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Farmers & AgricultureOfficial Info Verified
Farm Machinery Bank / Farm Machinery Hub (FMB/FMH)
Project-based farm mechanization initiative by the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, providing capital subsidies for establishing localized Farm Machinery Banks (FMB) and Hubs (FMH) equipped with Annexure-IV-A certified machinery packages to expand community-wide agricultural mechanization.
Department: Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal
Financial Framework
TFO Project Model
Subsidy + Own Equity + Bank Loan (if any)
Approved Machinery List
Annexure-IV-A
FMB/FMH equipment specifications
Sanctioning Body
DLSC Committee
District Level Selection Committee
TFO > ₹10 Lakh Norms
Phased Claim Form
Special scrutiny note & 50% remaining release
Language:
Scheme Overview
What is Farm Machinery Bank / Farm Machinery Hub (FMB/FMH)?
The Farm Machinery Bank (FMB) / Farm Machinery Hub (FMH) is a dedicated project-based component of the Government of West Bengal Department of Agriculture, governed under the Operational Guidelines for Farm Mechanization Schemes 2025–26. As one of the four major pillars of the State Farm Mechanization Umbrella (alongside FSSM, OTA-SFI, and CHC), FMB/FMH enables eligible individual entrepreneurs, farmer groups, cooperatives, and rural entities to establish a comprehensive equipment hub containing certified agricultural machinery. The project financing structure is based on Total Financial Outlay (TFO), comprising Government Subsidy, Own Contribution, and Bank Loan (if any). Applications undergo technical feasibility scrutiny and are officially sanctioned by the District Level Selection Committee (DLSC). For projects with a TFO exceeding ₹10.00 Lakh, a specialized scrutiny and claim procedure applies (including phased claim-intimation for releasing the remaining 50% eligible subsidy). Machinery selection and admissible subsidy ceilings are strictly governed by Annexure-IV-A, and projects are subject to joint field inspection, an official agreement with the Deputy Director of Agriculture (Administration), and prescribed lock-in conditions.
Primary Purpose:To establish community-level Farm Machinery Banks (FMB) and Farm Machinery Hubs (FMH) in rural agricultural clusters, housing tailored equipment packages to make modern farm mechanization accessible to farming communities.
Key Scheme Objectives
- Establish localized machinery banks and hubs equipped with versatile agricultural equipment packages.
- Broaden smallholder farmers’ access to advanced farm machinery and mechanized cultivation methods.
- Encourage rural agricultural entrepreneurship through structured Total Financial Outlay (TFO) project funding.
- Facilitate timely agricultural operations and mitigate climatic risks through ready local machinery availability.
Financial Framework
Total Financial Outlay (TFO) & FMB/FMH Financing Structure
Farm Machinery Bank (FMB) and Hub (FMH) projects are structured around Total Financial Outlay (TFO), where admissible government capital subsidy is combined with promoter equity and optional commercial bank credit.
Project Cost Base
TFO (Rs.)
Subsidy Determinant
Annexure-IV-A
Bank Loan Term
Optional / If Any
Threshold Documentation
TFO > ₹10 Lakh
The 4 Major Pillars of West Bengal Farm Mechanization
Under the 2025–26 guidelines, Farm Mechanization comprises: (1) FSSM (Individual power machinery capital subsidy), (2) OTA-SFI (Small implements assistance up to ₹10,000), (3) CHC (Credit-linked Custom Hiring Centres up to 40% TFO, min ₹8L), and (4) FMB/FMH (Project-based machinery banks/hubs with Annexure-IV-A machinery).
FMB/FMH Approval & Subsidy Release Workflow:
1. Proposal Formulation & Annexure-IV-A Selection
Applicant prepares a project proposal specifying proposed site, land holding, bank details, KB ID (for individuals), and equipment mix matching Annexure-IV-A specifications.
2. Scrutiny & DLSC Official Sanction
Agricultural authorities conduct technical feasibility scrutiny, followed by formal sanction issuance by the District Level Selection Committee (DLSC).
3. Agreement with DDA (Administration)
The entrepreneur enters into a formal legal agreement with the Deputy Director of Agriculture (Admn) outlining implementation terms and lock-in conditions.
4. Joint Inspection & Phased Subsidy Release
The Joint Inspection Committee inspects the established facility and machinery. For projects with TFO > ₹10 Lakh, a claim form processes the remaining 50% eligible subsidy after operational verification.
Strict Scheme Distinction:
FMB/FMH operates under distinct Annexure-IV-A equipment lists, project-level TFO structures, joint inspection committees, and DDA (Admn) entrepreneur agreements. It is separate from individual FSSM purchases and CHC commercial rental guidelines.
Projects Above ₹10.00 Lakh TFO Procedure
The 2025–26 guideline contains a dedicated "Project scrutiny note cum claim form for setting up FMB/FMH (TFO more than Rs 10.00 lakh/project)" governing detailed verification and staged claim processing.
Eligibility Guidelines
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Review standard qualifying conditions, income limits, and applicable waiver categories. Read our guide on understanding eligibility
Standard Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Applicants: Individual Rural Entrepreneurs (SC/ST/OBC/General, Small/Marginal/Big farmers) and registered entities/others (Groups, Societies, PACS, FPOs)
- Must possess or arrange suitable land/premises for establishing the machinery shed, storage yard, and operational hub
- Proposed machinery package must strictly conform to the specifications and models listed in Annexure-IV-A
- Must execute the official agreement with DDA (Admn) and comply with DLSC sanction and lock-in requirements
Not Eligible:
- Individual applications for small hand tools and manual sprayers (which fall under OTA-SFI).
- Unregistered or non-compliant proposals proposing machinery outside Annexure-IV-A or from unauthorized vendors.
- Applicants failing technical feasibility verification by agricultural officers or rejected by DLSC.
Farm Mechanization Pillar
Community-Oriented Farm Machinery Banks & Hubs
Department of Agriculture, West Bengal
Project-based capital subsidy for establishing agricultural machinery hubs equipped with Annexure-IV-A certified machinery packages.
Governance & Norms
DLSC Sanction, Joint Inspection & DDA Agreement
Structured project execution with Total Financial Outlay (TFO), optional bank credit, joint field verification, and prescribed lock-in rules.
Required Documentation
Commonly Required Documents
Exact document requirements can depend on the application type and applicant circumstances. View our common documents checklist
Standard
FMB/FMH Application Form & Project Proposal
Official application detailing applicant category, land holding, project-site address, and proposed machinery plan.
Standard
Identity, Caste & Land / Project-Site Holding Documents
Aadhaar, Voter ID, Caste Certificate (if applicable), Land Record (ROR/Porcha) or registered lease for project site.
Standard
KB ID Registration Number (For Individual Applicants)
Official farmer registration reference requested in the prescribed FMB application form.
Standard
Machinery Quotations & Technical Specifications (Annexure-IV-A Compliant)
Proforma invoices from authorized manufacturers/dealers with commercial test certificates conforming to Annexure-IV-A.
Standard
Bank Account & Loan Sanction Details (If Financed via Bank Loan)
Bank passbook copy, IFSC details, and bank loan sanction/appraisal letter (if bank credit is utilized).
Guidance: Ensure the applicant’s bank account is active and matches the beneficiary name exactly before institutional submission.
Application Process
How to Apply for Farm Machinery Bank / Farm Machinery Hub (FMB/FMH)
Step-by-step application and verification procedure based on official guidelines. Read our official portals guide
1
Select Machinery Package as per Annexure-IV-A
Identify the agricultural machinery mix required for the target area strictly matching Annexure-IV-A approved specifications and indicative costs.
2
Prepare Project Proposal & Total Financial Outlay (TFO)
Compile the project cost breakdown specifying government subsidy, own equity contribution, and bank loan (if any).
3
Submit Application to Agriculture Department Office
Submit the completed application form along with project details to the Block Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA) / Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA).
4
Feasibility Verification & DLSC Sanction
Agricultural field officers conduct site feasibility checks. The District Level Selection Committee (DLSC) reviews and issues the formal Sanction Order.
5
Execute Agreement with DDA (Administration)
The entrepreneur executes the formal legal agreement with the DDA (Admn) regarding implementation timelines and lock-in period conditions.
6
Procure Machinery, Joint Inspection & Subsidy Release
Procure machinery from empaneled dealers within the prescribed timeline. Joint Inspection Committee verifies the facility, and subsidy is released (with phased claim for TFO > ₹10 Lakh).
Payment Method
Admissible government subsidy under FMB/FMH is released directly into the beneficiary entrepreneur’s bank/loan account following DLSC sanction, agreement execution with DDA (Admn), physical verification by the Joint Inspection Committee, and geo-tagging. For projects with a TFO exceeding ₹10.00 Lakh, a specialized claim form processes the remaining 50% eligible subsidy after operational scrutiny.
Operational Guidelines Reference:Governed by Department of Agriculture Farm Mechanization Scheme Guideline 2025–26
Important to Know
FMB/FMH is a project-based machinery hub model, distinct from individual farmer subsidies (FSSM) and commercial rental centres (CHC).
Eligible machinery specifications and admissible subsidy ceilings are strictly governed by Annexure-IV-A.
Project funding follows Total Financial Outlay (TFO) comprising Subsidy, Own Contribution, and Bank Loan (if any).
Projects with TFO > ₹10 Lakh follow a specialized scrutiny note and claim form for releasing the remaining 50% subsidy.
Sanctioned by the District Level Selection Committee (DLSC), followed by agreement with DDA (Admn) and Joint Inspection verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Farm Machinery Bank / Farm Machinery Hub (FMB/FMH) Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers regarding eligibility, benefits, documents, and application process for Farm Machinery Bank / Farm Machinery Hub (FMB/FMH).
A Farm Machinery Bank (FMB) is a project-based facility established in rural areas equipped with a tailored collection of agricultural machines to improve community mechanization access.
Sources Checked
All factual information on this page has been compiled and verified against official government portals, gazettes, and departmental guidelines.
Last Verified: 2026-08-19T00:00:00Z
Independent Platform Notice:
WBScheme is an independent information platform and is not the Government of West Bengal. FMB/FMH eligibility, machinery specifications, subsidy rates, project costs, financing requirements, implementation deadlines, inspection procedures and subsidy-release rules may change through Government notifications. Always verify the latest information through the West Bengal Agriculture Department before applying.
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