The Centre has released Rs 553 crore to states under a scheme to promote mechanization in the agriculture sector.
The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) was launched in April 2014 with an aim to have inclusive growth of farm mechanization to boost productivity.
“In the year 2020-21, budget of Rs 1,033 crore has been provided for the scheme, out of which Rs 553 crore has been released to state governments,” an official statement said.
The agriculture ministry pointed out that paddy straw burning is one of the major problems in the northern region of the country causing pollution.