The CHC Farm Machinery App, also known as FARMS (Farm Machinery Solutions), is a mobile application developed by the Indian government to connect farmers with Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) for renting agricultural machinery and implements. The app serves as a platform for peer-to-peer machinery rental, enabling farmers to access high-value and technical equipment without having to purchase it outright.
What is the CHC Farm Machinery App?
The CHC Farm Machinery App is a mobile software that allows farmers to browse available machinery, check rental rates, book equipment, and provide feedback on services. Similarly, CHC owners can register, list their machinery, and manage rentals efficiently. The platform also allows farmers to trade old agricultural machinery, providing a comprehensive solution for equipment management.
The app is particularly beneficial for small and marginal farmers, who often cannot afford expensive machinery like tractors, harvesters, or ploughing equipment.
Why was the CHC Farm Machinery App Launched?
India has a large population of small and marginal farmers, many of whom lack access to mechanized farming tools. Recognizing the challenges these farmers face, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, under schemes like the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), sought to promote machinery sharing through Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs).
The CHC Farm Machinery App was launched to:
- Provide easy access to machinery for farmers at affordable rental rates.
- Promote mechanization across small and marginal farm holdings.
- Increase income and productivity by enabling timely and efficient farming practices.
- Bridge the gap between CHCs and farmers, making machinery hiring seamless and transparent.
As of its launch, over 40,000 Custom Hiring Centres had registered on the platform, offering more than 1,20,000 agricultural machinery units for rental.
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How does the CHC Farm Machinery App Work?
The app is designed for two main types of users:
- Farmers: Who want to hire machinery for cultivation, harvesting, or other farm operations.
- CHC Owners: Who want to list machinery and offer services to farmers.
Key Steps for Farmers:
- Download and Install: The app is free and available on the Google Play Store for Android devices.
- Register: Farmers register on the platform using basic details.
- Search for Machinery: Farmers can filter machinery based on distance, type, or availability.
- Book Machines: After selecting the desired equipment, farmers can book it for a specific time slot.
- Provide Feedback: Post-service, farmers can rate the CHC to help other users make informed decisions.
- Cancel Bookings: Bookings can be cancelled with a minimum time gap, generally three hours prior to scheduled hire.
Key Steps for CHC Owners:
- Register the CHC: CHC owners register their service centre on the app.
- Upload Machinery Details: Include geo-tagged photographs, machinery specifications, and availability status.
- Manage Bookings: Track bookings, accept or reject requests, and maintain service records.
- Receive Feedback: Ratings and reviews from farmers help CHCs improve service quality and visibility.
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What are the Key Features of the CHC Farm Machinery App?
The app offers a variety of features that make it a complete solution for agricultural mechanization:
- Rent Farm Machines: Farmers can easily rent tractors, harvesters, ploughs, and other tools from nearby centres.
- Support from CHCs: Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) make machines available on rent, helping those who cannot afford to buy them.
- Multiple Languages: The app works in many Indian languages so farmers across states can use it easily.
- Location Marking: CHCs share exact locations and photos of their machines, making it simple for farmers to find them.
- Farmer Feedback: Farmers can rate and review services, which improves quality and trust.
- Buy or Sell Used Machines: Farmers can trade old machinery through the app.
- Easy Search: Farmers can search for centres by distance, from as close as 5 km to as far as 200 km.
- Booking Flexibility: Bookings can be cancelled with prior notice, giving farmers flexibility.
- Affordable Access: Farmers get advanced, high-cost machines without having to buy them.
- Linked with Government Schemes: CHCs are set up under government programs like SMAM, RKVY, and Crop Residue Management to promote mechanization.
How does the App Benefit Small and Marginal Farmers?
The CHC Farm Machinery App directly addresses the challenges faced by small-scale farmers:
- Cost Savings: Renting machinery eliminates the need for high upfront investment.
- Time Efficiency: Farmers can hire equipment on-demand, ensuring timely cultivation and harvesting.
- Increased Productivity: Access to modern equipment improves output and reduces manual labor.
- Mechanization Across Farms: Even small holdings can adopt mechanized farming methods.
- Income Generation: By reducing costs and increasing efficiency, farmers can improve profit margins.
This makes the app a game-changer for India’s rural agricultural ecosystem, where the majority of farmers have less than 2 hectares of land.
What is the Role of Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs)?
Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) play a central role in the app ecosystem. These centres are physical hubs where machinery is stored and made available for rent. Their key functions include:
- Renting Out Machinery: Provide access to tractors, harvesters, and implements for farmers.
- Maintenance Services: Ensure machines are in good working condition.
- Skill Development: Train farmers and operators to use machinery safely and efficiently.
- Registration on the App: Upload geo-tagged photographs and details for transparency.
CHCs are usually established under government schemes like SMAM, RKVY, and the Crop Residue Management program, ensuring that farmers can access machinery across rural India.
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How does Geo-Tagging and Multi-Lingual Support Help Farmers?
Geo-tagging allows CHCs to upload precise location information of their machinery and service centres. This helps farmers:
- Find machinery nearest to their location.
- Plan hiring schedules more efficiently.
- Reduce travel time and cost to access equipment.
Multi-Lingual Support:
India is a diverse country with multiple languages. By offering the app in multiple regional languages, farmers from different states can easily navigate and use the platform without language barriers. This ensures inclusivity and broader adoption.
How does Feedback and Rating Work?
After hiring machinery through the app, farmers can provide feedback on:
- Machine quality and condition
- Service provided by the CHC
- Punctuality and professionalism
These ratings help other farmers choose reliable CHCs and encourage CHCs to maintain high standards of service. Positive feedback also boosts the credibility and visibility of CHCs on the platform.
How does the App Help in the Old Machinery Trade?
The app also serves as a marketplace for buying and selling old agricultural machinery. This feature allows:
- Farmers to upgrade to better equipment by selling old machines.
- CHCs are to maintain inventory efficiently and ensure equipment circulation.
- Promotes sustainable use of machinery, reducing waste and improving access to technology.
What are the Government Schemes Linked with CHC Farm Machinery App?
The app aligns with multiple government initiatives to boost agricultural mechanization:
- Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
- Crop Residue Management (CRM) Schemes
How does the Krishi Kisan App Complement CHC Farm Machinery App?
Alongside the CHC Farm Machinery App, the Krishi Kisan App provides:
- Geo-Tagging of Crops: Helps farmers map fields accurately.
- Best Practices Demonstration: Allows farmers to showcase high-quality crops and share techniques.
- Weather Forecasts: Sends timely alerts to farmers to aid decision-making.
- Improved Productivity: By learning from successful farmers, others can adopt modern practices.
Together, both apps create a digital ecosystem for modern agriculture, combining machinery access with knowledge-sharing.
What is the Impact of the CHC Farm Machinery App on Indian Agriculture?
The CHC Farm Machinery App has a significant impact on multiple fronts:
- Increased Mechanization: More farmers can use modern equipment, improving productivity and efficiency.
- Income Growth: Reduced costs and better harvests lead to higher income for farmers.
- Rural Employment: CHCs generate jobs for machine operators and service personnel.
- Sustainable Farming: Old machinery trade and proper equipment management reduce wastage.
- Digital Adoption: Encourages farmers to embrace technology for better farming practices.
This initiative aligns with India’s larger vision of digital agriculture and mechanization.
Key Takeaways
| Feature | Key Points |
| App Name | CHC Farm Machinery App (FARMS) |
| Purpose | Connect farmers with Custom Hiring Centres for machinery rental |
| Target Users | Small and marginal farmers, CHC owners |
| Multi-Lingual Support | Available in multiple regional languages |
| Geo-Tagging | CHCs upload geo-referenced photos for accurate location mapping |
| Booking & Cancellation | Farmers can book machinery and cancel within minimum notice |
| Feedback System | Ratings from farmers help CHCs improve services |
| Old Machinery Trade | Platform for buying and selling used machinery |
| Government Schemes | SMAM, RKVY, Crop Residue Management |
| Impact | Increased mechanization, productivity, and income; promotes digital agriculture |
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Questions Based on CHC Farm Machinery App
- What is the main purpose of the CHC Farm Machinery App?
- a) Sell fertilizers
- b) Rent agricultural machinery
- c) Track crop prices
- d) Provide weather forecasts
- Answer: b
- Which government schemes support the CHC Farm Machinery App?
- a) PMJJBY and PMSBY
- b) SMAM and RKVY
- c) APY and PM-KISAN
- d) National e-Governance Plan
- Answer: b
- What type of farmers benefit most from the app?
- a) Large landholders
- b) Small and marginal farmers
- c) Urban farmers
- d) Export-oriented farmers
- Answer: b
- How can farmers find machinery nearby?
- a) Using postal codes
- b) Geo-tagging and distance filters
- c) By phone calls only
- d) By visiting CHC physically
- Answer: b
- Which additional app complements the CHC Farm Machinery App?
- a) Crop Insurance App
- b) Krishi Kisan App
- c) Soil Health Card App
- d) PM-KISAN App
- Answer: b
- Can farmers cancel machinery bookings?
- a) No
- b) Yes, with minimum notice
- c) Only by CHC approval
- d) Only on weekends
- Answer: b
- What can CHC owners upload on the app?
- a) Machinery photos and geo-location
- b) Crop prices
- c) Fertilizer stock
- d) None of the above
- Answer: a
- How does feedback help the CHC system?
- a) Reduces cost of machinery
- b) Helps CHCs improve service quality
- c) Tracks crop yield
- d) Monitors weather
- Answer: b
- What type of machinery is available on the app?
- a) Tractors, harvesters, ploughs
- b) Only hand tools
- c) Fertilizer sprayers
- d) Irrigation pumps only
- Answer: a
- How does the app impact farmers’ income?
- a) Reduces income
- b) Has no effect
- c) Increases income by improving efficiency
- d) Only benefits CHC owners
- Answer: c
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