One Time Assistance to Small and Marginal Farmers for Purchase of Small Farm Implements (OTA-SFI)

DETAILS “One Time Assistance to Small and Marginal Farmers for Purchase of Small Farm Implements (OTA-SFI)” under the Farm Mechanization Umbrella Scheme, was launched on 12 February, 2013 by the Agriculture Department, Government of West Bengal with the purpose to aid the farmers in procuring manually operated small farm implements necessary for agricultural operations. Features: Financial support will be provided mostly for manually operated tools like sprayer, manually operated paddy thresher, cono weeder, weeder, drum-seeder, solar light trap, chaff cutter, seed bin, seed tray, seeder etc. and battery operated sprayers and PVC pipes for carrying water etc. under OTA-SFI. Area of Operation: The scheme is applicable uniformly throughout the State, except Kolkata district. BENEFITS Pattern Of Assistance: Maximum ₹10,000/- or 50% of total indicative price of purchased manually operated machinery/implement whichever is lower. Available Equipment: A list of different manually operated machinery/implements is provided in Annexure-III (Page No. 37). Available models of different farm machinery /implements as mentioned in Annexure-III along with indicative price will be published in Matirkatha portal by the SPMT before starting of online application of the beneficiary .Combination of machinery/equipment from the list can be purchased within the subsidy limit. But, maximum two nos. implements of the same item may be chosen by the applicant. However, battery operated sprayers and PVC pipes for carrying water will also be eligible under this component. Note: 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 FSSM with Bank Loan. The subsidy will be released through DBT mode to the beneficiaries for OTA-SFI. 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 any type of machinery under OTA-SFI from the State under this Guidelines. ELIGIBILITY Individual farmers 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 age of the beneficiary should be minimum 18 years at the time of application.  Exclusions A beneficiary or his/her spouse will not be eligible to apply afresh before completion of 4(four) years from release last subsidy for any type of machinery under any Farm Mechanization scheme( FSSM, OTA-SFI, FMB/FMH & CHC) from the State under this Guidelines. 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.