manually operated tools, ensuring that small and marginal farmers can enhance their farming activities.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Financial Support: Farmers can receive assistance up to ₹10,000 or 50% of the total indicative price of the purchased manually operated machinery, whichever is lower.
• Eligible Equipment: Assistance is available for various manually operated tools including:
  • Sprayers
  • Manually operated paddy threshers
  • Cono weeders
  • Drum seeders
  • Solar light traps
  • Chaff cutters
  • Seed bins and trays
  • Seeders
  • Battery operated sprayers and PVC pipes for irrigation.

Area of Operation

This scheme is applicable throughout West Bengal, excluding the Kolkata district.

Benefits of the Scheme

The OTA-SFI provides a structured pattern of assistance, which allows beneficiaries to purchase a combination of different farm implements within the subsidy limit. However, a maximum of two identical items may be procured by an applicant. It’s important to note that battery-operated sprayers and PVC pipes are also eligible for financial assistance.

Important Notes:

• The government does not procure machinery or equipment directly. Instead, it provides subsidies to beneficiaries who purchase these items independently.
• Subsidy disbursement is conducted through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
• Beneficiaries must purchase equipment from approved manufacturers and dealers listed on the departmental portal.
• An individual beneficiary or their spouse cannot apply for fresh assistance for four years following the last subsidy received under any farm mechanization scheme.

Eligibility Criteria

• Individual farmers must be registered under the Krishak Bandhu (New) Scheme.
• Groups such as SKUS, PACS, FPO, FPC, FIG, SHG, and LAMPS that are recognized by government institutions can also apply.
• The applicant must be at least 18 years old on the date of application.

Exclusions

• Applicants who have received a subsidy within the last four years under any farm mechanization scheme are ineligible to apply.
• Employees or retirees from the State Government, statutory bodies, government undertakings, and local bodies, as well as those from government-aided educational institutions, cannot apply.

Application Process

Online Registration Steps:

1. Visit the official Farm Management System (FMS) portal and click on “New Registration.”
2. Complete the “Applicant Registration” form with all mandatory details.
3. Verify the information provided and click “Sign Up.”

Application Submission Steps:

1. Access the FMS portal and click on “Log in.”
2. Input your Voter Card number, password, select the season, and click “Log In.”
3. Fill out the application form with all required information.
4. After submitting the application online, print a copy along with the acknowledgment receipt, a recent passport-sized photograph, and any other necessary documents to submit to the Assistant Director of Agriculture in your block within the specified timeframe.
5. Applicants will have one opportunity to edit their application before submitting the hard copy; no further edits can be made after submission.
6. Refer to the serial number generated during the online application for all inquiries.

Helpline Information

For assistance, contact the helpline at 8336957298, available from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Official Source

For more information, please visit myScheme.gov.in.