Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov 02: As an initiative, the Department of Agriculture, Andaman and Nicobar Administration has relaxed the eligibility norms for availing subsidy on the purchase of Carbon Fibre Telescopic Harvester under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM–RKVY). This shall empower the small and marginal farmers engaged in Coconut and Arecanut cultivation, making harvesting operations safer, faster and more efficient.
Under this scheme, farmers can avail 50% subsidy to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per set of the modern Carbon Fibre Telescopic Harvester, a lightweight and durable tool designed to ease the challenges of harvesting tall trees, thus minimizes the need for climbing, reducing the risk of accidents and saving labour.
Recognising that many of the farmers have fragmented or limited landholdings, the Department has reduced the minimum land requirement from 1.0 hectare to 0.10 hectare, enabling a large number of small and marginal farmers to benefit from the scheme.
Interested farmers can directly purchase the harvesters and apply for financial assistance at their nearest Zonal Agricultural Office or Agriculture Sub-Depot. Application forms for the subsidy are available at all Agricultural Sub Depot and Zonal Agricultural offices in the Islands.
