Question:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) set up during the last three years in the
country under the Custom Hiring Center (CHC) Scheme, the details thereof, State-wise;
(b) the steps being taken by Government to make farmers aware of the importance of this
scheme;
(c) whether there is any plan proposed by Central Government to increase the number of
CHCs in the State of Haryana in view of the fact that Haryana is an agricultural State and
there is a huge requirement for such centres;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

Answer

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

(a) to (e): For promotion of agricultural mechanization in the country, a Centrally
Sponsored Scheme ‘Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization’ (SMAM) is being
implemented through the State Governments w.e.f. 2014-15, with the objectives of
increasing the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions
where availability of farm power is low; promoting ‘Custom Hiring Centres’ and ‘Hi-tech
Hubs of High Value Machines’ to offset the adverse economies of scale arising due to small
landholding and high cost of individual ownership; Creating awareness among stakeholders
through demonstration and capacity building activities and ensuring performance testing
and certification of agricultural machines at designated testing centers located all over the
country. Under the scheme, financial assistance @ 40% to 50% of the cost depending on
the categories of farmers is available for purchase of agricultural machines on individual
ownership basis. Financial assistance @ 40% of the project cost is also available to rural
youth & farmer as an entrepreneur, Cooperative Societies of Farmers, Registered Farmers
Societies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Panchayats for establishment of
Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) and Hi-tech hubs of high value agricultural machines.
Financial assistance @ 80% of the project cost for the projects costing upto Rs. 10 Lakhs
is available to the Cooperative Societies, Registered Farmer Societies, FPOs and
Panchayats for setting up of village level Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs). The rate of
financial assistance for the North Eastern States for establishment of FMBs is @95% of the
project cost. Awareness on the importance of SMAM are created through capacity building
and demonstration of new technology machines on the farmers’ fields conducted by the
Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institutes, institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Agricultural Universities (SAUs),
Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), State and other Central
Government Agricultural Institutions/Departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
of Government of India engaged in agricultural activities. The details of State-wise
number of CHCs/Hi-tech Hubs/FMBs established under SMAM during last three years
including in the State of Haryana are given in Annexure-I