Kolkata: Bengal govt has allocated a record Rs 407 crore in subsidy for its agricultural mechanisation scheme in 2026-27, aiming to boost the rural economy, promote technology-driven farming and create employment opportunities for rural youth.Agriculture minister Dudh Kumar Mondal said the allocation was the highest under the scheme. “The govt has steadily increased financial support for technological development in agriculture. The allocation, which was Rs 1.14 crore in 2023-24, has now increased to Rs 407 crore,” he said.Agriculture department plans to set up at least 500 custom hiring centres and 1,085 farm machinery banks or hubs across the state. It will also distribute 100 advanced agricultural drones, benefiting around 67,585 farmers. Another 500 solar pump sets will be installed under a state-funded initiative to promote alternative energy sources.Applicants must be registered under Krishak Bandhu (New) or PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi and aged between 18 and 70. Govt and semi-govt employees are ineligible.Beneficiaries will be selected through a computerised lottery, with the process videographed. Subsidies will be transferred after purchase and geo-tagging of machinery.
