AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY

Agriculture in India is unique in its characteristics 250 different crops cultivated in different climate regions. It is one of the most important sectors of the Indian economy. Contributing to 18.5% of the national income about 15% of total export and supporting two-third of the work force. Agriculture engineering inputs

have played an important role in increasing the production and productivity through appropriate mechanization. Input for production and post-production processes are necessary for timely field operations.

The growth in adoption of agricultural machinery in the country has been possible due to their local manufacture. The manufacture of agricultural machinery in India is under taken by village artisans, tiny units, small scale industries, organized medium and large scale sector. Organized sectors manufacture sophisticated machinery such as tractors, engines, milling and dairying equipment. Traditional hand tools and bullock drawn implements are largely fabricated by village craftsmen (blacksmith and carpenters) and power operated machinery by small-scale industries. An analysis has been made in this paper to review the status of manufacture of agricultural machinery, after sale services, level of adoption of mechanization inputs by the farmers so as to plan for future mechanization.

The Indian farmers gradually responded to farm mechanization technology especially after Green revolution in 1960s. High yielding varieties with assuredirrigation and higher rate of application of fertilizer gave higher yields and better economic returns. This enabled the farmers to start adopting mechanization. The development of power thresher with integrated Bhusa making attachment and aspirator blower and mechanical sieves for grain and straw separation in 1960s was the major achievement of Indian engineers which was widely adopted by our farmers. Gradually demand for other farm machinery such as reaper and combine harvester also increased. Demand of tractors in the country was met through importation until 1961 when Eicher Tractors Ltd. and Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd started manufacturing tractors.

Agriculture machinery and implements are an important factor in agriculture production and productivity enhancement. There are direct as well as indirect effects of agricultural machinery and implements on productivity through better use of other inputs more efficient and timely completion of agricultural operations and increase in cropping intensity. But the adoption of machines is the result of many factors at the of level like size of land holding, irrigation, labour, credit and risk.