Family Pension (HBOCWWB) 2026

The Financial Support Scheme for Farm Mechanization (FSSM) by the West Bengal Agriculture Department offers subsidies to Read More... small and marginal farmers to help them buy powered farm equipment. Read less

Details

Farming is getting a tech upgrade! The West Bengal government understands how crucial modern machinery is for farmers. That's why they introduced the Financial Support Scheme for Farm Mechanization (FSSM) back in December 2012. This scheme is all about making farming more productive and less costly by helping farmers, especially the small and marginal ones, to get their hands on power-operated farm equipment.

What Is This Scheme?

Think of FSSM as a helping hand from the government to buy modern farm tools. It provides a subsidy, which is basically a discount, on the price of farm machinery. The goal is to boost agricultural productivity across West Bengal and make farming a more profitable venture.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is primarily designed for the backbone of our agriculture – the small and marginal farmers of West Bengal. It also extends support to farmer groups that are officially recognised.

Why This Scheme Is Important

In today's world, technology can make a huge difference. Mechanization helps farmers work faster, cover more land, reduce manual labour, and ultimately grow more crops efficiently. FSSM aims to bridge the gap for farmers who might not be able to afford these machines on their own, ensuring that agriculture in West Bengal continues to thrive.

Objective

The Financial Support Scheme for Farm Mechanization (FSSM) by the West Bengal Agriculture Department offers subsidies to small and marginal farmers to help them buy powered farm equipment.

Benefits

After the death of the worker-pensioner, half of the pension amount will be given to the dependent wife/husband as family pension every month.

Sources and references

Official Website

Eligibility Criteria

Individual farmers who are registered under the Krishak Bandhu (New) Scheme.
Alternatively, farmer groups like SKUS, PACS, FPO, FPC, FIG, SHG, or LAMPS that are approved or recognised by any government institution or department.
Applicants must own at least 0.5 (half) acre of agricultural land, as per their Record of Rights (RoR), to be eligible for purchasing a power tiller or a solar photo-voltaic water pumping system.
The applicant must be at least 18 years old at the time of applying for the scheme.

How To Apply

Keep an eye out for advertisements about the scheme in leading newspapers and on the Department's website.
Eligible farmers need to apply online through the official portal: https://wbfms.matirkatha.net/applicants/sign_up.
After successfully submitting the online application, you must take a printout of the application along with the acknowledgement receipt.
Submit the hard copy of your application, along with any other required documents (self-attested if needed), to the office of the Assistant Director of Agriculture in your concerned Block within the specified deadline.

Note: The scheme is applicable across West Bengal, excluding Kolkata district.

Documents Required

Identity Proof (like Voter ID card / EPIC)
Aadhaar Card of the applicant and their spouse (for individual applications)
Active Bank Account details
A functional mobile number
Land ownership documents (Land Particulars)
Krishak Bandhu ID Number. You can check your ID here: https://krishakbandhu.net/farmer_search
Details of the machinery/equipment/implement you wish to select.
Name of the manufacturer.

Note: Specific machinery models and indicative prices will be available on the Matirkatha portal before the online application period begins. It's important to note that large machinery like tractors or combine harvesters (above 4 rows for rice transplanters) are not covered under this specific FSSM scheme.

FAQ’s

What is the main goal of the Financial Support Scheme for Farm Mechanization (FSSM)?

The primary aim of FSSM is to provide financial assistance as a subsidy to small and marginal farmers in West Bengal, enabling them to purchase power-operated farm equipment and machinery. This helps in modernizing farming practices.

Can I apply if I am a government employee or a retired government employee?

No, employees or retired employees of the State Government, Statutory Bodies, or Government Undertakings are not eligible to apply for this scheme.

How will the subsidy amount be given to me?

The subsidy will be transferred directly to your bank account using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method.

What is the pattern of financial assistance offered by the scheme?

You can get a subsidy ranging from 50% to 60% of the indicative price of the machinery. However, there's a cap, so the maximum subsidy you can receive is ₹3,00,000/-.

Is there any specific age requirement to apply for this scheme?

Yes, you must be at least 18 years old when you submit your application for the scheme.

What should I do after submitting my online application?

After applying online, you need to print out your application form along with the acknowledgement receipt. Submit this printout and other required documents in person to the Assistant Director of Agriculture's office in your block within the given timeframe.

Does the scheme differentiate between male and female applicants?

No, there is no preferential treatment or priority given specifically to female applicants over male applicants.

Who is responsible for launching this scheme?

The Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, has launched this scheme to support farmers.

What is the minimum landholding required to apply?

To be eligible for purchasing a power tiller or a solar photo-voltaic water pumping system under FSSM, you need to have at least 0.5 (half) acre of agricultural land recorded in your name (RoR).

Are there any costs or fees associated with applying for this scheme?

No, there are absolutely no charges or fees required to apply for this scheme.

Can I apply again if I have received a subsidy under this scheme before?

If you or your spouse have received a subsidy for any type of machinery under any FSSM scheme previously, you will have to wait for 4 years from the date the last subsidy was released before you can apply again.

Who can apply for this scheme?

Eligibility includes individual farmers registered under the Krishak Bandhu (Natun) Scheme. It also extends to groups like SKUS, PACS, FPO, FPC, FIG, SHG, or LAMPS that have been approved or recognised by any government institution or department.

Is there an income criterion for farmers to be eligible?

No, the scheme does not specify any particular income criteria for farmers to be eligible to apply.