Srinagar, October 15: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved a revised ₹13.76 crore farm mechanisation plan for 2026–27, targeting the distribution of 2,113 agricultural machinery units and the establishment of 22 Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) to expand farmers’ access to modern equipment.
The revised Annual Action Plan was approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC), chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) component of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY).
According to the Agriculture Production Department, the plan aims to improve farm productivity, reduce operational costs and promote mechanised farming across the Agriculture and Horticulture sectors, with allocations distributed between Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Dr Ashish Chandra Verma, said ₹9.60 crore had been earmarked for the Agriculture sector and ₹4.16 crore for Horticulture.
Of the Agriculture sector allocation, ₹5.05 crore is earmarked for Kashmir division and ₹4.55 crore for Jammu division. In Horticulture, Kashmir division will receive ₹2.15 crore and Jammu division ₹2.01 crore.
The plan provides ₹11.1653 crore for general-category farmers, ₹1.4739 crore under the Tribal Sub-Plan and ₹1.1198 crore under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan.
An additional ₹1.1862 crore has been earmarked for aspirational districts under the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), including ₹92.45 lakh for Kishtwar and ₹26.17 lakh for Baramulla.
Tractors, power tillers and other machinery
An allocation of ₹11.165 crore has been earmarked for distributing 2,113 agricultural machinery units and modern equipment to farmers.
The major targets include 95 four-wheel-drive tractors costing ₹3.42 crore, 77 two-wheel-drive tractors worth ₹1.54 crore and 184 power tillers with an allocation of ₹1.84 crore.
The plan also provides for two combine harvesters at ₹25 lakh, ten reaper-cum-binders at ₹27.50 lakh and two super seeders to support harvesting and sowing operations.
To improve access to irrigation equipment, 470 petrol, diesel and portable pumps of up to 15 HP will be provided at a cost of ₹47 lakh.
Ten Kisan Drones will also be introduced through Custom Hiring Centres, including eight for the Agriculture Department in Jammu division and two in Kashmir division.
The Horticulture sector will receive specialised equipment, including power-operated horticultural tools, brush cutters, walnut dehullers, aluminium pruning ladders and mist blowers for orchard management.
During the meeting, Dulloo stressed the need to strengthen irrigation infrastructure alongside farm mechanisation to improve agricultural productivity across Jammu and Kashmir.
He asked the Agriculture Production Department to focus on interventions under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme, drip irrigation and Command Area Development component.
He said improved water-use efficiency, wider irrigation coverage and better utilisation of agricultural land were essential to strengthening the farming sector.
The Chief Secretary emphasised that irrigation and mechanisation should advance together to improve farm efficiency, raise crop productivity and strengthen the agricultural economy.
The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Agriculture Production Department, Rural Development Department and Planning Department, along with heads of departments and other concerned officials.
