Mini Tractor Scheme — 90% Subsidy for SC & Nav-Buddhist SHGs in Maharashtra
A Maharashtra government subsidy covering 90% of the cost of a mini tractor, trolley and rotator for Scheduled Caste and Nav-Buddhist Self Help Groups, with the group paying only ₹35,000.
- Funding amount
- ₹3.1L (subsidy)
- Funding type
- Subsidy
- Provider
- Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra (Government)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, operates a subsidy programme that puts mechanised farm equipment into the hands of collective enterprises run by Scheduled Caste and Nav-Buddhist families. Instead of backing an individual farmer, it backs a Self Help Group, so the machine is owned and used by the group as a whole.
A group selected under the scheme receives a mini tractor together with its sub-parts — a trolley and a rotator. The equipment package is valued at ₹3,50,000. The state government bears 90% of that cost, or ₹3,15,000, while the group contributes the balance of ₹35,000. Nothing here has to be repaid and no interest is charged; it is a straight subsidy.
Why does the programme exist? Farm machinery has historically been out of reach for these communities, and going without it means lower yields, more manual drudgery and weaker bargaining power when produce is sold. By absorbing almost the entire purchase price, the department removes the biggest barrier to mechanisation. Groups that take part can farm more efficiently, spend less on hired equipment and labour, and move towards steadier household incomes.
Because ownership rests with the collective rather than one person, the advantage is spread across every member family, which is the wider aim: closing an economic gap and supporting inclusive growth in Maharashtra's agricultural economy.
Highlights
- 90% subsidy on a mini tractor package valued at ₹3,50,000
- Government pays ₹3,15,000; the Self Help Group contributes ₹35,000
- Open to Self Help Groups in Maharashtra with at least 80% SC or Nav-Buddhist members
- Tractor is supplied with sub-parts including a trolley and a rotator
- Applications are made offline at the District Social Welfare Office; no fixed closing date
Who can apply
This is a group-based scheme. Applications come from Self Help Groups rather than from individual farmers, and a group must meet all of the following conditions.
- Community composition: at least 80% of the group's members must belong to the Scheduled Castes or the Nav-Buddhist community.
- Applicant's community: the applicant too must be from a Scheduled Caste or Nav-Buddhist background.
- Domicile: the applicant must be a domicile of Maharashtra.
- Own contribution: the group must be in a position to fund 10% of the total equipment cost, that is ₹35,000, towards the mini tractor and its sub-parts.
- Purpose: the equipment is meant for the group's agricultural activity.
No DPIIT recognition or MSME/Udyam registration is listed among the stated conditions.
Mini Tractor Scheme — 90% Subsidy for SC & Nav-Buddhist SHGs in Maharashtra is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Mini Tractor Scheme — 90% Subsidy for SC & Nav-Buddhist SHGs in Maharashtra accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.
What the funding covers
The support is a capital subsidy on farm equipment, not a loan or an investment.
- Equipment package: a mini tractor supplied along with its sub-parts, which include a trolley and a rotator.
- Total value: ₹3,50,000.
- Government share: a 90% subsidy amounting to ₹3,15,000.
- Group share: ₹35,000, which is the remaining 10% and is met by the Self Help Group itself.
There is nothing to repay, and the machinery is owned by the group.
On the ground, this changes what a group can do. Mechanised land preparation, transport and other field operations become possible without a heavy upfront outlay, which reduces dependence on hired machinery and manual labour. Higher productivity and smoother operations give members better output to sell and better access to markets, which is where the income gains come from. The 10% contribution keeps the asset rooted in community ownership rather than treating it as a free transfer.
About the provider
Mini Tractor Scheme — 90% Subsidy for SC & Nav-Buddhist SHGs in Maharashtra is offered by Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, a government body. As a government-backed subsidy, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Mini Tractor Scheme — 90% Subsidy for SC & Nav-Buddhist SHGs in Maharashtra, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
Mini Tractor Scheme — 90% Subsidy for SC & Nav-Buddhist SHGs in Maharashtra is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹3.1L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly does this Maharashtra scheme provide?
It provides a mini tractor and its sub-parts — a trolley and a rotator — to Self Help Groups of Scheduled Caste and Nav-Buddhist members in Maharashtra. The equipment is supplied against a government subsidy rather than as a loan, and the machinery belongs to the group.
How much is the subsidy and how much does the group have to pay?
The equipment package is worth ₹3,50,000. The Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance covers 90% of that, which is ₹3,15,000, and the Self Help Group contributes the remaining 10%, or ₹35,000.
Who can apply for this scheme?
A Self Help Group domiciled in Maharashtra. The applicant and at least 80% of the group's members must belong to the Scheduled Castes or the Nav-Buddhist community, and the group must be able to put in its 10% share of the cost.
Can an individual farmer apply, or is it only for Self Help Groups?
It is structured for Self Help Groups. The eligibility conditions are framed around a group — the 80% community-membership rule and the 10% group contribution — so the application is made in the group's name and the equipment is owned collectively.
Which sub-parts come with the mini tractor?
The package includes the mini tractor plus its sub-parts, which typically cover a trolley and a rotator. These support field operations as well as the transport of produce and inputs.
Is DPIIT recognition or MSME registration required?
No. The conditions listed for this scheme do not include DPIIT startup recognition or MSME/Udyam registration. What matters is the community composition of the group, the applicant's Maharashtra domicile, and the group's ability to contribute its share.
Do we have to repay the subsidy, or give up any equity?
Neither. This is a subsidy, so the ₹3,15,000 government share is not repaid and no equity or ownership stake is taken in the group. The group pays only its ₹35,000 contribution towards the equipment.
What documents are needed with the application?
The form has to be supported by self-attested copies of the usual proofs: identity proof, caste certificate, domicile certificate and the relevant Self Help Group registration documents, along with a passport-sized photograph. Confirm the exact list with the district office when you collect the form.
How do we apply?
Applications are handled offline. Visit your District Social Welfare Office during office hours, collect the prescribed application form, fill in all mandatory fields, attach the required self-attested documents, and submit the completed form to the Assistant Commissioner at the District Social Welfare Office. Details are also available on the department's website at https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/en/.
Is there an application deadline?
The scheme runs on a rolling, always-open basis, so there is no fixed closing date published. The form mentions submitting within a prescribed period, if any, so it is worth asking the District Social Welfare Office about any current cut-off when you pick up the application.
Do we get a receipt after submitting the application?
Yes, you should ask for one. Request a receipt or acknowledgment from the concerned authority that records the date and time of submission and any unique identification number, and keep it safely for follow-up.
Who offers Mini Tractor Scheme — 90% Subsidy for SC & Nav-Buddhist SHGs in Maharashtra?
Mini Tractor Scheme — 90% Subsidy for SC & Nav-Buddhist SHGs in Maharashtra is offered by Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
How do I apply for Mini Tractor Scheme — 90% Subsidy for SC & Nav-Buddhist SHGs in Maharashtra?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
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