Question : AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENTS

(a) whether farm practices has become costlier and farmers are loosing interest in farming after introduction of agriculture mechanisation;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government provides subsidy/grants on purchasing of agricultural equipments and tools under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in the country and if so, the details and the norms of subsidy thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to transfer subsidy direct to the bank account of the beneficiaries on purchase of agricultural equipments; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a): Yes, Madam, the cost of inputs for agricultural operations has increased over the years. There has been increase in the cost of labour, inputs like seed, fertilizers, pesticides and chemicals, petrol & diesel, agricultural machinery and equipments and reflected in estimates of cost of cultivation.

Use of Tractors, Power Tillers, Combine Harvesters, and other agricultural machinery & equipments have grown over years which can be observed in sale of Tractors hat have increased from 2.47 lakh in 2004-05 to 6.96 lakh numbers in 2013-14. This shows the growing interest of our farmers to invest in farm mechanization that contributes towards efficient use of agricultural inputs.

(b): Does not arise.

(c): Yes, Madam. Government is providing assistance for purchase of agricultural equipment and tools under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) for establishment of Custom Hiring Centre and also for procurement of various agricultural machinery and equipments to invidual. Norms of assistance ranges from 25 to 40% of the cost agricultural machinery and equipments.

(d) & (e): Government of India provides assistance for procurement of agricultural machinery and equipments under various schemes like Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Mission on Oil Palm and Oil seeds (NMOOP), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) wherein State Governments are advised to consider direct transfer of subsidy to identified beneficiary.