Mechanisation of Indian Farming Sector

Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture

Context

• Recent replies in Parliament showed that the overall average mechanisation level for crops stands at 47%, and it will take another 25 years to reach 75-80% mechanisation in India.

About Farm Mechanisation in India

• Farm mechanisation refers to the adoption of machinery and technology in various agricultural operations. It plays a pivotal role in enhancing productivity, reducing manual labour, and ensuring timely and efficient farm practices.
• In India, where agriculture remains a backbone of the economy, mechanisation becomes even more critical.

Current Scenario

• Overall Mechanisation Level: The available data for major crops—such as rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, millets, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, and sugarcane—paints a picture of 47% overall mechanisation.
• While states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab have relatively high mechanisation levels, the northeastern states lag behind significantly.

Crop-Specific Insights

• Wheat: Leading the pack, wheat achieves 69% mechanisation.
• Rice: Not far behind, rice clocks in at 53% mechanisation.
• Others: Maize (46%), pulses (41%), oilseeds (39%), cotton (36%), and sugarcane (35%) are still catching up.
• Sorghum and Millets: These crops lag at 33% mechanisation.

Key Areas of Mechanisation

• Seed-Bed Preparation: This operation is highly mechanised (over 70%) for major crops like rice and wheat. Proper seedbed preparation ensures optimal soil conditions for planting.
• Sowing and Planting: Mechanisation levels vary, with wheat sowing being the most mechanised. Sugarcane and rice transplanting still rely significantly on manual labour.
  • At 40%, there’s room for improvement.
• Weeding and Inter-Culture: Currently mechanised to 32%.
• Harvesting and Threshing: This critical phase stands at 34% mechanisation.
  • Surprisingly, this area remains the least mechanised for most crops, except rice and wheat. Rice and wheat harvesting see mechanisation levels of over 60%, while cotton lags behind.

Global Comparisons

• United States: The U.S. leads the way with a mechanisation level of 95%. Advanced technologies, precision agriculture, and large-scale farming contribute to this impressive figure.
• Brazil: Brazil stands at 75% mechanisation. Its vast agricultural expanses, especially in soybean and sugarcane cultivation, benefit from modern machinery.
• China: China, with 59.5% mechanisation, has made significant strides. Its focus on rice and wheat production, along with government support, drives mechanisation efforts.
  • India’s overall mechanisation level lags behind countries like China (59.5%) and Brazil (75%).
• While India’s farm mechanisation industry is valued at around ₹9,200 crores (as of 2022), the global industry stands at approximately $100 billion. India aims to grow its share to ₹15,000 crores by 2026.

Factors at Play

• Socio-Economic Conditions: Different economic realities influence farmers’ choices.
• Geographical Factors: Terrain, climate, and soil type impact the feasibility of mechanisation.
• Crop Diversity: Different crops have unique requirements.
• Irrigation Facilities: Availability of water plays a role.

Benefits of Mechanisation

• Cost Savings: Farmers save 15-20% on seeds and fertilisers.
• Improved Germination: Mechanization boosts seed germination by 7-25%.
• Time Efficiency: It saves 20-30% of farmers’ time.
• Small and Marginal Farmers: With 86% of farmers owning less than 2 hectares, tailored machinery for small holdings is crucial.

Challenges

• Skills Gap: Many farmers lack awareness about modern technology and machinery management.
• Small Landholdings: India has a large number of small and marginal farmers, making individual ownership of expensive machinery economically challenging.
• Rainfed Agriculture: Half of India’s arable land depends on rainfed agriculture, which requires tailored mechanisation solutions.

Related Government Initiatives

• Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM): Launched in 2014-15, this centrally sponsored scheme aims to promote farm mechanisation. It provides financial assistance for purchasing agricultural machines, establishing Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs), and setting up Farm Machinery Banks (FMBs).
  • Components of SMAM include Hubs for Hi-tech & High-value Farm Equipment, Awareness and Skill Development, and Quality Assurance along with the CHCs, and FMBs.
  • From 2014-15 to 2020-21, over ₹4,556.93 crores have been released under SMAM, resulting in the establishment of more than 27,500 Custom Hiring Institutions and distribution of over 13 lakh agricultural machines.
• Make in India: The government encourages domestic manufacturers to produce agricultural machinery through research and development support, skill development, and simplified rules for testing.
  • Preference is given to domestically manufactured products in public procurement, fostering a level playing field for Indian manufacturers.

State-Specific Initiatives

• States like Rajasthan and Karnataka have also taken steps to promote farm mechanisation. For instance:
• Rajasthan: The state budget includes an agri-tech mission that provides subsidies for various types of equipment, benefiting small and marginal farmers and women farmers.
• Karnataka: The state aims to establish 100 Harvester Hubs and invest in farm mechanisation projects under the Krishi Bhagya scheme.
  • Karnataka emphasises the importance of scientific farming and integrated farming systems to improve farmers’ income.

What more to be done for achieving 75-80% Farm Mechanisation in India?

• Financial Support and Incentives: Offering subsidies or financial incentives for purchasing agricultural machinery encourages adoption. Governments can provide targeted support for small and marginal farmers.
• Indigenous Solutions: Encouraging research and development for locally relevant machinery is essential.
  • ‘Make in India’ initiatives should focus on creating equipment suited to Indian soil conditions, crop types, and farm sizes.
• Precision Farming Technologies: Investing in precision agriculture technologies (such as GPS-guided tractors, drones, and sensor-based systems) can optimise resource use and improve yields.

Infrastructure Development

• Rural Roads and Connectivity: Improved rural infrastructure ensures smooth transportation of machinery to farms.
• Electricity Access: Reliable electricity supply is critical for running electric-powered machinery. Promoting solar-powered solutions can address energy challenges.

Collaboration with Private Sector

• Industry Partnerships: Collaborating with private companies, especially farm equipment manufacturers, can accelerate innovation and technology adoption.
  • Mahindra & Mahindra emphasises the importance of automation technologies, including self-driven tractors, can reduce manual interventions, enhance productivity, and minimise costs for farmers.
  • Mahindra’s recent OJA tractor range incorporates cutting-edge technologies to empower smaller farmers.
• Start-ups and Agri-Tech Companies: Supporting start-ups that focus on mechanisation and precision farming can drive technological advancements.

Customisation for Small Landholdings

• Small and Marginal Farmers: Given that a majority of Indian farmers have small landholdings, customised solutions (e.g., mini tractors, small-scale implements) are essential. Cooperative models for machinery sharing can be explored.
• Affordable Technology: Developing cost-effective machinery suitable for small plots is crucial.

Policy Reforms

• Trade Policies: Ensuring import restrictions on low-quality machinery while promoting domestic manufacturing.
• Incentivising Research: Tax breaks and grants for companies investing in R&D for farm equipment.

Promotion of Agri-Entrepreneurship

• Young Entrepreneurs: Encouraging youth to venture into agri-mechanisation services can create a network of service providers.
• Skill Development Institutes: Establishing institutes that train technicians in farm machinery repair and maintenance.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Performance Assessment: Regularly evaluating the impact of mechanisation programs helps identify gaps and refine strategies.
• Data-Driven Approaches: Using data analytics to understand adoption rates, challenges, and success stories.

Conclusion

• Farm mechanisation is not just about replacing human labour; it’s about bridging efficiency gaps, ensuring food security, and sustaining livelihoods. As India continues its agricultural journey, smart mechanisation will play a pivotal role in shaping a prosperous and resilient farming sector.

Source: BL