Agriculture plays a vital role in the economy of Assam, with more than 70 percent of the population depending on farming and allied activities for their livelihood. However, agricultural growth in the state has been constrained by small and fragmented landholdings, low mechanization, frequent floods, and limited access to modern farming tools. These challenges have resulted in low productivity and reduced income for farmers.
To address these issues and promote scientific farming practices, the Government of Assam launched the Chief Minister Agriculture Sa Sajuli Yojana during the financial year 2018–19. The scheme aims to provide direct financial assistance to small and marginal farmers for purchasing farm tools and implements, thereby improving productivity and income levels.
Dates and Objectives of the Scheme
Launch Details
- Scheme Name: Chief Minister Agriculture Sa Sajuli Yojana
- Year of Launch: 2018–19
- Implementing Department: Department of Agriculture, Government of Assam
- Scheme Type: State Owned Priority Development (SOPD) Scheme
Objectives
- To promote farm mechanization and scientific cultivation practices
- To increase agricultural productivity on limited land resources
- To enhance income levels of small and marginal farmers
- To reduce dependency on manual labor
- To facilitate the transfer of modern agricultural technology to farmers’ fields
- To ensure holistic development of farmers in rural areas
Key Features of the Scheme
- One-time financial assistance of ₹5,000 per farmer
- Coverage of 5 lakh farmers across Assam
- Assistance provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Financial support exclusively for procuring farm tools and implements
- Selection of beneficiaries by District Level Committees
- Implementation under the supervision of a State-Level Monitoring Committee
- Only one farmer per family eligible
- Inclusion of tenant farmers and sharecroppers
Financial Assistance Amount
- Amount Provided: ₹5,000 per beneficiary
- Mode of Payment: Direct Benefit Transfer
- Installments: Single installment
- Purpose: Purchase of farm tools and agricultural implements
Beneficiaries must submit an undertaking stating that the amount will be used solely for agricultural purposes.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible under the scheme, the applicant must:
- Be a resident farmer of Assam
- Belong to the small or marginal farmer category
- Be above 21 years of age
- Be engaged in cultivation for at least three consecutive years
- Hold a valid Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
- Have an active bank account
- Ensure only one beneficiary per family
- Tenant farmers or sharecroppers cultivating at least 1 acre / 3 bighas are also eligible
Reservation Policy
The scheme follows the Assam State Reservation Policy, as detailed below:
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 7%
- Scheduled Tribes (Plains) – ST(P): 10%
- Scheduled Tribes (Hills) – ST(H): 5%
Reservations are applied during beneficiary selection by the District Level Committees.
Distribution of Financial Assistance
- Applications collected village-wise by Agriculture Extension Assistants
- Beneficiary lists prepared by Gaon Panchayats
- Lists compiled and verified by Agriculture Development Officers
- Final approval by District Level Committee
- Approved lists forwarded to the Director of Agriculture
- Amount transferred electronically to beneficiaries’ bank accounts
- Final beneficiary list displayed on district websites and notice boards
Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Step 1:
Agriculture Department releases notification inviting applications.
Step 2:
Applications collected offline by Agriculture Extension Assistants along with bank and mobile details.
Step 3:
Beneficiary selection conducted village-wise.
Step 4:
Gaon Panchayat prepares and forwards the list to the Agriculture Development Officer.
Step 5:
District Level Committee scrutinizes and approves the list.
Step 6:
Reservation norms applied during selection.
Step 7:
Approved list sent to the Director of Agriculture.
Step 8:
Funds transferred electronically to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
Step 9:
Beneficiaries submit an undertaking for proper utilization of funds.
Required Documents
- Aadhaar Card
- Residence Certificate
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Age Proof
- Proof of Agricultural Land or Cultivation
- Bank Account Details
- Ration Card
- Passport Size Photograph
- Mobile Number
- Signed Undertaking
