Under the Farm Mechanization Umbrella Scheme, the “Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)” scheme was introduced in 2023 and will continue into 2024-25 in West Bengal (except Kolkata district). The scheme’s objective is to create employment opportunities for rural youth and entrepreneurs by establishing hubs for farm machinery. It aims to:
• Promote self-employment among rural youth and entrepreneurs.
• Facilitate end-to-end utilization of farm machinery—from land development to residue management—making modern technology accessible to small and marginal farmers at reasonable charges.
• Offset the high cost of owning farm machinery for small holdings.
• Support the setting up of primary processing units (e.g., dal mills, oil mills, grinding machinery) and seed processing units.
• Increase farm power availability from 2.30 KW/ha to 2.50 KW/ha, as envisioned by the Government of India.
A list of eligible machinery and implements is provided in Annexure-IV-A on the departmental portal. While the list is indicative, non-listed machinery may also be considered per the latest SMAM guidelines with SPMT approval. For primary processing units, applicants must opt for machinery with a minimum project cost of ₹10,00,000. Ancillary costs (open shed, AMC, insurance) are subject to limits: open shed cost is capped at 5% of the TFO, and total ancillary costs must not exceed 10% of the TFO.
Benefits
• Subsidy: 80% of the Total Financial Outlay (TFO) is subsidized, subject to a maximum of ₹8,00,000.
– TFO includes: Indicative cost of machinery + cost of shed + AMC + insurance.
• The beneficiary bears the remaining amount of the TFO.
• A minimum TFO of ₹10,00,000 is required.
• Margin Money: The applicant must deposit a minimum of 25% of the TFO with a financing bank; the remaining amount is provided as a bank loan.
• Subsidy is released as a back-ended subsidy through DBT to the subsidy reserve fund/loan account.
• Only machinery from approved manufacturers and dealers (as per the departmental portal) is eligible.
• A beneficiary or their spouse cannot reapply before 4 years from the last subsidy release.
Eligibility
• For Individuals:
– Must be a rural youth entrepreneur registered under the Krishak Bandhu (New) Scheme.
• For Groups:
– Groups such as SKUS, PACS, FPO, FPC, FIG, SHG, LAMPS, etc., approved or recognized by a government institution.
– The group must have been successfully operating for at least 1 year.
• Project Cost: The Total Financial Outlay must be a minimum of ₹10,00,000.
• Land: The applicant must have sufficient land (owned, leased, or hired) in a selected village; the land must be classified under “commercial or bastu or viti”.
• Age: Beneficiary must be at least 18 years old.
Exclusions
• Individuals (or their spouses) who have previously availed benefits under FSSM/OTA-SFI/FMB/CHC schemes are not eligible.
• Employees or retired employees of State Government, statutory bodies, government undertakings, panchayats, municipal bodies, or government-aided educational institutions are not eligible.
Application Process
Online
Registration Process:
• Step 1: Visit the official FMS portal and click on “New Registration”.
• Step 2: Fill in all mandatory details in the Applicant Registration form and click “Sign Up” after verification.
Application Submission:
• Step 1: Log in to the FMS portal using your Voter Card number, password, and select the appropriate season.
• Step 2: Fill in the mandatory fields in the application form.
• Step 3: After online submission, print the application along with the acknowledgement receipt, recent passport-size photograph, and all prescribed documents (self-attested).
• Step 4: Submit the hard copy to the office of the Deputy Director of Agriculture in the concerned district within the stipulated period.
• Step 5: You have a one-time edit option after online submission (before submitting the hard copy).
• Step 6: Note the unique serial number generated in your online application for future reference.
Helpline: 8336957298 (available from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Note: Online applications must be submitted through the Matirkatha/FMS portal following due advertisement in leading dailies and on the departmental website.
Documents Required
• Proforma Application Form (properly filled)
• Proof of Citizenship (EPIC)
• Krishak Bandhu ID Number
• Copy of Aadhaar Card
• PAN Card
• Proof of Financial Solvency (self-authenticated bank statement for the last six months)
• Title Deed/ROR (Records of Right) /Lease Certificate/Rent Receipt for the land
• Detailed Project Report for AIF (if applicable)
• Quotations
• Vetted plan and estimate for the shed for FMB/FMH (if applicable)
• Resolution of the organization regarding authorization of the signatory
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the objective of the scheme?
A: To create employment opportunities and promote self-employment among rural youth and entrepreneurs by setting up Farm Machinery Banks/Hubs that facilitate affordable access to farm machinery and support primary processing units.
Q: Which department has launched this scheme?
A: The scheme is launched under the Farm Mechanization Umbrella Scheme by the Directorate of Horticulture, Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Co-operation Department, Government of West Bengal.
Q: Who is eligible to apply under this scheme?
A:
– Individual rural youth entrepreneurs registered under the Krishak Bandhu (New) Scheme.
– Groups such as SKUS, PACS, FPO, FPC, FIG, SHG, LAMPS, etc., that have been operating for at least one year.
– Applicants must have sufficient land and a project cost of at least ₹10,00,000.
– The beneficiary must be at least 18 years old.
Q: How can beneficiaries avail of the scheme benefits?
A: Benefits are availed by applying online on the FMS portal, followed by submitting a hard copy of the application and documents to the concerned office.
Q: What is the process for availing the subsidy?
A: The subsidy, amounting to 80% of the Total Financial Outlay (subject to a maximum of ₹8,00,000), is released as a back-ended subsidy through DBT after the beneficiary deposits at least 25% of the TFO as margin money and obtains a bank loan for the remaining amount.
Q: Is there any fee or charge for the scheme?
A: The beneficiary bears the non-subsidized portion of the TFO, and there is no additional fee for availing the subsidy.
Q: Is there any age restriction?
A: Yes, the beneficiary must be at least 18 years old.
Q: Is there any priority for female applicants?
A: While the scheme does not specify a separate priority for female applicants, groups may include female entrepreneurs if recognized under the approved categories.
Q: Is there any income criterion for eligibility?
A: The scheme does not specify an income criterion; however, beneficiaries must demonstrate financial solvency as part of the application process.
Q: Are employees/retired employees of State Government or other institutions eligible?
A: No, such individuals are not eligible for this scheme.
Q: How will the subsidy be released to the beneficiary?
A: The subsidy is released through DBT directly to the bank account designated for the subsidy reserve fund/loan account.
Q: What is the pattern of assistance?
A: The scheme offers an 80% subsidy of the TFO, with the remaining amount to be financed by the beneficiary via a bank loan. Ancillary costs are capped, and the beneficiary must deposit a margin money of 25% of the TFO.