Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) was launched in 2014–15 to promote the adoption of farm mechanization across India and enhance agricultural productivity.

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
• The scheme aims to “reach the unreached” by extending the benefits of mechanization to small and marginal farmers, including women farmers, Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and rural entrepreneurs.
• A key component of the scheme is the establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), where farmers can rent agricultural machinery and equipment at affordable rates instead of purchasing them.
• SMAM also supports the establishment of Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs) to facilitate custom hiring services, particularly for resource-poor farmers.
• The scheme promotes training, testing, demonstration, and post-harvest mechanization to improve awareness and the efficient use of agricultural machinery.
• It provides financial assistance for the procurement of agricultural machinery and equipment by eligible beneficiaries.
• SMAM also encourages the establishment of Hi-Tech and High-Productivity Equipment Hubs to promote the use of advanced agricultural technologies.
• Special emphasis is placed on promoting farm mechanization in the North Eastern Region (NER) to address regional disparities in agricultural development.
• The scheme also supports the distribution of modern farm machinery and the development of infrastructure for high-value agricultural equipment.

About Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

• The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) was launched in 2007 to encourage States to increase public investment in agriculture and allied sectors.
• The scheme provides flexibility and autonomy to States to design and implement agriculture projects based on their local priorities and requirements.
• In 2017–18, RKVY was restructured as RKVY-RAFTAAR (Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation).
• Under RKVY-RAFTAAR, greater emphasis was placed on strengthening pre-harvest and post-harvest infrastructure, promoting agricultural value addition, innovation, agribusiness, and improving farmers’ income.

Source: PIB

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