Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization: mission to boost productivity

The Indian government established a Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) It is a critical mission to boost productivity on limited land in order to fulfil increased demand due to population expansion and higher wealth. Given that India only accounts for 2.4 percent of the world’s geographical area and 4% of its water resources, but needs to support 17 percent of the world’s human population and 15% of the world’s cattle, the mission is more important to India than to the rest of the world.

Following are the objectives:

I). Expanding the reach of agricultural mechanisation to small and marginal farmers, as well as to areas where farm power is scarce;

(ii) promoting ‘Custom Hiring Centres’ to compensate for the unfavourable economies of scale caused by small landholdings and high individual ownership costs;

(iii) Establishing high-tech and high-value farm equipment centres;

(iv) Raising stakeholder awareness through demonstration and capacity-building initiatives;

(v) ensuring performance testing and certification at specified testing sites across the country.

The Mission will use the following strategies to attain the above goals:

I). Perform performance testing for various farm machinery and equipment at the four Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institutes (FMTTIs), designated State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), and ICAR institutions;

(ii) Promote farm mechanisation among stakeholders through on- and off-field training and demonstrations.

(iii) Assist farmers in purchasing farm machinery and implements by providing financial support.

(iv) Create custom-hiring centres for farm machinery and implements based on area and crop.

(v) Provide financial assistance to small and marginal farmers in low-mechanized areas to hire machinery and tools.

Components:-

Agricultural Mechanization Promotion and Strengthening through Training, Testing, and Demonstration: Aims to assure performance testing of agricultural machinery and equipment, capacity building of farmers and end users, and farm mechanisation promotion through demonstrations.

Post-Harvest Technology and Management (PHTM) Demonstration, Training, and Distribution: Aims to popularise technology for primary processing, value addition, low-cost scientific storage/transport, and crop by-product management through demonstrations and farmer and end-user capacity building. Provides financial support for the establishment of PHT units.

Financial Aid for Agriculture Machinery and Equipment Procurement: Promotes ownership of various agricultural machinery and equipment according to assistance guidelines.

Establish Farm Machinery Banks for Custom Hiring: Assists in the establishment of Farm Machinery Banks for Custom Hiring in appropriate areas and crops.

Establish a High-Tech, High-Productive Equipment Hub for Custom Hiring: Provides financial help for the establishment of high-tech machinery hubs for high-value crops such as sugarcane, cotton, and other similar crops.

Farm Mechanization Promotion in Selected Villages: Provides financial assistance to promote applicable technology and establish Farm Machinery Banks in identified villages throughout the states.

Acre of financial assistance for the promotion of mechanised operations Beneficiaries who hire machinery/equipment from custom hiring centres in low mechanised areas receive financial help on a per acre basis.

Promotion of Farm Machinery and Equipment in the North-Eastern Region: Provides financial assistance to beneficiaries in north-eastern states with high potential but poor mechanisation.

Eligibility requirements for the SMAM Scheme

To be eligible for the SMAM Kisan Yojana 2022, you must be a farmer with a yearly income of less than 2 lakh (Family Income), and your name must be on the ration card and Aadhaar card. This programme is also available to female farmers (Family Income Should Be Less Than 2 Lakh). The government has established several direct portals for all applications and systems, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Agriculture Mechanization Department of Agriculture, and others.

Note: If the farmer’s family includes any government employees, this scheme is not available to them (Because of the Family Yearly Income).

Documents required to apply for SMAM-

• A recent passport-size photo is requested as part of the application process.
• A photograph of your field/ground with a government-verified signature.
• Photocopy of the original Aadhaar card.
• The applicant’s current bank account.
• PAN card, passport, driver’s licence, Aadhaar card, etc.
• Country Wright’s record.
• Finally, your caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC) is required.
• Certificate of residence/Domicile

How to Apply for the SMAM Scheme: 

• Go to official website, https://agrimachinery.nic.in
• On the top page, you’ll notice five options, one of which is a vote, such as > “Farmer.”
• A new window would appear after that, asking for your state and Aadhaar number.
• Fill out the form completely and click the “Submit” button.
• Now input your personal information as well as your address.

It’s best to fill out the form correctly, including the district, block, village, Aadhaar card number, caste category, and farming capacity.

Also read: Venture Capital Assistance: A financial aid for agriprenures