Sub-mission On Agriculture Mechanization

Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is a pivotal initiative introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in the fiscal year 2014-15. The scheme aims to enhance agricultural productivity by promoting the adoption of modern farming equipment across all states in India.

Overview of the Scheme

This initiative recognizes the vital role of agricultural machinery in boosting productivity through timely and efficient farming practices. The primary goal is to elevate the farm power ratio to 2.5 kW/ha in cultivable areas. To achieve these objectives, the SMAM will be implemented nationwide, supporting farmers in their mechanization efforts.

Funding Structure

The SMAM comprises both centrally sponsored components and components under the central sector scheme. The funding structure is as follows:

• The Government of India covers 60% of the costs in all states, while the respective states contribute 40%.
• For the North-Eastern and Himalayan states, the funding ratio is more favorable, with the central government contributing 90% and states contributing 10%.
• In Union Territories, the central government provides full funding at 100%.

Mission Strategy

To fulfill the objectives of the SMAM, several strategic approaches will be adopted:

• Conducting performance evaluations of various agricultural machinery at designated Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institutes (FMTTIs), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), and ICAR institutions.
• Facilitating on-field and off-field training and demonstrations to promote awareness of farm mechanization.
• Offering financial assistance to farmers for the acquisition of agricultural machinery and implements.
• Establishing custom hiring centers tailored to specific locations and crops.
• Providing financial support to small and marginal farmers for hiring machinery in regions where mechanization is low.

Components of the Mission

The SMAM includes a variety of components aimed at promoting agricultural mechanization:

• Enhancing agricultural mechanization through training, testing, and demonstrations.
• Demonstrating and distributing post-harvest technology and management (PHTM).
• Financial assistance for the purchase of agricultural machinery and equipment.
• Establishing farm machinery banks for custom hiring.
• Creating hubs for high-tech and high-productive equipment available for custom hiring.
• Fostering farm mechanization initiatives in select villages.
• Providing financial support for mechanized operations conducted through custom hiring centers.
• Encouraging the use of farm machinery in the North-Eastern region.

Benefits of the Scheme

The SMAM aims to achieve several key benefits:

• Providing agricultural machinery to economically disadvantaged farmers through government subsidies.
• Expanding the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers, especially in regions with limited farm power availability.
• Establishing ‘Custom Hiring Centres’ to address the challenges of small landholdings and high costs associated with individual ownership.
• Increasing awareness among stakeholders through demonstration and capacity-building programs.
• Developing hubs for advanced and high-value agricultural equipment.
• Ensuring rigorous performance testing and certification of machinery at designated centers.
• Offering subsidies ranging from 50% to 80% to farmers for purchasing agricultural machinery under the scheme.
• Prioritizing women farmers for benefits under this initiative.
• Facilitating affordable access to agricultural equipment for farmers, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.
• Ultimately, this scheme aims to boost farmers’ incomes by enhancing crop yields while minimizing operational costs.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the SMAM, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• All landholding farmer families, Self Help Groups (SHGs), User Groups, Cooperative Societies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Entrepreneurs are eligible.
• Applicants must be citizens of India.
• Women farmers are encouraged to apply and will be given priority.
• The scheme is targeted at financially weaker farmers.
• Farmers must not have benefited from subsidies under any other central government scheme previously.

Application Process

Farmers interested in applying can do so online by following these steps:

1. Visit the official website: agrimachinery.nic.in.
2. Select the appropriate option from the registration dropdown menu.
3. Complete the form with all required details and submit your registration.

Official Source

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