FMH
Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)
6.7/10“Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)” by the Agriculture Department, Government of West Bengal aims to facilitate end-to-end (from land development to residue management) use of farm machinery which can be within the reach of the small and marginal farmers at reasonable charges.
States / UT: West Bengal
Nodal department: Agriculture Department
Scheme for: Infra
Scheme profile
DBT (direct benefit transfer): No
Scheme open date: 2024-01-01
Categories: Agriculture,Rural & Environment
Sub-categories: Financial assistance, Rural services, Entrepreneurship development
Target beneficiaries: Individual, Self Help Groups (SHGS)
Tags: Agriculture, Farmers, Employment, Subsidy, Rural, Youth, Farm Machinery, Entrepreneurs, Machinery Bank, Machinery Hub
Details
“Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)” under the Farm Mechanization Umbrella Scheme, was introduced in the year 2023 for setting up Farm Machinery Bank(FMB) and will also be continued in 2024-25. The objective is to create employment opportunities among the rural youth/entrepreneurs for setting up of the Hub with special emphasis on the areas having low farm power availability.
Objective of the scheme:
- Self employment for rural youth and other entrepreneurs.
- To facilitate end-to-end (from land development to residue management) use of farm machinery which can be within the reach of the small and marginal farmers at reasonable charges.
- To offset the high cost of owning farm machinery for small holdings.
- To promote primary processing units like dal mill, oil mill, grinding machinery etc. & to set up seed processing units.
- To increase farm power availability from the present level of 2.30 KW/ha to 2.50 KW/ha as envisioned by the Government of India.
Area of Operation: The scheme is applicable uniformly throughout the State, except Kolkata district.
Choice of Machinery:
- List of Machinery/implements that can be selected for FMB/FMH is furnished in Annexure-IV-A (Page No. 41). List of available models of different farm machinery registered in Matirkatha portal with their indicative price will be published by the SPMT before starting of online application of the beneficiary so that the applicant can choose more than one machinery/implements from the list for setting up FMB/FMH. In case of primary processing units like dal mill, oil mill, grinding machinery etc. and seed processing unit , the intending applicants can opt for one machinery with minimum project cost of ₹10,00,000/- for setting up FMB/FMH from Annexure-IV-A. - The list is indicative but not exhaustive, any suitable farm machinery not included in the list may also be included in the project as per latest SMAM guideline supportive to local situation with the approval of SPMT. - For any non-listed machinery, latest SMAM guidelines will be followed for arriving at subsidy portion of that particular machinery with the approval of SPMT.
- For AMC, Insurance, cost of shed for FMB/FMH proper documents (vetted estimate by competent authority, quotation, invoice) need to be submitted along with the project for availing the benefit under AIF.
Benefits
- Pattern Of Assistance:
- The subsidy will be 80% of the Total Financial Outlay (TFO) subject to maximum Rs 8.00 lakh and minimum TFO will be ₹10,00,000/-. The TFO includes indicative cost of machinery + Cost of shed +AMC + insurance. The remaining amount of the TFO will be borne by the beneficiary
- The maximum amount allowed for cost of open shed for machinery will be limited to 5% of the TFO and total ancillary cost (other than machinery) should not exceed 10% of TFO. Note:
- The applicant will have to deposit margin money of a minimum amount of 25% of TFO to the financing bank before release of subsidy by the DDA (Admn.) to the Bank and remaining amount will be bank loan
- No machine/equipment will be procured by the Government. The Government will only release subsidy as back ended subsidy against procurement by the beneficiaries as per their choice under CHC with Bank Loan. The subsidy will be released through DBT mode to the concerned bank branch to subsidy reserve fund/loan account for CHC
- The subsidy will only be applicable for purchase of farm machinery/equipment from the approved Farm machinery Manufacturers and Dealers as enlisted in the Departmental portal
- A beneficiary or his/her spouse will not be eligible to apply afresh before completion of 4(four) years from release of the last subsidy for CHC scheme from the State under this Guidelines
Pattern Of Assistance:
- The subsidy will be 80% of the Total Financial Outlay (TFO) subject to maximum Rs 8.00 lakh and minimum TFO will be ₹10,00,000/-. The TFO includes indicative cost of machinery + Cost of shed +AMC + insurance. The remaining amount of the TFO will be borne by the beneficiary.
- The maximum amount allowed for cost of open shed for machinery will be limited to 5% of the TFO and total ancillary cost (other than machinery) should not exceed 10% of TFO.
Note:
- The applicant will have to deposit margin money of a minimum amount of 25% of TFO to the financing bank before release of subsidy by the DDA (Admn.) to the Bank and remaining amount will be bank loan .
- No machine/equipment will be procured by the Government. The Government will only release subsidy as back ended subsidy against procurement by the beneficiaries as per their choice under CHC with Bank Loan. The subsidy will be released through DBT mode to the concerned bank branch to subsidy reserve fund/loan account for CHC.
- The subsidy will only be applicable for purchase of farm machinery/equipment from the approved Farm machinery Manufacturers and Dealers as enlisted in the Departmental portal.
- A beneficiary or his/her spouse will not be eligible to apply afresh before completion of 4(four) years from release of the last subsidy for CHC scheme from the State under this Guidelines.
Eligibility
- Individual Rural Youth Entrepreneur registered under Krishak Bandhu (New) Scheme.
Or,
Groups like SKUS/PACS/FPO/FPC/FIG/SHG duly graded /LAMPS etc approved/recognized by any Govt Institution/Departments .
- The Group should be successfully running at least for last 1(one)year are only eligible to setup FMB/FMH in a selected village
- The project cost/Total Financial Outlay (TFO) should be minimum ₹10,00,000/-.
- The applicant should have sufficient land under his possession (own land/leased/hired) for setting up the FMB/FMH.
- The land in question must belong to “commercial or bastu or viti” category.
- The age of the beneficiary should be minimum 18 years at the time of application.
Exclusions
- The individual applicant or his/her spouse who have not availed any benefit under FSSM/OTA-SFI /FMB/CHC will be eligible for FMB/FMH.
- An employee/retired employee of State Government, Statutory Bodies, Government Undertakings, Panchayats, Municipal Corporations/Municipalities,Local Bodies, Government Aided Educational Institutions etc. is not eligible.
How useful is this scheme?
A practical look at this scheme for citizens
AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.
- Accessibility6.0
- Financial impact9.5
- Rural utility6.0
- Awareness4.5
- Simplicity7.0
- Inclusivity5.0
What problem does this scheme solve?
The Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) scheme aims to support small and marginal farmers by providing access to farm machinery at reasonable costs, thereby promoting self-employment among rural youth.
Key challenges addressed
- High cost of owning farm machinery
- Limited access to farm machinery for small farmers
- Employment opportunities for rural youth
Most beneficial for
- Small and marginal farmers
- Rural youth entrepreneurs
- Self Help Groups (SHGs)
Likely challenges
- Complex application process for semi-literate individuals
- Digital dependency may exclude non-tech-savvy applicants
- Awareness of the scheme may be limited in rural areas
Practical insights for citizens
Practical for those with access to technology and understanding of the application process
Rural challenges
- Limited digital literacy
- Access to reliable internet
Digital challenges
- Dependence on online application may exclude some applicants
Implementation bottlenecks
- Need for awareness campaigns to inform potential beneficiaries
Awareness challenges
- Limited outreach in rural areas
Application analysis
- Application mode
- Online portal
- Documents burden
- Moderate, requires hard copies of documents after online submission
- Verification complexity
- Moderate, involves submission of various documents
- Office dependency
- Moderate, requires visit to Deputy Director of Agriculture office
- DBT dependency
- Yes, subsidy released through DBT
- CSC support
- Not specified
- Estimated citizen effort
- High due to multiple steps in application process
Estimated beneficiary reach
Benefit analysis
- Benefit type
- Cash subsidy
- Benefit frequency
- One-time subsidy upon approval
- Benefit practicality
- High, as it offsets the cost of machinery
- Financial meaningfulness
- High, with an 80% subsidy on a minimum project cost of ₹10,00,000
- Long-term impact
- Positive, as it promotes sustainable farming practices and self-employment
Plain-language guidance
The FMH scheme helps small farmers access affordable farm machinery. Eligible applicants can receive a significant subsidy to reduce costs. The application is done online, followed by document submission.
- Who should apply
- Small and marginal farmers, rural youth, and self-help groups.
- Who may struggle
- Semi-literate individuals and those without digital access.
- Best application route
- Apply via the official FMS portal and submit documents to the local agriculture office.
This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.
Application Process
Online
Registration Process:
Step 01: Visit the official FMS portal and click on “New Registration”.
Step 02: Fill in all the mandatory details in “Applicant Registration” form.
Step 03: Verify all the details and click on “Sign Up”.
Application Process:
Step 01: Visit the official FMS portal and click on “Log in”
Step 02: Enter Voter Card no, Password and select Season then click on “Log In”.
Step 03: Fill in all the mandatory details in the application form.
Step 04: After successful submission of online application, hard copies of print out of the application with acknowledgement receipt, recent passport size photograph and other prescribed documents (self-attest, if required) will have to be submitted to the office of the Deputy Director of Agriculture of the concerned District within the stipulated period.
Step 05: The applicant will get one time edit option in the specified field after submission of application through online mode but before submission of hard copy to the office of the Deputy Director of Agriculture of the concerned District. No edit option will be allowed once hard copy is submitted.
Step 06: The serial number generated in the online application to be referred in all cases.
Helpline Desk: 8336957298 (10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.)
Note: Online application of beneficiary farmers/entrepreneurs will have to be done in Matirkatha/FMS portal after due advertisement in leading dailies, Departmental website.
Clarifications
Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).
- What is the objective of the scheme?
"Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)" by the Agriculture Department, Government of West Bengal aims to facilitate end-to-end (from land development to residue management) use of farm machinery which can be within the reach of the small and marginal farmers at reasonable charges.
- Which department has launched this scheme?
Department Of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal has launched this scheme.
- Who is eligible to apply under this scheme?
Individual Rural Youth Entrepreneur registered under Krishak Bandhu (New) Scheme Or, Groups like SKUS/PACS/FPO/FPC/FIG/SHG duly graded /LAMPS etc approved/recognized by any Govt. Institution/Departments.
- How to avail the benefits of the scheme?
Bonafide farmers can apply online in Matirkatha/FMS portal after due advertisement in leading dailies, Departmental website: https://wbfms.matirkatha.net/applicants/sign_up . After successful submission of online application, hard copies of print out of the application with acknowledgement receipt, recent passport size photograph and other prescribed documents (self-attest, if required) will have to be submitted to the office of the Deputy Director of Agriculture of the concerned District within the stipulated period.
- What is the process for availing the subsidy?
The beneficiary will purchase the approved equipment/ machinery through self-finance/ Bank Loan & submit the subsidy claim to the DDA(Admn.) along with all requisite documents within 15 days from issue of sanction order & within 30 days for primary processing units, seed processing units, solar photo- voltaic water pumping system where installation in required for setting up FMB.
- Is there any fee or charges for the scheme?
No, there are no charges to apply for this scheme.
- Is there any age restriction?
The age of the beneficiary should be minimum 18 years at the time of application.
- Is there any priority for female applicants?
No.
- Is there any income criteria for the farmers to be eligible for this scheme?
No, there is no specific income criteria for the farmers to be eligible for this scheme.
- Whether an employee/retired employee of State Government/Statutory Bodies/Government Undertakings are eligible to apply?
No, an employee/retired employee of State Government/Statutory Bodies/Government Undertakings are not eligible to apply.
- How will the subsidy be released to the beneficiary?
Payment of subsidy to be made by the DDA(Admn) to the beneficiary's Bank Account (from where transaction is being made for purchasing the machinery) in DBT mode through PFMS/ e-Billing Module of IFMS IFMS from respective Schematic Bank account/Treasury.
- What is the pattern of assistance?
The subsidy will be 80% of the Total Financial Outlay (TFO) subject to maximum Rs 8.00 lakh and minimum TFO will be ₹10,00,000/- . The TFO includes indicative cost of machinery + Cost of shed +AMC + insurance. The remaining amount of the TFO will be borne by the beneficiary.
Official links
References
- Guidelines
- https://matirkatha.net/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBa1lDIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--6e05a52aaf58b7fbfa749a5d71be15309a5101ea/FMS_Operational%20Guidelines_2024_25.pdf?disposition=attachment
Apply
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the purpose of Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) is a government welfare initiative designed to support Infra, Individual, Self Help Groups (SHGS) through benefits related to Agriculture,Rural & Environment, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
- Who can apply for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Eligibility for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
- What benefits are offered under Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Benefits under Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
- Which department manages Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) is managed by Agriculture Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
- Can users apply online for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
- Is Aadhaar mandatory for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
- Where can users apply for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Applications for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
- What documents may be required for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
- Is income certificate required for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH).
- Is Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) available in all states?
- No, Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) is primarily available for eligible residents of West Bengal and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.
- Can residents outside West Bengal apply for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Eligibility for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) is generally limited to residents of West Bengal unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.
- Can small and marginal farmers apply for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Eligible small and marginal farmers may apply for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) subject to land ownership records, income eligibility, and agricultural beneficiary criteria.
- Does Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) provide subsidy support for farmers?
- Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) may provide agricultural subsidies, financial assistance, crop support, irrigation benefits, insurance coverage, or farming-related welfare assistance depending on the scheme structure.
- Can CSC centres help users apply for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
- How can users check the latest updates for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
- Are there deadlines for applying to Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Some schemes may operate through fixed application windows, annual registration cycles, or department-specific deadlines depending on scheme implementation policies.
- Can beneficiaries track application status for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH)?
- Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
- Where can users get help for Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) in West Bengal?
- Users in West Bengal may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
- Which nearby public services may help with Farm Machinery Bank (FMB)/Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) applications?
- Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.