Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) Background: Since the scheme's inception, 21.61 lakh agricultural machines worth ₹9,404 crore have been provided to individual farmers across India. About the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Year of Launch: 2014–15 Scheme Type: Centrally sponsored scheme implemented under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Objectives To increase the use of agricultural machinery to enhance agricultural productivity. To reduce the strenuous physical labor of farmers and lower cultivation costs. To make modern agricultural machinery accessible to small and marginal farmers, women farmers, SC/ST farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and rural entrepreneurs. Key Features Financial Assistance Subsidies are provided to farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. General category farmers: 40% subsidy. SC/ST farmers, small and marginal farmers, and beneficiaries from the North-Eastern region: 50% subsidy. Support for Mechanized Services Small and marginal farmers are provided ₹2,000 per hectare to utilize mechanized farming services. This includes services provided through Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs), FPOs, SHGs, and drone-based agriculture. Machinery Centers Financial assistance is provided for setting up: Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) Farm Machinery Banks Hi-tech Equipment Centers These centers enable farmers to access modern agricultural machinery at affordable rates. Training and Demonstrations Farmers are provided training on the proper use of agricultural machinery. The scheme also supports: Machinery testing Field demonstrations Post-harvest mechanization Crop residue management Special Support for the North-Eastern Region Subsidies of up to 100% are provided for small agricultural machinery. Financial assistance of 95% is provided for setting up Custom Hiring Centres (Agricultural Machinery Banks). Support for Women Farmers To encourage the participation of women farmers in mechanized agriculture, 30% of the scheme's funds are earmarked for them. Promoting the Use of Kisan Drones Promotes the use of Kisan drones in agriculture. Up to…
NATIONAL SCHEMES
Modified UDAN Scheme Context: The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur airport and launched the modified UDAN Scheme. About Modified UDAN Scheme A key emphasis is on the development of 100 aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips, supported by an outlay of over Rs 12,000 crore, to expand aviation infrastructure across the country. Additionally, an investment of ₹3,661 crore will fund the creation of 200 modern helipads, and a continued Viability Gap Funding of ₹10,043 crore for airlines to sustain regional airline operations. The scheme promotes the induction of indigenous aircraft and helicopters, including HAL Dhruv and Dornier platforms, for operations in underserved and remote regions. About UDAN Scheme The Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme is a Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) launched in October 2016 by the Government of India to enhance air connectivity to underserved and unserved regions. Objectives: Improve regional connectivity across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Make air travel affordable for common citizens. Promote balanced regional development. Enhance the infrastructure utilisation of unused and underutilised airports. The mission has two parts. First, make air travel affordable on short regional sectors where train journeys take 10-18 hours. Second, revive unserved and underserved airports — places that had runways but no scheduled commercial flights. The first UDAN flight took off on 27 April 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi. Key Features: Airlines are selected through a competitive bidding mechanism. Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is provided to airlines to operate on less profitable routes. The Airports Authority of India has also waived off the airport fee for the same. At the same time, the state governments are also providing security, electricity, and fire-fighting facilities free of cost. 50% of seats are offered at a capped fare of around Rs. 2,500 per hour of flight. Focus on connecting…
