Gujarat hikes Sanedo farm vehicle subsidy to ₹75,000 under Kisan Parivahan Yojana
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Gujarat government has significantly raised the subsidy available for the purchase of 'Sanedo' agricultural utility vehicles under the Kisan Parivahan Yojana, more than doubling the cap for general-category farmers and providing enhanced support for marginalised groups. The revision, announced on Tuesday, 19 May, is aimed at lowering transport costs for farmers and strengthening the movement of agricultural produce in rural and remote parts of the state.
What Changed in the Subsidy Structure
Under the revised scheme, farmers in the general category will now receive a 40 per cent subsidy on the vehicle's total cost, capped at ₹60,000 — up from the earlier ceiling of ₹25,000. For Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers, as well as small, marginal, and women farmers, the subsidy has been raised to 50 per cent of the total cost, with a maximum payout of ₹75,000.
What Is the 'Sanedo' Vehicle
The Sanedo — formally called the Ride On Self-Propelled Multipurpose Tool Bar — is a three-wheeled agricultural utility vehicle widely used by small and medium farmers, particularly in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Officials noted that the vehicle serves multiple agricultural functions beyond transport, making it a versatile asset for farm operations.
What the Government Said
State Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani said the subsidy hike followed repeated representations from farmers and agricultural groups. 'The state government has positively considered the representations received from farmers and various stakeholders and decided to increase the subsidy available for the purchase of Sanedo vehicles,' Vaghani said while announcing the revised assistance structure. He added that the revision is expected to help farmers transport produce to markets more efficiently and reduce logistics expenses.
Key Conditions for Beneficiaries
The subsidy is available only once in seven years per eligible beneficiary. The purchased vehicle must be tested by a Central government-recognised institution and registered on the i-Khedut portal. Farmers are restricted from selling the vehicle within two years of purchase, and modifications for passenger transport are not permitted. The scheme also limits vehicle use strictly to the transportation of agricultural produce.
Reaction and What Comes Next
Farmer groups and agricultural organisations have welcomed the decision, with several thanking Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and Agriculture Minister Vaghani for revising the structure. This comes amid a broader push by the Gujarat government to improve rural agricultural infrastructure and reduce the cost burden on small farmers. The revision is expected to drive fresh registrations on the i-Khedut portal in the coming weeks.