AS-SMP

The scheme aims to enhance the economic status and productivity of SC/ST farmers by providing high-quality Breeder or Certified I grade seeds for seed production. Beneficiaries receive a 75% subsidy on the cost of the seed for up to 1 hectare of land.

The “Annapurna Scheme” was launched by the Department of Farmers Welfare and Agricultural Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh. The “Seed Exchange Programme” component of the scheme aims to improve the economic status of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe small and marginal farmers by providing them with economic assistance to access improved seeds of high-yielding foodgrain crops, thereby increasing productivity and production. The scheme is implemented by the Directorate of Agriculture through the District Panchayats, Sub-Directorate of Agriculture, and the Senior Agriculture Development Officer. The applications for this scheme are accepted by the Rural Agriculture Extension Officer based on targets set according to the population of the target groups and the district's demand.

• The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
• The applicant must be a small or marginal farmer.

##### Criteria Specific to "Seed Production Programme"

• The applicant must be willing to participate in the Seed Production Programme.
• The applicant's land must fall within the 10 km perimeter of the selected Government Agricultural Farms.
• The applicant must conduct the program in a minimum area of 1/2 acre (0.2 hectare).
• The maximum area for which subsidy is eligible is 1 hectare.
• The applicant must mandatorily register with the Seed Certification Agency.

##### Crops Included

• Kharif crops - Paddy, Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Kodo, Kutki, Ragi.
• Rabi crops - Wheat, Barley.

##### Operational Area

The program is implemented within the 10 kilometer perimeter of 46 specified Government Agricultural Farms. These farms are located across various districts, including Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri, Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Raigarh, Janjgir, Korba, Satna, Sidhi, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Panna, Seoni, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Narsinghpur, Katni, Umaria, Khargone, Dewas, Shajapur, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Bhopal, Sehore, Raisen, Betul, Rajgarh, Jagdalpur, Kanker, Sitapur, Koriya, Mandla, Shahdol, Dhar, and Jhabua.

• Provision of Breeder or Certified I Grade Seeds for seed production.
• A 75% subsidy is provided on the Breeder or Certified Seed.
• The subsidy is applicable for a maximum area of 1 hectare.
• The payment of registration fees required by the Seed Certification Agency, including the application fee, registration fee, inspection fee, and sample fee, is covered from the scheme funds.

##### Conditions

• _The produced seeds must be made available to other Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers under the scheme at a fair price in the subsequent year._
• _An agreement (Anubandh) must be executed between the department and the beneficiary through the Seed Production Committee or Farm Superintendent to ensure seed production, marketing (muktjan), and payment according to policy._
• _The entire agricultural methodology (Sampuurna Krishi Kaaryamaala) must be adopted for higher production._
• _Undesirable plants (Avaanchhaniy Paudhon) must be separated to maintain seed purity._
• _The raw seed produced under the program will undergo grading, processing, stacking, and packing at the Government Agricultural Farm or at the processing center of the Seed Corporation or other institutions if facilities are unavailable at the farm._
• _The expenditure incurred on grading, processing, stacking, and packing of raw seeds produced at Government Agricultural Farms may be met by the Deputy Director of Agriculture from the scheme funds, provided the prepared seed is used only under the scheme._
• _The remaining amount, after deducting the processing expenditure from the prescribed price of the supplied seed, must be deposited in the Government Treasury by challan towards payment to the Government Agricultural Farm._