About
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) in 2014–15 to promote the use of modern equipment in farming. Under this scheme, farmers in most states can get a 40–50% subsidy on buying agricultural machinery. However, in the North Eastern Region (NER) states, the support is more generous—100% subsidy, but limited to ₹1.25 lakh per farmer.
To make things easier, the ministry has also created a multilingual mobile app called ‘CHC-Farm Machinery’. This app helps farmers find and connect with Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) near them, where they can rent farm machines instead of buying them. This is especially helpful for small and marginal farmers who can’t afford to own expensive equipment.
Aim’s and Objective
The government is working to expand farm mechanization, especially for small and marginal farmers and in remote or tough-to-reach areas where access to modern farm equipment is limited.
- Set up Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) and Hi-tech Hubs for advanced machines. This helps farmers rent costly machinery instead of buying it, which is especially useful because most farmers in India have small and scattered plots and can’t afford expensive equipment.
- Spread awareness among farmers and other stakeholders by holding demonstrations, training, and capacity-building activities so they can learn how to use the machines effectively.
- Ensure quality and safety by testing and certifying farm equipment through designated centres across the country so that farmers get reliable and well-performing machines.
Components of SMAM
The government is taking several steps to promote and strengthen agricultural mechanization so that modern tools and machines reach more farmers in an effective and practical way. Here’s what they’re doing in simple terms:
1. Training, Testing, and Demonstration
This part focuses on:
- Testing the performance of farm machines to make sure they work well and are safe.
- Training farmers and users so they know how to operate and maintain the equipment properly.
- Demonstrating machines in the field to show farmers how they can help improve productivity and reduce labour.
2. Post-Harvest Technology and Management (PHTM)
This initiative aims to:
- Promote the use of technology for basic processing and value addition to crops after harvest.
- Encourage scientific, low-cost storage and transport of produce to reduce losses.
- Support the management of crop by-products in an eco-friendly way, reducing waste.
3. Financial Support for Buying Machinery
- Farmers can get financial assistance to help them buy agricultural machines and tools.
- This support is given as per defined norms, making it easier for farmers to own equipment that can boost their productivity and efficiency.
Together, these efforts are meant to make farming easier, more efficient, and more profitable for farmers across the country.
Conclusion
The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is a crucial initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare that addresses one of the core needs of Indian agriculture—mechanization for all, especially for small and marginal farmers. By offering financial support, promoting Custom Hiring Centres, encouraging training and demonstrations, and ensuring access to post-harvest technologies, SMAM is helping bridge the gap between traditional and modern farming.
With focused efforts on affordability, accessibility, and awareness, the mission is not only improving farm productivity and efficiency but also reducing farmers’ dependency on manual labor and outdated practices. In the long run, this mission is playing a vital role in modernizing Indian agriculture, enhancing income generation, and contributing to the overall sustainability of the farm sector.
