How is the Custom Hiring Scheme Supporting Small Farmers in Shahdol?

Shahdol (Madhya Pradesh), May 3 (NationPress) The Custom Hiring Scheme, initiated as part of the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) by the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is revolutionizing rural farming and empowering small-scale farmers throughout India. In the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh, this program has emerged as a transformative initiative, significantly enhancing productivity while creating new opportunities for self-employment and income generation.

This initiative provides farmers with access to advanced agricultural machinery. These machines can be utilized on their own farms or rented out, facilitating additional income streams. The government offers a subsidy of up to 40 percent on machinery purchases along with interest rebates of up to 3 percent, which greatly alleviates the financial strain on small and marginal farmers.

The scheme aims to promote mechanized farming and generate employment opportunities for rural youth, specifically targeting unemployed farmers between the ages of 18 to 40 who have completed Class 12.

As stated by R.K. Pyasi, Assistant Agricultural Engineer in Shahdol, applications can be submitted online via the Agriculture Directorate's portal, with beneficiaries chosen through a lottery system. Selected candidates then undergo a five-day training in Bhopal or Budhni, focusing on the operating and maintenance of farm machinery.

“Post-training, farmers buy the equipment and, after undergoing physical verification, receive their subsidy. Essential machinery includes tractors, cultivators, rotavators, ploughs, and threshers, while optional tools like happy seeders, super seeders, paddy transplanters, reapers, and harvesters may also be acquired,” explained Pyasi.

To date, 52 Custom Hiring Centres have been established in Shahdol, with annual applications invited from villages lacking such centers.

The objective is to ensure community-wide benefits, allowing farmers to utilize machinery for their own fields and assist fellow villagers, thus enhancing overall agricultural output. Rental income can also support farmers in repaying loans and expanding their agribusiness.

Seema Baiga, a recipient from Nargi village, recounted her experience: “I discovered the scheme through the radio. I applied online via MP Online and was selected through a lottery. After training, I acquired a tractor, cultivator, and plough, and obtained a subsidy of Rs 6.86 lakh. These machines have boosted my productivity and increased my income through rentals.”

In a similar vein, Neeraj Singh Parmar from Dulhara village shared, “I learned about this from a news article and applied. After training, I bought the equipment and am eligible for a subsidy of Rs 8 lakh. Farming was tough without machinery, but now everything is done on time, and renting the equipment brings extra income.”

Both farmers expressed their appreciation to the government led by PM Modi for launching a scheme that has significantly improved their livelihoods and strengthened the foundation of rural India.