About Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization:
- It was launched in 2014–15.
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
- SMAM aims to “reach the unreached” by extending the benefits of mechanization to underserved sections.
- It includes small and marginal farmers, including women, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and rural entrepreneurs.
- It is designed to promote inclusive and efficient farm mechanization by improving access to modern agricultural equipment, reducing drudgery, and enhancing farm productivity.
- Features of Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization:
- The scheme promotes the establishment of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs).
- These are units comprising a set of farm machinery, implements, and equipment meant for hiring by farmers.
- It also supports the development of hubs for hi-tech and high-value agricultural equipment, and the distribution of farm machinery.
- It focuses on regions with low farm power availability and on addressing structural constraints such as small landholdings and high capital costs through affordable rental services via CHCs.
- It supports the performance testing and certification of agricultural machinery. Targeted Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities are undertaken to enhance adoption among stakeholders.
