Centre Expands Farm Mechanisation Push With Support for 21.6 Lakh Agricultural Machines

Farm mechanisation is becoming increasingly important as agriculture faces rising labour shortages and higher cultivation costs. However, purchasing modern farm equipment remains difficult for many small and marginal farmers because of its high upfront cost. To bridge this gap, the Centre is expanding support for farm machinery under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), making modern equipment more accessible across the country.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the scheme has supported the distribution of 21.61 lakh agricultural machines since its launch with financial assistance of ₹9,404.47 crore. The programme focuses on increasing mechanisation among small farmers, women farmers and growers in the North-Eastern states while promoting Custom Hiring Centres that allow farmers to rent machinery instead of purchasing it.

Small Farmers Gain Access to Modern Machines

Most Indian farmers cultivate less than two hectares of land, making it difficult to invest in expensive machinery such as tractors, planters and harvesters.

Under SMAM, eligible farmers receive financial assistance to purchase farm equipment, while Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives and entrepreneurs can establish Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) that rent machinery on an hourly or acreage basis. This model improves access to modern equipment without requiring every farmer to become an owner.

The scheme covers a wide range of equipment, including seed drills, planters, rotavators, laser land levellers, happy seeders, reapers, power weeders and crop residue management machines. Timely access to these tools helps farmers complete sowing, weeding and harvesting operations more efficiently while reducing dependence on manual labour.

Mechanisation is no longer limited to tractors and harvesters. The government has also promoted precision agriculture through drone demonstrations.

Official data show that more than 40,900 drone demonstrations covering nearly 40,918 hectares have been supported under the programme. These demonstrations help farmers understand how drones can be used for pesticide spraying, nutrient application and crop monitoring, reducing labour requirements while improving input efficiency.

The ministry says expanding mechanisation is essential for improving farm productivity, reducing production costs and encouraging the adoption of modern agricultural technologies across different cropping systems.

Custom Hiring Centres Are Changing Rural Mechanisation

One of the biggest strengths of SMAM is the promotion of Custom Hiring Centres.

Instead of purchasing costly equipment, farmers can rent machines only when required. This approach increases machinery utilisation, reduces idle time and creates new business opportunities for rural entrepreneurs, FPOs and cooperative societies. It also enables small farmers to use advanced machines that would otherwise be beyond their financial reach.

The government has placed special emphasis on expanding these centres in underserved regions where mechanisation levels remain relatively low. This is expected to improve agricultural productivity while making technology more inclusive.

Mechanisation plays a critical role in increasing agricultural productivity and addressing labour shortages during peak farming seasons.

States with intensive cultivation such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana are expected to benefit from greater access to modern machinery. At the same time, increased support for North-Eastern states and smallholders will help reduce regional disparities in mechanisation.

As more farmers gain access to affordable machinery through subsidies and rental services, India is expected to move towards faster, more efficient and climate-smart farming. The continued expansion of mechanisation, combined with digital technologies and precision agriculture, is likely to play a key role in improving farm productivity and strengthening the country’s agricultural sector.