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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 01st April 2025

Home / UPSC / Current Affairs / India’s farm mechanisation is moving beyond tractors

India’s farm mechanisation is moving beyond tractors

Why in News?

The growing demand for advanced agricultural machinery in India, beyond traditional tractors, signals a shift towards diversified mechanisation solutions aimed at enhancing farming efficiency and addressing labor shortages.

India’s farm mechanisation is moving beyond tractors

Introduction

  • Recent shifts in India’s agricultural landscape reveal a growing demand for advanced farming machinery, indicating that the focus is no longer solely on tractors.
  • This transformation in the farm equipment market is driven by a need for more efficient and diverse machinery to address changing farming practices and labor shortages.
  • While tractors have long been synonymous with farm mechanisation, a noticeable trend is emerging, with machinery like harvesters, rotavators, and rice transplanters taking center stage in modern farming practices.
  • This diversification points to the growing complexity and specialization of agricultural machinery needs in the country.

The Evolution of Farm Mechanisation in India

  • Historically, tractors have been the backbone of Indian farm mechanisation, aiding in activities such as ploughing, tilling, and transport. However, as agricultural practices evolve, farmers are increasingly adopting newer, more efficient machinery to handle diverse tasks.
  • The rise of non-tractor farm machinery highlights the need for solutions that address specific challenges in crop production, from planting to harvesting.

Key Machinery Reshaping the Indian Agricultural Landscape

  • Rotavators: These machines, used for soil preparation, are gaining significant popularity in Indian farming. They help in breaking down soil clumps, enhancing soil aeration, and improving seedbed preparation.
  • Harvesters: The demand for harvesters has surged due to their ability to significantly reduce labor costs and improve harvesting efficiency, especially during peak seasons. They also allow farmers to harvest crops like wheat, paddy, and maize quickly.
  • Rice Transplanters: These machines are increasingly used to tackle the labor shortage in paddy cultivation. By automating the transplanting process, rice transplanters reduce the time and manpower needed for planting rice seedlings, thus improving overall productivity.

The Growing Market for Non-Tractor Farm Machinery

  • India’s agricultural machinery market, valued at around Rs 10,000 crore, has seen a significant shift with the rising demand for machines beyond tractors. The market is being driven by the need for equipment tailored to different agricultural tasks, including land preparation, sowing, and harvesting.
  • Companies like TAFE, Escorts, and Mahindra are expanding their portfolios to include more specialized machinery. Their focus is shifting towards delivering a variety of tools that cater to the growing needs of the modern farmer.

The Role of Custom Hiring in Expanding Mechanisation

  • Cost-Effective Approach: Custom hiring is emerging as a viable option for farmers who cannot afford to purchase expensive machinery. Through this system, farmers can access equipment for specific tasks without the financial burden of ownership.
  • Case Example: Raju Solanki from the village of Rajpur in Haryana has successfully invested in a harvester, renting it out to neighboring farmers. This approach has proven to be profitable and serves as a model for others to follow.

Addressing Challenges in Farm Mechanisation

  • Despite the rapid growth in farm machinery usage, challenges such as high equipment costs and lack of sufficient financing remain. Many farmers still struggle to afford expensive machinery, hindering the pace of mechanisation.
  • Government schemes, subsidies, and financial aid can play a crucial role in making mechanisation accessible to a larger segment of the farming community, especially in rural and underdeveloped regions.
Barriers to Farm Mechanism Adoption

Future Growth and Opportunities in Agricultural Machinery

  • Expansion of Subsidy Programs: Increasing government support through subsidies and easy financing options could make machinery more affordable and accessible for small and marginal farmers.
  • Innovation in Machinery Design: The development of more affordable, energy-efficient, and region-specific machinery is vital to make mechanisation viable across diverse farming regions in India.
  • Growth of Custom Hiring Services: The rise of custom hiring services will allow more farmers to access advanced machinery without the burden of ownership costs, further accelerating the adoption of farm mechanisation.

Conclusion

  • The shift towards diversified farm machinery in India reflects a growing recognition of the need for more specialized and efficient farming tools.
  • As the demand for non-tractor machinery increases, the agricultural sector is moving towards a more technologically advanced and productive future.
  • For this transformation to be sustainable, greater focus on affordability, government support, and innovative solutions is necessary.
  • By addressing these factors, India can unlock the full potential of farm mechanisation, ensuring enhanced productivity and growth in the agricultural sector.

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