Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
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Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

SYLLABUS

GS-3: E-technology in the aid of farmers; Technology Missions.

Context: The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is witnessing a rapid expansion across the country, enhancing farmers’ access to modern agricultural machinery and improving farm productivity and efficiency.  

More on the News

  • Since its launch, SMAM has emerged as a key intervention for promoting inclusive farm mechanization, particularly among small and marginal farmers and other underserved groups.
  • The scheme has significantly expanded mechanization infrastructure through Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs) and Hi-Tech Hubs, improving access to farm equipment on a shared basis.
  • Recent efforts under the scheme have also focused on promoting drone-based and precision agriculture technologies to modernize Indian farming.

About the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

  • Launched in 2014–15, the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
    • For most states, the funding pattern is 60:40, while for North-Eastern and Himalayan states, it is 90:10. UTs get 100% central assistance.
  • It seeks to promote farm mechanization across the country, particularly among farmers with limited access to modern agricultural machinery and equipment.
  • The scheme follows a “reach the unreached” approach to make mechanization affordable, accessible and inclusive.
  • Objectives:
    • Increase the reach of farm mechanization, particularly among small and marginal farmers and in regions with low farm power availability.
    • Improve productivity, operational efficiency and timeliness of farm operations through adoption of modern machinery.
    • Reduce labour drudgery and cultivation costs while promoting post-harvest management and sustainable agriculture.
  • Focus Areas
    • Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization: Supports training, demonstrations, testing and post-harvest mechanization to improve adoption of modern farm technologies.
    • Financial Assistance for Agricultural Machinery: Provides DBT-based subsidies for machinery purchase, with higher support for SC/ST farmers, small and marginal farmers and beneficiaries in the North-East.
    • Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) and Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs): Facilitates shared access to agricultural equipment through institutional models, making mechanization affordable for farmers who cannot purchase machinery individually.
    • Hi-Tech and High-Productivity Equipment Hubs: Promotes access to advanced, high-capacity and crop-specific machinery for precision and efficient farm operations.
    • Special Focus on North-Eastern Region (NER): Provides enhanced financial support and region-specific interventions to address mechanization gaps and improve access to modern farm equipment in the North-East.

Key Achievements under SMAM

  • Since inception, central assistance of ₹9,404.47 crore has supported the distribution of 21.61 lakh agricultural machines to farmers across the country.
  • The scheme has established 27,554 CHCs, 25,608 FMBs and 646 Hi-Tech Hubs, while the number of individual beneficiaries increased from 2.07 lakh (2020–21) to 2.32 lakh (2024–25).
  • Under the promotion of agricultural drones, 40,928 demonstrations covering 40,918 hectares have been conducted, supporting the adoption of precision agriculture.

Need for Mechanization in Indian Agriculture

  • Low Level of Farm Mechanization: Farm mechanization in India is estimated at around 47–48%, indicating significant scope for improving productivity and efficiency in agriculture.
  • Small and Fragmented Landholdings: With over 86% of operational holdings belonging to small and marginal farmers, shared-access models such as CHCs and FMBs are essential for ensuring affordable access to machinery.
  • Labour Shortages and Rising Costs: Increasing rural labour shortages and rising wage costs have made mechanization critical for timely agricultural operations and reducing dependence on manual labour.
  • Need for Precision and Sustainable Agriculture: Adoption of modern machinery, including drones and precision farming tools, is increasingly necessary for efficient input use, climate-resilient agriculture and reduction of post-harvest losses.

Challenges

  • Regional Disparities in Mechanization: Mechanization levels remain uneven across states, with eastern and north-eastern regions lagging behind agriculturally advanced states such as Punjab and Haryana.
  • Affordability and Technology Barriers: High machinery costs and limited technical capacity continue to constrain adoption of advanced equipment such as drones and precision farming tools.
  • Inadequate Support Infrastructure: Gaps in repair facilities, skilled operators, extension services and post-harvest mechanization infrastructure constrain the effective and widespread use of farm machinery.

Way Ahead

  • Expand Shared Mechanization Infrastructure: Scale up CHCs, FMBs and Hi-Tech Hubs, particularly in regions with low mechanization levels, to provide affordable access to modern machinery.
  • Promote Precision and Digital Agriculture: Promote drones, precision agriculture and other advanced technologies through targeted incentives and capacity building.
  • Strengthen Support for Small and Marginal Farmers: Enhance credit access, subsidy delivery and FPO-based mechanization models to make advanced equipment more affordable and accessible.
  • Focus on Regional and Capacity Building Gaps: Prioritise mechanization in eastern and north-eastern India while strengthening training, maintenance services and rural technical support systems for sustainable adoption.
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