Context: With a motive to transform the Agriculture into a Sustainable Enterprise Agriculture Mechanization and Technology Division takes various initiatives for farmers’ welfare under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan/Krishi.
Under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan/Krishi, the following schemes have been initiated
Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

• Agricultural Mechanization is one of the key drivers for sustainable development of the agriculture sector which helps in increasing production by timely farm operations, reducing losses, reducing the cost of operations by ensuring better management of costly inputs.
• Mechanization also enhances the productivity of natural resources and reduces drudgery associated with various farm operations.
• For driving mechanization in this sector, the Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) was launched in 2014.
• This scheme provides a suitable platform for converging all activities for inclusive growth of agricultural mechanization by providing a ‘single window’ approach for implementation with a special focus on small & marginal farmers.

CRM (Crop Residue Management) scheme

• With an objective to wean away farmers of Punjab and Haryana from Crop Residue Burning, the scheme of CRM (Crop Residue Management) was initiated since 2018 by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
• Paddy straw burning is one of the major problems in the Northern Region of the country causing environmental pollution.
• Paddy straw burning is currently practised on a large scale in Punjab & Haryana to clear the fields for Rabi Crop sowing because the time window available between the harvesting of paddy crop and the sowing of next crops is very short (2-3 weeks).
• Under this scheme, farmers are provided machinery for in-situ management of crop residue through the establishment of CHCs (Custom Hiring Centres).
• Individual farmers are also provided with a subsidy for the procurement of machinery.
• The Ministry has also developed a Multilingual Mobile App “CHC- Farm Machinery” which connects the farmers with Custom Hiring Service Centres situated in their locality.
• This App has been modified and provided more features and renamed “FARMS-app” (Farm Machinery Solutions-app).