Punjab Agriculture Minister Urges Farmers to Apply for Subsidised Machines for Crop Diversification

In an effort to boost diversification and mechanization in agriculture, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, the Agriculture Minister of Punjab, has encouraged farmers to take advantage of subsidies provided under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) scheme.

Khudian emphasized the potential for increased income through the use of modern agricultural equipment and urged farmers to apply for the subsidies before the deadline of July 20.

Farmers in Punjab can conveniently apply for the subsidies online through the agriculture department's portal, 'agrimachinerypb.com.' The subsidies are available for a range of agricultural machines, including paddy transplanters, direct-seeded rice drills, automatic or semi-automatic potato planters, tractor-operated boom sprayers, PTO-operated bund formers, oil mills, mini-processing plants, and nursery seeders.

To obtain further information about the scheme, farmers are advised to contact the toll-free number 1800-180-1551 or visit the agriculture offices in their respective districts. Khudian emphasized the importance of adopting mechanization, as it not only leads to increased income for farmers but also promotes water-saving techniques, crop diversification, and the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the agricultural sector.

Recognizing the significance of transparency, the agriculture minister directed department officials to ensure that the entire process is conducted with complete transparency. This measure aims to instil confidence among farmers and eliminate any concerns about favouritism or unfair practices.

The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) scheme is part of the government's broader efforts to modernize and transform the agricultural sector. By providing subsidies on agricultural machines, the scheme aims to improve productivity, reduce labor-intensive practices, and encourage farmers to adopt sustainable and efficient farming methods.