Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation' (SMAM)

Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation' (SMAM)

• The Centre has released $553 crore to States under a scheme to promote mechanization in the agriculture sector. 
• The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) was introduced in April 2014 with an aim to have inclusive growth of farm mechanization to boost productivity. 
• Agricultural mechanization helps in increase in production through timely farm operations and cut in operations by ensuring better management of inputs. Individual farmers are also provided a subsidy for the procurement of machinery.
• National Mission on Agricultural Extension & Technology (NMAET), launched during the 12th plan period (2012 to 2017) .... and still continuing, consists of 4 Sub Missions:

1.Sub Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE): 

• The adoption of quality seeds is the most cost-effective means of increasing agricultural production and productivity. Agri Clinics, Agribusiness centers, Kisan Call Centres will be used for providing extension services.

2.Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP): 

• The Sub-Mission will cover the entire gamut of seed chain from nucleus seed to supply to farmers for sowing. SMSP also envisages strengthening of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) in order to put in place an effective system for the protection of plant varieties, rights of farmers and plant breeders and to encourage the development of new varieties of plants.

3.Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM): 

• There is a strong correlation between farm power availability and agricultural productivity. Therefore, Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization focuses on farm mechanization. The Sub-Mission will mainly cater to the needs of the small and marginal farmers and to the regions where availability of farm power is low to offset the adverse economies of scale and high cost of individual ownership through institutional arrangements such as Custom Hiring Centres, mechanization of selected villages, subsidy for procurement of machines & equipment, etc.

4.Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPP): 

• The mission envisages an increase in agricultural production by keeping the crop disease-free using scientific and environment-friendly techniques through the promotion of Integrated Pest Management.

What are 'Custom Hiring Centres (CHC)'?

• CHCs are basically a unit comprising a set of farm machinery, implements, and equipment meant for custom hiring by farmers on the rental basis who could not afford to purchase the high-end agriculture types of machinery and equipment.  Govt. through SMAM is providing funds/subsidy to Rural level entrepreneurs, SHGs, etc. to set up CHCs. 
• The farm power (equipment/machinery) availability for small/marginal land holdings is the lowest in the country which is affecting the productivity of agriculture and farmers' income. As the small/marginal farmers constitute 86%, the potential for CHC, which will cater to the farm machinery requirement, is quite huge in India.  The Sub Mission on Agricultural Machinery (SMAM) is one such initiative towards the objective.

Source: The Hindu