In response to changing weather patterns and unpredictable climatic conditions, agricultural authorities are encouraging farmers to move away from conventional farming methods and adopt modern, smart agricultural practices. To strengthen the financial stability of farmers, government administrations are promoting climate-resilient crop rotation while simultaneously offering substantial financial subsidies on farm equipment. As part of this drive, the Department of Horticulture in Sagar district, located in the Bundelkhand region, has announced a new target to distribute financial grants for various agricultural machines and implements. The primary goal of this initiative is to make modern farm technology accessible to small and marginal farmers, enabling them to reduce labor costs and boost crop productivity.
Mini Tractor Scheme and Subsidy Breakdown
The Horticulture Department in Sagar district has set a target to provide 12 mini tractors to local farmers during the current phase. This scheme specifically covers 20 HP mini tractors, which are ideally suited for operating in smaller field sizes. The market price of a 20 HP mini tractor is 4,90,000 rupees. Under the scheme guidelines, farmers belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and small landholding categories are eligible for a 50 percent subsidy, amounting to financial assistance of 2,45,000 rupees (up to approximately 2.5 lakh rupees). Meanwhile, farmers who own more than 2.5 acres of agricultural land will receive a 40 percent subsidy on the tractor purchase.
Subsidies on Power Tillers and Sprayers
Apart from mini tractors, the scheme extends financial assistance across a wide variety of essential modern farming equipment, including drip irrigation setups, mulching sheets, spray pumps, power tillers, and power sprayers. An 8 BHP power tiller, which carries a total cost of 2,00,000 rupees, comes with a 50 percent subsidy worth 1,00,000 rupees for eligible small and targeted category farmers. Larger farmers purchasing the same 8 BHP power tiller receive a 40 percent grant. Additionally, for a Powered Knapsack Sprayer or Power-Operated Taiwan Sprayer priced at 20,000 rupees per unit, the department provides a 50 percent subsidy equivalent to 10,000 rupees.
Step-by-Step Online Application and Required Documents
Explaining the procedure, Dr. P. S. Badole, Deputy Director of the Sagar Horticulture Department, stated that interested farmers must first register on the official portal to claim benefits under any of these equipment schemes. Applicants can visit the portal at https://mpfsts.mp.gov.in/mphd/new using their mobile phones or internet centers. During the registration process, farmers are required to submit the following essential documents
- One passport-sized photograph
- A photocopy of the bank account passbook or details
- A photocopy of the land record (Khasra copy)
- A photocopy of the Aadhaar card
- A valid caste certificate for SC and ST applicants
- An active mobile number
After registering on the website with these documents, applicants need to select the specific scheme and equipment they wish to apply for. The selection of beneficiaries is subsequently conducted through a transparent lottery system. Farmers can conveniently complete the entire application process from their homes using a smartphone.
