25,000 Farmers in Andhra Pradesh Get Help from Farm Mechanisation Scheme in Just 45 Days!

by Team Agrisnip | Jun 15, 2025 | Agri News, Farming

Andhra Pradesh’s revamped farm mechanisation scheme is creating waves among small and marginal farmers. Launched just 45 days ago, the program has already benefited over 25,000 farmers with ₹61 crore in subsidies for agricultural equipment.

Andhra Pradesh is making farm work smarter and easier. The state government’s newly relaunched farm mechanisation drive has seen an overwhelming response—benefiting more than 25,000 farmers within just 45 days. A total of ₹61 crore in subsidies has already been distributed to support the purchase of essential farm machinery.

This scheme is part of the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and focuses especially on small and marginal farmers. What makes it more appealing this time is the new front-end subsidy model. Farmers now receive a 50% subsidy right at the time of purchase, unlike before when they had to pay the full price and wait for reimbursement. This has helped ease the financial stress on farmers and boosted confidence in adopting modern tools.

From land preparation to harvesting, the scheme covers a wide range of farm equipment. Special efforts are being made to reach remote tribal and rainfed regions, where farming is often more challenging. With these tools, farmers can reduce their dependency on manual labour, save time, and increase productivity.

The initiative is being managed through a smart digital solution—the Karshak Portal – FM App, developed by NIC-AP. It links data from various government departments like land records (Webland), crop details (ePanta), family eligibility (GSWS), forest land farming (Giribhoomi), and previous subsidies. This helps in accurate farmer verification and avoids duplication.

Everything—from applying and selecting beneficiaries to tracking progress and handling complaints—is done online, making the system fast and transparent.

The AP Agro Industries Development Corporation Ltd (AP AGROS) is leading the operations on the ground, ensuring smooth logistics, coordination with suppliers, and timely delivery of machinery.

According to Agriculture Department Director S Dilli Rao, the government is determined to scale up this initiative across all districts, ensuring that small and marginal farmers have the tools they need for a better future.

This initiative is not just about machines—it’s about transforming how farming is done in Andhra Pradesh.

Farmers Ignored in Budget? Opposition Slams Govt in Lok Sabha

by Team Agrisnip | May 28, 2025 | Agri News, Farming

The opposition in Lok Sabha took a firm stand against the government’s approach to agriculture, accusing it of ignoring farmers’ interests in the Union Budget. SP MP Dharmendra Yadav highlighted that while the government waived off ₹16 lakh crore in industrial loans, it refused to grant loan waivers to struggling farmers, citing financial constraints.

Initiating the debate on demands for grants for the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry, Yadav pointed out that only 2.7% of the total Budget had been allocated to the sector, calling it highly disappointing. He alleged that despite frequent promises, the government harbors an anti-farmer stance.

Congress MP Jai Prakash criticized the treatment of protesting farmers, likening it to the British era, and vowed strong opposition to any reintroduction of controversial farm laws. DMK MP TM Selvaganapathi and Congress’ Charanjit Singh Channi expressed alarm over reports of duty-free US imports, fearing it would undercut Indian farmers and reverse policies aimed at self-reliance in food production.

As the debate continues, the opposition demands a clear stance from the government on import policies and financial support for farmers, pressing for immediate action to safeguard their livelihoods.

Karnataka Farmers’ Practices Hailed as ‘Best in the Country’ by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan

by Team Agrisnip | May 28, 2025 | Agri News, Farming

Bengaluru, June 9, 2025

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today lauded the agricultural practices employed by farmers in Karnataka, unequivocally declaring them the “best in the country.” Speaking at the launch of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) at the ICAR-IIHR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Minister Chouhan expressed his admiration, stating, “Farms in Karnataka are the best in the country. The techniques used by farmers here are so well-thought-out and modern, they leave me awestruck.”

The event, which marked a significant step in the VKSA’s rollout, attracted over 500 farmers from various parts of Karnataka, eager to learn about advancements in agricultural science and technology. The program commenced with insightful site visits around the ICAR-IIHR campus farms, where participants had the opportunity to observe various biologically modified flora developed by the institute’s dedicated scientists. This hands-on experience was followed by a comprehensive briefing on the fundamental principles and objectives of the VKSA development program.

The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a joint initiative by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is strategically designed to address pressing challenges faced by farmers. Its core aims include combating issues such as poor cultivation due to plant diseases, rectifying adverse soil conditions, and mitigating the burden of rising input costs. Crucially, the program seeks to build a robust bridge between scientists and farmers, fostering a collaborative environment where they work hand-in-hand to produce disease-resistant crop varieties capable of thriving even in harsh local conditions.

The nationwide campaign has already made significant strides, with 1,896 teams having interacted with a remarkable 8,95,944 farmers across 8,188 villages. In Karnataka specifically, more than 70 interdisciplinary teams, comprising scientists and officials from agricultural and allied departments, are diligently visiting and engaging with farmers daily. Their primary objective is to record direct feedback from the ground, which will be instrumental in shaping future agricultural research and development initiatives. Yelamma, a small marigold farm owner from Chikkaballapur district, shared her positive experience, stating, “I have always been a bit wary of the hybrid crops because I thought them to be unsafe but after seeing the crops here it has changed my views of them.” This direct feedback underscores the program’s success in building trust and promoting the adoption of scientific advancements among the farming community.