Modern farming equipment remains out of reach for many farmers due to their high prices. Small and marginal farmers, who represent the backbone of our agriculture, frequently adopt old practices because they can not afford the new types of equipment. That is why the Agriculture Department of West Bengal offers financial assistance through the Financial Support Scheme for Farm Mechanization (FSSM). This effort assists farmers by making modern machinery more affordable, allowing them to boost yields, save time, and reduce physical strain while farming.
What is the Financial Support Scheme for Farm Mechanization?
The Agriculture Department of West Bengal announced the “Financial Support Scheme for Farm Mechanization (FSSM)” on December 5, 2012, to empower small and marginal farmers through financial support in the form of subsidies. This scheme assists farmers in purchasing power-operated farm machinery and equipment to increase agricultural productivity and lower cultivation expenses.
Note: The project is operational throughout the state, except for the Kolkata district.
Benefits
- Subsidy support: It ranges from 50-60% of the machinery’s indicated price, with a maximum of ₹3,00,000/-.
Available Equipment:
- A comprehensive list of equipment and subsidy restrictions based on the SMAM Cost Norms and Financial Assistance guidelines is present on the portal.
- Models and Pricing: Before applications open, the Matirkatha webpage will post available machinery models and estimated costs.
- Exclusions: FSSM does not cover large machines such as tractors, rice transplanters (more than four rows), or combine harvesters.
Important Points:
- No Government Procurement: Beneficiaries choose and buy machinery. The government only provides a backend subsidy.
- Subsidy Release: via DBT, linked to bank loans under FSSM.
- Approved Dealers: The subsidy only applies to purchases from approved manufacturers and dealers registered on the Departmental portal.
- Eligibility: Beneficiaries or their spouses may reapply only four years after receiving their last FSSM subsidy.
Related Scheme: YSR Rythu Bharosa
Eligibility
- Eligible applicants: Individual farmers enrolled under the Krishak Bandhu (New) Scheme, as well as government-approved groups such as SKUS, PACS, FPO, FPC, FIG, SHG, or LAMPS.
- Land requirement: A minimum of 0.5 acres of agricultural land (RoR) is required to apply for power tillers and solar water pumps under the FSSM.
- Age requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time they apply.
Exclusion
- A beneficiary or their spouse cannot apply for a fresh subsidy for any machinery under the Farm Mechanization schemes (FSSM, OTA-SFI, FMB/FMH, CHC) until four years have passed since the previous subsidy.
- Employees and retirees of the state government, statutory bodies, government undertakings, panchayats, municipal corporations, local bodies, and government-aided educational institutions are ineligible to apply.
How to apply?
To apply for FSSM, individuals need to register using the portal. Then, they can apply for this scheme.
Registration process
- To register for a new account, use the official FMS Portal.
- Fill in all the mandatory details in the applicant registration form
- After completing the details, verify it before signing up.
Application process
- Go to the FMS official site and click “Log In.”
- Enter your Voter Card number and password, choose the season, and log in.
- Fill out all the required information.
- Submit your application online, print it with the acknowledgment, attach a photo, and mail all documents to the Assistant Director of Agriculture in your block.
- Make any necessary adjustments using the one-time edit option before submitting the hard copy. There are no changes allowed after submission!
- Keep your serial number accessible for any future reference.
NOTE: Beneficiary farmers and entrepreneurs must apply online via the Matirkatha/FMS portal after the announcement is made in major media and on the Department’s website.
Documents Required
- Identity Proof: EPIC/Voter ID Card
- Aadhar Details: Required for both applicants and spouses (individual application).
- Bank account: Must be active.
- Mobile Number: Active and Valid
- Land Information: Details of the land
- Krishak Bandhu ID: (Refer to the portal for your ID)
- Machinery/Equipment Name: As applicable.
- Manufacturer: Select from the Departmental Portal.
The FSSM is a boon for many farmers who wish to increase their standard of living, as this scheme supports farmers to work smarter, not harder, with the help of new farming equipment. So, they can focus on more productivity and quality with less human effort.
Related Scheme: KALIA Yojana Odisha
Frequently Asked Questions
A government program called the FSSM was created to help farmers afford to buy new equipment for their farms.
Small and marginal farmers can apply for FSSM.
The type of machinery acquired and the farmer’s classification determine the amount of the subsidy.
No, farmers do not need to meet any particular income requirements to be eligible for this program.
No.
