J&K Approves Rs 13.76 Crore Farm Mechanisation Plan to Boost Agricultural Productivity
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 15: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday approved a revised Annual Action Plan (AAP) worth Rs 13.76 crore for 2026–27 under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), a component of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), aimed at modernising agriculture and enhancing farm productivity across Jammu and Kashmir.
The plan was approved during a meeting of the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC), chaired by the Chief Secretary, and seeks to expand farmers’ access to modern machinery, improve operational efficiency and promote technology-driven agricultural practices across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Secretary, Rural Development Department; Secretary, Planning; Secretary in the Agriculture Production Department; heads of departments and other concerned officers.
Emphasising the importance of irrigation in strengthening the agricultural sector, Dulloo called for focused attention to irrigation schemes to improve productivity and enable farmers to realise the full potential of their land.
He directed the Agriculture Production Department to advance key interventions under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), drip irrigation and the Command Area Development component.
The Chief Secretary stressed that agricultural mechanisation and irrigation development must progress simultaneously to improve water-use efficiency, expand irrigation coverage, enhance crop productivity and strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s agricultural economy.
The revised action plan has been restructured by rationalising and pooling available resources within the financial ceilings prescribed by the Government of India. It aims to strengthen mechanisation in the agriculture and horticulture sectors while ensuring balanced regional coverage and targeted support for farmers from different socio-economic backgrounds.
Sectoral and Regional Allocations
Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Dr Ashish Chandra Verma, informed the meeting that, out of the total approved outlay of ₹1,376 lakh, ₹960 lakh has been allocated to the agriculture sector and ₹416 lakh to the horticulture sector.
Of the agriculture sector allocation, ₹505 lakh has been earmarked for Kashmir Division and ₹455 lakh for Jammu Division. In the horticulture sector, ₹215 lakh has been allocated to Kashmir Division and ₹201 lakh to Jammu Division.
To promote inclusive development, the plan provides ₹1,116.63 lakh for general-category farmers, ₹147.39 lakh under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and ₹111.98 lakh under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP).
An additional ₹118.62 lakh has been earmarked for aspirational districts under the PMDDKY outlay, including ₹92.45 lakh for Kishtwar district and ₹26.17 lakh for Baramulla district.
2,113 Machinery Units to Be Distributed
To accelerate farm mechanisation, ₹1,116.50 lakh has been earmarked for distributing 2,113 agricultural machinery units and modern equipment among farmers.
The major targets include 95 four-wheel-drive tractors at a cost of ₹342 lakh, 77 two-wheel-drive tractors worth ₹154 lakh and 184 power tillers with an allocation of ₹184 lakh.
The plan also provides for two combine harvesters at ₹25 lakh, ten reaper-cum-binders costing ₹27.50 lakh and two super seeders to strengthen harvesting and sowing operations.
To improve access to irrigation at the farm level, 470 petrol, diesel and portable irrigation pumps with a capacity of up to 15 horsepower will be provided at a cost of ₹47 lakh.
In a push towards technology-enabled farming, ten Kisan Drones will be introduced through Custom Hiring Centres. Of these, eight will be deployed through the Agriculture Department in Jammu Division and two in Kashmir Division.
The horticulture sector will also receive specialised equipment, including power-operated horticultural tools, brush cutters, walnut dehullers, aluminium pruning ladders and mist blowers to improve orchard management and related operations.
22 Custom Hiring Centres, 16 Farm Machinery Banks Planned
Recognising the financial constraints faced by small and marginal farmers in purchasing costly agricultural equipment, the action plan places particular emphasis on community-based machinery-sharing facilities.
Under the initiative, 22 Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) will be established with an allocation of ₹88 lakh, while 16 Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs) will be set up at a cost of ₹128 lakh.
These facilities will enable farmers to hire modern agricultural machinery as required, reduce individual investment costs and encourage wider adoption of mechanised farming practices.
The plan also earmarks ₹30 lakh under flexi-funds and ₹13.50 lakh for administrative contingencies to support implementation and meet operational requirements.
The initiative is expected to strengthen farm-level mechanisation, improve access to modern agricultural technology and support more efficient and productive farming across Jammu and Kashmir. ANB
