Bareilly: In a significant step towards promoting agricultural mechanization and enhancing farmers’ incomes, the Uttar Pradesh Government has launched a special subsidy scheme to provide small agricultural implements to eligible sugarcane growers at a 50 percent subsidy.
According to the Deputy Cane Commissioner, Bareilly, the initiative is aimed at increasing farmers’ income, reducing cultivation costs, and encouraging the adoption of modern farming technologies among sugarcane cultivators. The scheme specifically targets Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), small and marginal farmers, and women sugarcane growers.
The programme seeks to support resource-constrained farmers by enabling them to use modern agricultural tools, thereby reducing labour costs and making sugarcane cultivation more efficient, profitable, and sustainable. Officials believe the initiative will significantly boost mechanization in sugarcane farming while improving productivity and overall farm income.
Priority for SC/ST and Women Farmers
The Deputy Cane Commissioner stated that priority under the scheme will be given to small and marginal farmers belonging to SC and ST communities, as well as women sugarcane growers. To be eligible, applicants must be registered members of their respective sugarcane cooperative societies and regular suppliers of sugarcane. Farmers with outstanding dues to their sugarcane societies will not be eligible for benefits under the scheme.
To ensure inclusive participation, at least 33 percent of the total beneficiaries will be selected from SC/ST communities and women farmers.
Subsidy and Financial Assistance
Eligible farmers will receive a 50 percent subsidy on small agricultural implements costing up to ₹5,000. The subsidy amount will be jointly funded, with 25 percent borne by the Sugarcane Cooperative Society and 25 percent by the Sugarcane Development Council.
Online Application Process
Applications will be accepted online through the SGK Portal, and beneficiaries will be selected on a transparent “First Come, First Served” basis.
Applicants will be required to upload the following documents:
- Aadhaar Card
- Land ownership records (Khatauni)
- Caste certificate (where applicable)
- Bank passbook
- Recent photograph
Officials said that all agricultural implements will be procured through the Government of India’s GeM (Government e-Marketplace) Portal in accordance with prescribed quality standards. Quality assurance measures, including sample testing and inspections, will also be conducted to ensure farmers receive reliable equipment.
Distribution Through Farmer Outreach Programmes
The agricultural implements will be distributed through farmer awareness meetings, agricultural fairs, and annual general meetings of sugarcane cooperative societies. This approach is intended to ensure transparency and maximize outreach among eligible beneficiaries.
The Sugarcane Department has urged eligible farmers to apply online at the earliest and take advantage of the scheme to make sugarcane cultivation more modern, cost-effective, and profitable.
Officials also clarified that farmers who receive agricultural equipment under the scheme will not be eligible to avail of the same benefit again for the next five years.
The initiative is expected to provide much-needed support to small and marginal sugarcane growers while accelerating the adoption of modern farming practices across the region.
