New Delhi, May 31 -- New Delhi: The government has earmarked Rs.8,550 crore in financial assistance this fiscal to help 150,000 small and marginal farmers access farm equipment, as it seeks to boost agricultural mechanisation and curb stubble burning through improved crop residue management.

Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM), including its crop residue management (CRM) component, the government will also support the establishment of 5,000 custom hiring centres and hi-tech hubs, two government officials aware of the matter said, citing the targets set by the finance ministry's department of expenditure for the agriculture ministry. Custom hiring centres and hi-tech hubs are facilities where farmers can rent machinery at afforda...