Lok Sabha Question No. 2105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-15
Subject: Reducing Agricultural Costs
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Pushpendra Singh Chandel, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2105 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH MARCH 2022

## REDUCING AGRICULTURAL COSTS

## 2105.SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGHCHANDEL: SHRIMATI MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH:

Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष  एवं  कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken rationalmeasures to increase the use of technology in agricultureand to reduce agricultural cost;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  is  emphasizing  onconcerted  policy  efforts  with  all  the stakeholders  topromote  agricultural  techniques  including  drone  toimprove  the  supply chain; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a)  to  (d):Government  of  India  supports  and  facilitates  the  State  Governments  through many Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Schemes to promote agriculture throughout the  country  and  to  help  farmers  to  gain  access  to  modern  agriculture  technology  for increasing agriculture production and productivity, improving utilization efficiency of inputs such  as seeds,  fertilizers and  irrigation  water,  besides  reducing  human  drudgery associated  with  various  agricultural  operations.    Keeping  in  view  the  vital  role  of agricultural mechanization to modernize agriculture,a Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'SubMission on Agricultural Mechanization' (SMAM) is being implemented through the State Governments  w.e.f.  2014-15,  with  major  the  objectives  of  increasing  the  reach  of  farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions where availability of farm power is low. Under this scheme, besides performance testing of agricultural machinery and equipment, capacity building of farmers & end users and promoting farm mechanization through  demonstrations, financial  assistance  @  40% to  50%  of  the  cost depending on the categories of farmers, is provided for purchase of agricultural machines. Financial assistance @ 40% of the project cost is also provided to rural youth & farmer as an  entrepreneur,  Cooperative  Societies  of  Farmers,  Registered  Farmers  Societies, Farmer  Producer  Organizations  (FPOs)  and  Panchayats  for  establishment  of  Custom

O.I.H

Hiring Centres and Hi-tech hubs of high value agricultural machines. Financial assistance @ 80% of the project cost for the projects costing upto 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 establishment of FMBs is @95% of the project cost. Looking into the unique advantages of Drone technologies in agriculture, the Department of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  has  released  the  Standard  Operating  Procedures (SOPs)  for  use  of  drones  in  pesticide  and  nutrient  application  in  public  domain  in December 2021, which provide concise instructions for effective and safe operations of drones. In order to make this technology affordable to the farmers and other stakeholders of  this  sector,  financial  assistance  @  100  %  cost  of  drone  together  with  the  contingent expenditure is extended under SMAM for its demonstration on the farmer's fields. In order to provide agricultural services through drone application, financial assistance @ 40% of the basic cost of drone and its attachments or Rs.4 lakhs, whichever less is also provided for drone purchase by existing and new Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) under Cooperative Society  of  Farmers,  Farmers  Producer  Organizations  (FPOs) and  Rural  entrepreneurs. The agriculture graduates establishing CHCs are eligible to receive financial assistance @

50% of the cost of drone or up to Rs.5.00 lakhs.

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