Sub-Mission On Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
Source: PIB
GS III: Agriculture, e-technology in the aid of farmer.
Overview
- News in Brief
- Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
- Significance of SMAM
- Challenges
- Way Forward & Conclusion
Why in the News?
The Government of India recently highlighted the achievements of the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), including expansion of farm mechanization, promotion of drone-based agriculture, and increased access to agricultural machinery for small and marginal farmers.
News in Brief
- SMAM was launched in 2014-15 under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and aims to improve farm productivity through affordable access to agricultural machinery.
- The scheme gives special emphasis to small and marginal farmers, women farmers, SC/ST farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and farmers in North-Eastern and other difficult regions.
- Since its inception, the scheme has significantly expanded access to agricultural machinery through Central financial assistance, promoting farm mechanization across the country.
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
- The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
- Aims to boost farm productivity by providing subsidies ranging from 40% to 80% on agricultural equipment, tractors, and post-harvest machinery.
Key Objectives
- Bring modern farm machinery to small, poor farmers and areas that lack farm power.
- Promote Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs).
- These are local rental hubs.
- They let farmers borrow expensive equipment without buying it.
- Create centers for high-value and advanced farm tools, such as agricultural drones.
- Build farmer skills through hands-on training and equipment demonstrations.
- Promotes performance testing at designated institutes and capacity building for rural farmers.
Key Features
- Provides 50% of the equipment cost for SC/ST, small/marginal, and women farmers; and 40% for other farmers.
- Financial assistance to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and entrepreneurs to set up local rental hubs for expensive machinery.
- Test and certify farm tools at official centers to make sure they work well.
Significance of SMAM
- The scheme builds Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), a shared equipment hubs, which lets small farmers rent tractors and harvesters instead of buying them.
- It gives priority to women farmers and underserved tribal or hilly regions.
- Machines do the work much faster than manual labor. This helps farmers plant and harvest at the best exact times, increasing overall profit.
- SMAM supports the use of Kisan Drones for precision spraying. This saves water, fertilizer, and chemical costs.
Challenges
- Fields are often too small or oddly shaped for large machines to work easily.
- It can be hard to find a mechanic or spare parts in remote rural areas when machines break down.
- Even with government subsidies, buying and maintaining advanced machinery is still too expensive for many poor farmers.
- Some states are highly mechanized, while others lag far behind due to a lack of equipment awareness and dealer networks.
Way Forward & Conclusion
Expand Custom Hiring Centres, strengthen FPO-led mechanization, and promote AI, drones, and smart farming technologies to ensure affordable and inclusive access to modern agricultural equipment.
By improving farmer awareness, skill development, and private sector participation, SMAM can accelerate sustainable agricultural growth, enhance productivity, and contribute to the vision of a self-reliant and technology-driven agricultural sector.
Key Takeaways
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UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
With reference to the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), consider the following statements:
- It was launched in 2014-15 under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
- It promotes the establishment of Custom Hiring Centres and Farm Machinery Banks.
- The scheme is implemented only in North-Eastern States.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Mains Practice Question
Q. “Farm mechanization is essential for achieving sustainable agricultural growth in India.” Discuss. (250 Words)
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