1. Scheme Information
- Scheme Nature: This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that provides financial assistance (subsidy) to farmers for purchasing modern agricultural machinery and equipment. (It typically has a 60% share from the Central Government and a 40% share from the State Government).
- Objectives:
- To promote agricultural mechanization in farming.
- To encourage the use of modern machinery in the production process.
- To save farmers’ time and labor, thereby increasing productivity and profitability.
- Subsidy: Subsidies ranging from 40% to 50% are provided on various agricultural tools and equipment (such as Tractors, Power Tillers, Rotavators, Seed Drills, Threshers, Sprayers, etc.). The subsidy rate is 50% for marginal/small/women/SC/ST farmers and 40% for other beneficiaries.
- Eligibility:
- The farmer must be a permanent resident of Maharashtra.
- The farmer must own land in their name (7/12 and 8-A extract required).
- A farmer who has availed the benefit for a specific item/equipment cannot apply for the same item again for the next 10 years, but they can apply for other items.
2. How to Apply (Application Process)
The application for the scheme must be made online through the MahaDBT portal.
- Website: \text{[https://mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in/](https://mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in/)}
- Application Steps:
- Visit the Portal: Go to the MahaDBT Farmer Schemes portal.
- Registration: If you are a new farmer, click on the ‘New Applicant Registration’ option and create your account (User Name and Password). Your Aadhaar card is mandatory for this.
- Login: Log in to the portal using your created User Name and Password.
- Scheme Selection: After logging in, select the ‘Farmer Schemes’ option.
- Sub-Mission Selection: From the list of schemes, select the component ‘Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization’ (SMAM).
- Fill the Form: Accurately fill in the personal information, address, bank details, and the details of the agricultural equipment/machinery you require.
- Upload Documents: Scan and upload the required documents (e.g., Aadhaar Card, 7/12 Extract, 8-A Extract, Caste Certificate (if applicable), Equipment Quotation/Testing Report, etc.).
- Application Fee: Pay the online application fee (₹ 23.60) and Submit the application.
- Selection: Beneficiary selection is done through an online lottery system. Once selected, you will be issued a Pre-Sanction letter.
- Help: If you face any difficulty during the application process, you can contact a Common Service Center (CSC), the Sangram Centre in your Gram Panchayat, or the Taluka Agriculture Officer.
