Parliamentary Panel Urges Centre to Boost Investment in Farm Mechanization for Small Farmers

A parliamentary standing committee on agriculture, animal husbandry, and food processing has emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in research and development (R&D) for farm mechanization, particularly focusing on small and marginal farmers. The committee stated that farm mechanization plays a critical role in enhancing agriculture production and productivity in the country.

Despite the importance of mechanization in agriculture, there has been a concerning decline in funds allocated for farm mechanization schemes. In the Fiscal Year 2023, the budget allocated for farm mechanization stood at ₹158.6 million (BE), compared to ₹217.7 million in 2019-20.

The committee highlighted that the agriculture department must approach the finance ministry to secure adequate funding for R&D in farm mechanization, given its significant impact on small and marginal farmers. It stressed that mechanization is vital for improving agricultural output and efficiency.

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Currently, India's overall agriculture mechanization level stands at 47%, lagging behind other developing countries such as China (59.5%) and Brazil (75%). The panel urged the agriculture ministry to aim for 75% farm mechanization within a shorter time frame than previously planned.

The committee's report highlighted the numerous benefits of agricultural mechanization, which includes savings in seed (15-20%), fertilizer (15-20%), improved germination rate (7-25%), time-saving (20-30%), weed control (20-40%), labor reduction (20-30%), increased cropping intensity (5-20%), and enhanced crop yields (13-23%).

It is worth noting that 86% of the total operational land holdings in India are classified as small and marginal farms, with less than 2 hectares of land. These farmers require special attention and support for successful mechanization.

Currently, the agriculture ministry provides subsidies of about 40-50% of the equipment cost to small and marginal farmers for the purchase of essential farm machinery like tractors, power tillers, combine harvesters, rotavators, and rice transplanters under the sub-mission on agricultural mechanization (SMAM). Since its inception in 2014-15, SMAM has distributed 14,24,179 machines with a total expenditure of ₹5,377.7 crore.

To address the challenges of small land holdings and high individual ownership costs, the parliamentary panel recommended promoting low-cost farm equipment.

Furthermore, the committee expressed concern over the limited availability of equipment and technology to farmers, considering the vast number of Indian peasantry. To overcome this, the agriculture department is advised to collaborate with other agencies at the district, block, and village levels to provide technological demonstrations to all farmers at the grassroots level.

In conclusion, the parliamentary panel's report highlights the critical role of farm mechanization in elevating agriculture productivity and urges the Centre to increase investments in R&D to support small and marginal farmers, thereby benefiting the entire agricultural sector and contributing to the country's economic growth.

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