India’s Farm Mechanization Boom Tractors to Advanced Machinery Driving Agricultural Transformation
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 11)
| Topic: GS3 – Agriculture |
| Context |
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Analysis of the news:
Tractors: Replacing Traditional Bullock Power
- The tractor revolutionized Indian agriculture by replacing bullocks for tasks like plowing, harrowing, sowing, and transportation.
- With an average power output of 41-50 horsepower compared to a bullock’s 1 horsepower, tractors enabled farmers to operate heavier farm implements and increase productivity.
Beyond Tractors: The Expanding Farm Machinery Market
- While India’s tractor market is booming with annual sales of 9 lakh units worth over ₹60,000 crore, farm mechanization extends beyond tractors.
- Machines like rotavators, which perform primary and secondary tillage in a single pass, are gaining traction.
- The farm equipment market is growing at twice the rate of tractor sales, indicating a shift towards specialized machinery.
Growth of the Farm Equipment Industry
- The Indian farm machinery market, excluding tractors, is valued at ₹10,000 crore, with both organized and unorganized players.
- Globally, farm equipment sales surpass tractor sales, whereas in India, tractors dominate.
- This indicates significant potential for growth in mechanization, particularly in response to rising labor shortages.
Rising Demand for Harvesters and Transplanters
- Machines like self-propelled combine harvesters, rice transplanters, and cane harvesters are increasingly replacing manual labor.
- The market for combine harvesters alone is worth ₹2,000 crore annually, with key players such as Kartar Agro, Manku Agro Tech, and John Deere.
- These machines enhance efficiency, significantly reducing labor costs and time required for harvesting and threshing.
Mechanization for Cost Efficiency
- Manual wheat harvesting requires 5-7 laborers per acre, costing over ₹5,000, while a combine harvester can do the same in 25-30 minutes for ₹2,000-3,000.
- Similar efficiency gains are seen in paddy transplanting, with machine usage growing in southern states.
- These cost and time savings are driving increased adoption of mechanization.
Tractor Giants Entering the Farm Machinery Space
- Major tractor manufacturers like Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) are expanding into farm machinery production.
- M&M’s dedicated farm equipment plant in Madhya Pradesh produces harvesters, transplanters, and rotavators, signaling the sector’s rapid industrialization.
Custom Hiring: A Sustainable Mechanization Model
- Due to high costs, many farmers rely on custom hiring services instead of purchasing expensive machinery.
- Entrepreneurs who own and operate machines for multiple farms, represent a viable model for mechanization.
- By charging per acre, these operators recover their investment while making advanced equipment accessible to small farmers.
Conclusion:
- As labor shortages increase and technology advances, farm mechanization is set to grow.
- Custom hiring models, financial support, and increased availability of farm machinery will play a key role in making modern equipment accessible, boosting productivity, and transforming Indian agriculture.
| Practice Question: Farm mechanization in India is expanding beyond tractors, driven by rising labor shortages and the need for higher productivity. Discuss the impact of advanced agricultural machinery on farm efficiency and rural employment. Also, suggest measures to promote inclusive mechanization in small and marginal farms. (250 Words /15 marks) |
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