Latest news with #SMAM
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
AP launches statewide farm machinery survey
Vijayawada: In a major step toward complete mechanisation of agriculture, the Andhra Pradesh govt is set to launch a state-level Farm Machinery Inventory Survey (FMIS) across all villages. The objective is to collect granular data on agricultural machinery owned by farmers, cooperatives, and private providers to streamline support and develop targeted plans for equipment supply. The survey will be conducted at the grassroots level by agricultural assistants at Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs) and is scheduled to be completed by Aug 31. Officials said it will cover farm equipment acquired both through subsidies and private investments, taking stock of ownership, usage patterns, condition, and technical specifications like make, model, and year of manufacture. Speaking to the media, director of agriculture S Dilli Rao explained, "This isn't a routine machinery count. We aim to assess equipment availability based on crop type, season, and village-specific needs. The insights will help create targeted budgets and ensure effective deployment of tools where they are needed most." The collected data will be integrated into the APAIMS 2.0 Farm Management Information System, a digital platform developed by Vassar Labs, enabling the govt to monitor availability, plan budgets and strengthen farm mechanisation programmes with better accuracy. The initiative is expected to serve multiple functions: identifying gaps in existing machinery, supporting Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), guiding redistribution of underutilised equipment and strengthening policy decisions on equipment subsidies. It will also align with national schemes like SMAM and PM-KISAN. Officials said the govt is also looking at expanding services such as real-time CHC bookings, payment tracking and introducing AI-powered crop advisory systems based on the FMIS data. There are also plans to scale up drone-based spraying solutions. District agricultural officers have been directed to ensure timely and accurate survey completion with the help of RSK staff. Streamlining support Statewide survey to map all farm machinery by Aug 31 Inputs to power AI advisory systems and CHC booking platforms Helps identify idle machinery for redistribution Digital planning via APAIMS 2.0 developed by Vassar Labs
New Indian Express
28-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
AP to launch statewide survey of farm machinery for digital upgrade
VIJAYAWADA: The Department of Agriculture, under the directives of the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is set to launch a comprehensive village-level survey of agricultural machinery across the State. The survey, to be completed by August 31, aims to assess the availability and utilisation of farming equipment to support tailored budget planning and resource allocation. It will be conducted by agricultural assistants at Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs) and will cover machinery owned by individual farmers, institutions, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), and private entities, regardless of whether the equipment was purchased with subsidies or independently. Speaking to the mediapersons, Agriculture Department Director S Dilli Rao said, 'This survey will evaluate the availability of agricultural machinery at the village level, based on crop patterns and seasonal requirements. Moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach, it will enable us to design budget plans aligned with specific village needs.' Key data points, including ownership, usage, and the condition of machinery, will be collected and integrated into the Farm Machinery Information System (FMIS) under the APAIMS 2.0 platform, developed by Wasserlabs. This digital integration will enhance planning, monitoring, and budget allocation processes. Key objectives of the survey include creating a digital inventory of machinery at individual, institutional, and RSK levels; identifying equipment needs based on crop seasons and agro-climatic conditions; linking data with Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) for better utilisation; identifying idle machinery for redistribution; supporting policies like subsidised machinery distribution; integrating with central schemes such as SMAM and PM-Kisan; and collecting data on machinery used for land prep, water management, spraying, harvesting, and post-harvest activities. The Director emphasised that the survey aligns with the Chief Minister's vision to integrate data with the e-CHC platform, enabling farmers to book machinery through a user-friendly, Uber-like system. The future Plans include integrating FMIS survey data with AI-based crop advisory systems, establishing real-time booking and payment tracking for CHC services, and promoting the expansion of drone-based spraying equipment. Describing the initiative as a 'futuristic digital agricultural plan,' Dilli Rao highlighted its role in optimising resource use and improving access to modern machinery for farmers.
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Agricultural tools worth Rs 60.53 crore disbursed to 25,192 farmers in Andhra Pradesh
VIJAYAWADA: In a significant step to enhance agricultural productivity, the State government disbursed farm machinery worth Rs 60.53 crore to 25,192 small and marginal farmers under the Farm Mechanisation Scheme 2024–25, offering a 50% subsidy. The initiative, aimed at empowering genuine cultivators, was formally launched in Amaravati on Wednesday with a ceremonial cheque release by Agriculture Director Dilli Rao. The distribution, in line with Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) norms, was conducted with strict transparency. Beneficiaries were chosen through the Karshak portal after verification using Webland and e-Crop data, while tribal farmers were verified via the Giri Bhoomi portal. Priority was given to those who hadn't received implements in the last five years. District Collectors oversaw the process across all districts. Equipment was handed over at Rythu Seva Kendras, with details displayed publicly. Rao thanked the Collectors and highlighted the programme's role in promoting farm mechanisation awareness statewide.
Hans India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Farmers cautioned against overuse of chemical fertilisers, pesticides
Nandyal: As part of the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM), district Collector G Rajakumari announced the release of Rs 1.99 crore in subsidies for the distribution of agricultural machinery to 964 eligible small and marginal farmers. Speaking at the distribution programme held at PGRS Hall in the Collectorate on Wednesday, she emphasised the government's commitment to promoting agricultural mechanisation for enhanced productivity and farmers welfare. Highlighting the significance of sustainable farming, she urged farmers to use water judiciously, especially in areas with abundant black soil and irrigation. She cautioned against overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, warning that it could deplete soil nutrients and reduce yields. Instead, she encouraged farmers to adopt organic practices, crop rotation, and mixed cropping to improve soil health and long-term productivity. She also recommended use of drones and technology in agriculture to save time and resources. In view of the ongoing cultivation of BPT Nandyal fine variety rice, the Collector advised farmers not to rush into selling their produce prematurely. She said the government has established 145 warehouses equipped with essential infrastructure to help farmers store their harvests until they can get better prices. Farmers were also encouraged to diversify crops based on climatic conditions, and she noted the success of exotic fruits like Miyazaki mangoes, which have thrived better in local conditions than in their native Japan. Plans are underway to establish cold storages and warehouses with support from NABARD and the Horticulture Department. Addressing the needs of tenant farmers, Rajakumari stated that out of one lakh tenant farmers in the district, 30,000 will be issued crop cultivator rights cards (CCRCs) this year, which remain valid for 11 months. She added that banks have been instructed to provide loans based on crop cultivation, and an additional 20% in loans will be sanctioned this year. With forecasts indicating higher rainfall, farmers were advised to stay informed about suitable cropping choices and avoid leaving fields fallow. The event concluded with the symbolic handover of subsidy cheques to beneficiary farmers and an inspection of farm machinery by the Collector at the venue. District Agriculture Officer Muralikrishna, assistant agricultural officers, mandal agricultural extension officers, and local farmers were present.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Farm mechanisation drive benefits 25K farmers in 45 days
Vijayawada: The farm mechanisation initiative of Andhra Pradesh govt is receiving a good and positive response from farmers across the state. More than 25,000 farmers benefited from the scheme within the first 45 days of its launch, with subsidies amounting to 61 crore disbursed for the purchase of essential agricultural machinery. After a five-year gap, the State relaunched this scheme as a flagship programme under the sub-mission on agricultural mechanization (SMAM), targeting primarily small and marginal farmers. In a key change from previous models, the new system offers a frontend subsidy model—where farmers receive a 50% subsidy directly at the time of purchase rather than paying the full amount upfront and claiming it later. This shift is encouraging more farmers to come forward and invest in modern farm tools, easing their financial burden and making mechanised agriculture more accessible. The scheme covers a comprehensive range of equipment, from land preparation to harvesting, with a special focus on reaching rainfed and tribal regions. This is expected to reduce dependency on manual labour and enhance productivity in the agriculture sector. The initiative is managed through the Karshak Portal – FM App, developed by NIC-AP, which integrates data from multiple govt departments to verify eligibility and prevent duplication. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo These include land ownership (webland), cultivation records (ePanta), family eligibility (GSWS), forest cultivator data (Giribhoomi), and previous subsidy status from the agriculture department. Applications, beneficiary selection, progress tracking, and grievance handling are all conducted online, ensuring a transparent and efficient system. "The AP Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd (AP AGROS) is functioning as the nodal agency for this initiative, managing logistics, coordinating with suppliers, and ensuring on-ground delivery of equipment. The govt is committed to expanding the scheme across all districts to strengthen farm infrastructure and help small and marginal farmers adopt modern, technology-based farming practices," said S Dilli Rao, director of the Andhra Pradesh agriculture department. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
