Farm Mechanization

rawan239

1 week ago

Shift in Focus: India’s farm mechanization is evolving from tractor-dominance to smart machinery, automation, and precision tools.
Farm Mechanization Defined: Utilizing machines (harvesters, modern implements) to boost productivity, efficiency, and reduce reliance on manual labor.
Emerging Technologies:
- Precision Agriculture (GPS, IoT, AI, drones, data analytics for optimized resource use).
- Drones (crop monitoring, pesticide spraying, yield estimation; Drone Didi Scheme for women SHGs).
- Autonomous Machinery (driverless tractors, robotic harvesters).
- Agri Robotics and AI (automation in sowing, irrigation, weeding, harvesting).
Mechanization Levels: Overall ~47% in India. Punjab & Haryana: 40-45%, Northeastern states: negligible. Cereal crops: 50-60%, horticulture: less mechanized.
Global Comparison: Developed nations: >90%, underdeveloped regions (Africa, South Asia): manual labor-dependent. China (60%), Brazil (75%) lead among developing nations.
Significance:
- Input Savings (ICAR): 15–20% on seeds/fertilizers, 5–20% increase in cropping intensity.
- Higher Efficiency: improved labor efficiency, 15–20% reduction in operation time.
- Efficient Land Utilisation: Advanced tilling tools making hard land arable and mechanised irrigation ensuring efficient water use.
Need for Mechanization:
- Rising Food Demand: Population growth, limited land/water, monsoon dependency.
- Less Efficient Agriculture: Low GDP contribution despite large workforce.
- Labor Shortages: Urbanization, MGNREGA.
- Irrigation Challenges: Dependence on rainfed agriculture.
Challenges:
- Small Land Holdings: Average 1.16 hectares.
- Financial Constraints: High machinery costs.
- Poor Equipment Quality: Substandard machinery.
- Regional Disparities: Hilly areas, remote regions.
Way Forward:
- Land Consolidation & Custom Hiring (CHCs).
- Technology & Financial Access (subsidies, low-interest credit).
- R&D, Standardization & Training.
- Inclusive Mechanization (specialized machinery for diverse regions).
Market Growth: Farm machinery market is growing faster than tractors. Rotavators: a ₹2,000 crore market. Agri machinery market (excluding tractors): >₹10,000 crore.
Labor Savings: Combines drastically reduce harvesting time and costs compared to manual labor. Rice transplanters address labor shortages.
Custom Hiring Model: Owner-operators providing harvesting/transplanting services to multiple farmers. This model is more sustainable.