Siliguri Launches Cutting-Edge Agricultural Equipment Rental Centres

Recently the State Government from the agriculture department has initiated a Custom Hiring Centre (CHC), which comprises a set of farm machinery, types of equipment, and implements meant for custom hiring by farmers. The main motive is to supply farm machinery to small farmers, marginal farmers, and poor farmers at a lower subsidized rate.

This refers to a collaborative approach in which a team engaged in farming endeavors purchases machinery and other farmers have the opportunity to rent any of these machines from the team at an affordable rate. The government is offering subsidies to establish and operate these centers.
The introduction of CHC in Siliguri in North Bengal has led to an increase in employment opportunities. The increase in the number of CHCs will help more farmers access farm machinery, improve livelihood and safeguard agriculture.

Farmers will be able to access modern types of equipment at lower prices which will help in increasing productivity and profitability.

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Assistant Director of Agriculture Department, Siliguri, Partha Roy told that " This establishment functions as a central hub, wherein approximately 12 young individuals are chosen as primary members for each group. These members take charge of operating the centers. Initially launched in 2016 with a single center, the project achieved tremendous success. Currently, there are 32 similar centers in Siliguri, encompassing the Mahakuma Parishad areas. Each center provides benefits to over 400 farmers, enabling them to enhance their farming practices." They are run by the Farmers Producers Organisation (FPO), Farmers Producers Company (FPC), Farmer Interest Group (FIG), and Farmers Club.

Meanwhile the reports said that the agriculture department facilitates a 40 % subsidy to the group for purchasing farm machinery and further to set up centers. The department has made the following arrangements to get back bank loans at only a 6% rate of interest.

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The Gossaipur Farmers Producers Company Limited recently inaugurated a new center in Gossaipur. This center caters to a group consisting of approximately 475 farmers. It provides a wide range of equipment such as tractors, harvesting machines, threshing machines, and more to farmers. The government has established a set rate chart for hiring these modern machines, ensuring fair and transparent charges for their usage.

- Millennium Post

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