Apr 01:The adoption of modern machines and equipment by the farmers depends on various factors such as socioeconomic conditions, geographical conditions, crops are grown, irrigation facilities, etc. However, the Government of India supports and facilitates the State Governments through various Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Schemes to promote agriculture throughout the country and infuse modern technologies into the agriculture sector. For the promotion of agricultural mechanization in the country, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme βSub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is being implemented through the State Governments w.e.f. 2014-15, with the major objectives of increasing the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions where availability of farm power is low and promoting βCustom Hiring Centresβ to offset the adverse economies of scale arising due to small landholding and high cost of individual ownership.
In order to make machines and equipment affordable to the farmers, financial assistance @ 40% to 50% of the cost depending on the categories of farmers, is provided under SMAM for the purchase of agricultural machines. Financial assistance @ 40% of the project cost is also provided to rural youth & farmers as an entrepreneur, Cooperative Societies of Farmers, Registered Farmers Societies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and Panchayats for the establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) and Hi-tech hubs of high-value agricultural machines. Financial assistance @ 80% of the project cost for the projects costing up to Rs. 10 Lakhs is provided to the Cooperative Societies, Registered Farmer Societies, FPOs, and Panchayats for setting up of village-level Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs). The rate of financial assistance for the North Eastern States for the establishment of FMBs is @95% of the project cost for projects costing up to Rs. 10 lakhs.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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