NHM · Horticulture mechanisation

Farm machinery under NHM, and why most of it says “as per SMAM norms”

Most machinery under NHM defers to SMAM norms rather than carrying its own figure. The clearest exception is a power tiller up to 8 BHP, costed at ₹1.0 lakh per unit with a maximum of ₹0.40 lakh for general-category farmers.

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Farm machinery under NHM, and why most of it says “as per SMAM norms”

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Source verified by our team
Author Editorial team Reviewer Admin Verified 07 Sep 2026 Applies to NHM · Horticulture mechanisation Rule period 01 Apr 2025 – current
A reviewer matched the statements on this page to the official documents listed under Sources. It describes our verification work, not an official endorsement. Scheme decisions and approvals rest with the relevant authorities.

Before you spend money: cost norms, rates and conditions can be changed by the Government. This page explains the April 2025 MIDH operational guidelines as written. Confirm the current position with your State Horticulture Department before committing to a project.

Horticulture mechanisation is listed under the mission, but most of the numbers are not in this document.

The one clear figure

A power tiller up to 8 BHP carries a cost norm of ₹1.0 lakh per unit. Assistance is subject to a maximum of ₹0.40 lakh per unit for general-category farmers, with a higher ceiling for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe farmers, small and marginal farmers, and women farmers.

Note the shape of this: a cash ceiling rather than a clean percentage. Read the ceiling, not the rate.

Everything else points at SMAM

For tractors up to 20 PTO HP, power tillers above 8 BHP, manual and powered sprayers, tractor-operated and electrostatic sprayers, the guidelines say assistance is as per SMAM norms, the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization.

There is no NHM figure to apply. Anyone quoting one for a tractor under NHM has made it up.

The standalone machinery condition

The guidelines also state that standalone machinery and equipment is not permissible under this component. Machinery is supported as part of a horticulture project, not as a purchase on its own.

Sources

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) — Operational Guidelines, April 2025
Horticulture Division, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India · Guideline · 01 Apr 2025 · Current
Official original
Statements checked on this page (2)
  • Source verified by our team For a power tiller up to 8 BHP, the cost norm is ₹1.0 lakh per unit, with assistance subject to a maximum of ₹0.40 lakh per unit for general-category farmers and a higher ceiling for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe, small and marginal, and women farmers. — Printed p. 48 (PDF page 58), Annexure V and related sections
  • Source verified by our team For most horticulture machinery, including power tillers above 8 BHP and several sprayer categories, the guidelines state that cost norms and assistance are as per SMAM norms rather than fixing a separate NHM value. — Printed p. 48 (PDF page 58), Annexure V and related sections
Version history (3)
DateChangeReasonStatus
14 Oct 2026 Updated — Source verified by our team
07 Sep 2026 Bulk approved by the owner (7 Sep 2026), not a line-by-line review — Source verified by our team
07 Sep 2026 Created — Awaiting verification
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Frequently Asked Questions

There is no NHM figure for a tractor. For tractors up to 20 PTO HP, power tillers above 8 BHP and most sprayers, the guidelines say assistance is as per SMAM norms, the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization.

A power tiller up to 8 BHP, at a cost norm of ₹1.0 lakh per unit, with assistance subject to a maximum of ₹0.40 lakh per unit for general-category farmers and a higher ceiling for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe farmers, small and marginal farmers, and women farmers.

No. The guidelines state that standalone machinery and equipment is not permissible under this component. Machinery is supported as part of a horticulture project, not as a purchase on its own.
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