AP YSR Yantra Seva Pathakam Scheme 2024 : Agricultural Machinery / Farming Tools on Rent through CHCs

Andhra Pradesh government has launched AP YSR Yantra Seva Pathakam Scheme 2024 to provide assistance to farmers. CM Jagan would distribute tractors, harvestors and other agricultural equipments to farmers at this day. Under Yantra Seva Padhakam scheme, AP govt. provides 40% subsidy and loans amounting to 50% of the machinery cost while the remaining 10% can be paid by the farmer's group.

CM stated that "In the past, farmers in Andhra Pradesh were so burdened that they would end their lives. Now, the state has flourished into an example of farmer welfare, so much so that other states are replicating our farmers' welfare schemes. In this article, we will tell you about the details of AP YSR Yantra Seva Padhakam Scheme.

YSR Yantra Seva Padhakam in AP Budget 2024-25

On 7 February 2024, Finance Minister presented Andhra Pradesh Vote on Account Budget 2024-2025. In the presented AP Budget 2024-25, FM said "Our government has also established 127 new Dr. YSR Agri Testing Labs; implemented Dr. YSR Polambadi; created post harvest infrastructure through the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund; provided agriculture machinery under YSR Yantra Seva Padhakam; and pioneered drone pilot training of farmers and village youth".

FM added that our government's comprehensive basket of initiatives covers the full spectrum of inputs, credit, insurance, post-harvest management, marketing, and fair prices is transforming agriculture in the state as never before..

About AP YSR Yantra Seva Pathakam Scheme 2024

The AP YSR Yantra Seva Pathakam Scheme is designed to help farmers with limited means to overcome the shortage of farming machinery. Under AP Yantra Seva Scheme, govt. will provide necessary machinery and tools on a rental basis through community hiring centres (CHCs) to farmers.

Chief Minister said the government had been implementing welfare schemes despite financial difficulties and brought several changes where agricultural advisory boards were set up, and providing agricultural schemes through e-cropping registration. In this scheme, payment of 10% of the cost of the machinery is done by the farmer group, 40% of the amount comes as subsidy from the state government and the remaining 50% as loan.

Mega Distribution Drives (I+II) under Yantra Seva Padhakam 

With the release of farm machinery worth Rs. 361.29 crore on 2 June 2023, the Jagan-led state government has distributed 6362 tractors, 491 combined harvesters and 36,153 other farm machinery worth Rs. 1052.16 crore. These would help 10,444 RBK level Custom Hiring Centres and 491 Cluster level Custom Hiring Centres. 

A subsidy of Rs. 366.15 crore is provided to the farmer groups. YSRC government has established 10,444 RBK level Custom Hiring Centres with Rs. 15 lakh worth of machinery at each RBK and 491 Cluster level Custom Hiring Centre. This meant a distribution of machinery worth Rs. 25 lakh to every cluster.

From now onward, there would be the YSR Yantra Seva Pathakam services in every RBK. Community hiring centres are maintained by farmer groups in their village itself. The decision-making vis-à-vis the selection of farm machinery, depending on the crop pattern of the village and local demand for hiring, rests with farmer groups. AP govt. released YSR Yantra Seva App to help the farmers and ease the process of hiring the machinery and this App enables them to book their required farm equipment 15 days in advance. A Kisan Drone Service with the use of latest technology is provided at every RBK and measures are being taken to provide sprayers and tarpaulins to marginal farmers with a 50% subsidy.

2nd Mega Distribution Drive under AP YSR Yantra Seva Pathakam Scheme 

On 2 June 2023, CM distributed 2,562 tractors, 100 combined harvesters and 13,573 other farm equipment, costing Rs. 361.29 crore to beneficiary farmers under YSR Yantra Seva Pathakam Scheme. CM deposited the subsidy amount of Rs. 125.48 crore directly into the accounts of farmers groups in Guntur, as part of the second-state-level mega distribution programme. AP govt. is committed to increase farmers income by reducing the cost of cultivation through mechanisation and to set up at least one Custom Hiring Centre (CHC) at RBK level.

The YSRC government is also committed to provide farm machinery to farmers groups. This would be facilitated by payment of 10% of the cost of the machinery by the farmer group, 40% of the amount coming as subsidy from the state government and the remaining 50% as loan. So, farmers can avail farm machinery services at affordable prices. Other farmers in RBK are also getting benefited by the low hiring charges.

1st Mega Distribution Drive under AP YSR Yantra Seva Pathakam Scheme

Earlier in the first mega distribution programme, 3800 tractors, 391 combined harvesters and 22,580 other farm machinery worth Rs. 690.87 crores had been made available in 6525 RBK level and 391 cluster level Custom Hiring Centres with a subsidy of Rs. 240.67 crore.