SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday approved a revised Rs 13.76-crore annual action plan for 2026–27 to expand access to modern agricultural machinery and improve farm productivity across Jammu and Kashmir.
The plan, approved under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) component of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), provides for the distribution of 2,113 units of agricultural machinery and modern equipment, with Rs 11.165 crore earmarked for the initiative.
The revised Annual Action Plan (AAP) was cleared by the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) chaired by Dulloo. It has been rationalised within the financial ceilings prescribed by the Government of India, with provisions for both the Agriculture and Horticulture sectors and targeted assistance to farmers from different socio-economic groups.
According to Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Ashish Chandra Verma, the total allocation of Rs 13.76 crore comprises Rs 9.60 crore for the Agriculture Sector and Rs 4.16 crore for the Horticulture Sector.
Of the Agriculture Sector allocation, Rs 5.05 crore has been earmarked for Kashmir Division and Rs 4.55 crore for Jammu Division. The Horticulture Sector will receive Rs 2.15 crore for Kashmir and Rs 2.01 crore for Jammu.
To ensure wider participation, the plan allocates Rs 11.1663 crore to general-category farmers, Rs 1.4739 crore under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and Rs 1.1198 crore under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP).
An additional Rs 1.1862 crore has been earmarked for aspirational districts under the PMDDKY outlay, including Rs 92.45 lakh for Kishtwar and Rs 26.17 lakh for Baramulla.
The machinery distribution programme includes 95 four-wheel-drive tractors costing Rs 3.42 crore, 77 two-wheel-drive tractors worth Rs 1.54 crore and 184 power tillers with an allocation of Rs 1.84 crore.
The plan also provides for two combine harvesters at Rs 25 lakh, 10 reaper-cum-binders costing Rs 27.50 lakh and two super seeders to support harvesting and sowing operations.
To improve access to water for agricultural activities, 470 petrol, diesel and portable irrigation pumps, each with a capacity of up to 15 horsepower, will be provided at a cost of Rs 47 lakh.
The Agriculture Department will also introduce 10 Kisan Drones through Custom Hiring Centres, with eight earmarked for Jammu Division and two for Kashmir Division.
The Horticulture Sector will 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.
Addressing the cost of purchasing expensive machinery, the plan provides for the establishment of 22 Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) with an allocation of Rs 88 lakh and 16 Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs) at a cost of Rs 1.28 crore.
These facilities are intended to enable small and marginal farmers to hire equipment when required, reducing the need for individual investment and facilitating wider adoption of mechanised farming.
The plan also includes Rs 30 lakh under flexi-funds and Rs 13.50 lakh for administrative contingencies to support implementation and meet operational expenses.
During the meeting, Dulloo also stressed the need to strengthen irrigation infrastructure alongside farm mechanisation, saying focused attention was required to improve agricultural productivity and help farmers realise the sector’s potential.
He asked the Agriculture Production Department to advance interventions under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), drip irrigation and the Command Area Development component.
He emphasised that improving water-use efficiency, extending irrigation coverage and ensuring better utilisation of agricultural land were essential to strengthening the farming economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; the Secretary, Rural Development Department; the Secretary, Planning; the Secretary in the Agriculture Production Department; heads of departments under the Agriculture Production Department; and other concerned officers.
