Lok Sabha Question No. 1582 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-12
Subject: Promoting Farm Mechanization
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Sougata Ray

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1582 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH  DECEMBER 2023

## PROMOTING FARM MECHANIZATION

1582.  PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ǒष एवं Ǒकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has any projects to promote Farm Mechanization, an  essential  component  in  the  growth  of  sustainable  agriculture  in  the country;
- (b)  if so, the details of the projects/schemes for the promotion of the same;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  for the  promotion  of automation technology in the farming sector;
- (d)  the  details  of  the  growth  of  farm  machinery  in  agriculture  sector  of  the country;
- (e)  whether  the  decrease  in  area  of  farming  causes  concern  of  using machinery in farming sector; and
- (f) if so, the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken for promotion of group farming in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ǒष एवं Ǒकसान कãयाण मंğी (SHRI ARJUN MUNDA)

(a)  to  (f):      The  adoption  of  farm  mechanization  by  the  farmers  depends  on various  factors  such  as  socio-economic  conditions,  geographical  conditions, crops grown, irrigation  facilities  etc.  Farm  mechanization  levels  assessed  by Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  for  major    cereals,  pulses, oilseeds,  millets  and  cash  crops  indicates  that  the  seedbed  preparation operation  is  highly  mechanized  (more  than  70%)  for  major  crops  whereas, harvesting and threshing operation is the least mechanized (lower than 32%) for  major  crops  except  for  rice  and  wheat  crops.  In  seedbed  preparation, mechanization level is higher in rice and wheat crops as compared to the other crops. However,  mechanization level for sowing operation is the  highest for wheat crop (65%).  The mechanization levels in planting/transplanting operation for  sugarcane  and  rice  crops  are  25%  and  35%,  respectively.  In  case  of harvesting and threshing, the mechanization levels in rice and wheat crops are more than 60% and very less in cotton crop.

The emphasis of the Government is always to promote farm mechanization for all section of the society with the aim 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  'Custom Hiring Centers' to offset  the adverse economies of scale arising due to small land holding and high cost of individual ownership.   A Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization' (SMAM) is being implemented through the State Governments w.e.f. 2014-15. Under this scheme, financial assistance @ 40% to  50%  of  the  cost  of  machines  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  entrepreneur, (Rural youth and farmer as  an  entrepreneur),  Cooperative  Societies  of  Farmers,  Self  Help  Groups (SHGs), Registered Farmers Societies,  Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Panchayats for establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) and Hitech 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 of farmers,  Registered Farmer Societies,  SHGs, 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 for the projects costing up to Rs. 10 lakhs. The major focus of the scheme is towards expanding the network for Custom Hiring Services of agricultural machines and equipments to increase utilization of  farm  power and  ensuring  availability  of  farm  equipment  and  machines  for small farms. Since inception of the scheme, funds amounting to Rs. 6748.78 Crores has been released.  The States have supplied more than 15.55 lakh machines and equipments to the farmers  on individual ownership basis  and more than 44,000  CHCs/Hi-tech Hubs/FMBs have been established in various States.

The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is also implementing Crop  Residue  Management  Scheme  from  2018-19    in  order  to  support  the efforts of the Governments of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi to address air pollution and to subsidize machinery required for management of crop residue.  The scheme promotes the usage of machines such as Super Straw  Management  Systems,  Happy  Seeder,  Super  Seeder,  Smart  Seeder, Surface Seeder, Zero Till Seed cum Fertilizer Drill, Mulcher, Shrub Master/Rotary Slasher, Paddy Straw Chopper, Hydraulically Reversible Mould Board Plough, Crop Reapers and Reaper Binders for in-situ management of paddy straw  and Balers & Straw Rakes for ex-situ management of paddy straw.

The  Government  has  recently  approved  Central  Sector  Scheme  for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores. The scheme aims to provide drones to 15000 selected Women SHGs  for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides).

The Government has launched the Central Sector Scheme  for 'Formation and  Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)' in the year 2020  to enable farmers to enhance their bargaining power, leverage economies of scale, reduce cost of production and enhance farmers' incomes through aggregation of their agricultural produce. As on 31.10.2023, under the said scheme, 7476 FPOs have been registered.

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