Express News Service
NEW DELHI: A report of a parliamentary committee attached to the agricultural ministry has said that the government has been clueless about farm mechanisation that has impacted the agricultural policy and productivity, adversely affecting farmers’ income. It has not done any formal study to assess the farm mechanisation in the country, the report says.
However, a proposal by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to assess the farm mechanisation has been pending with the agriculture ministry for last two years. The parliamentary standing committee report, released in August, states the government does not know the gaps in the farm mechanisation process. It has negatively impacted agricultural productivity, adding to the economic burden on small and marginal farmers.
The Bhopal-based Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE) of ICAR had sent a proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in 2021. There has been no development so far on it.“A nationwide study is yet to be made to make a proper plan based on the need and gap in farm mechanisations, especially small and marginal farmers,” said CIAE director CR Mehta, adding, “Our institute had sent the proposal to hold a nationwide sample survey in line with the agriculture census.”
India has more than 86% small and marginal farmers having less than 2 hectares of land. These farmers are not in a position to buy huge farm equipment. Also, they do not find appropriate machines for small holdings. It has led to an increase in their investment on seeds, fertilisers and labour costs and time, the report said.
Machines help in improvement in rate of seed germination, saving time, managing weeds, increasing cropping intensity and over-yields. Meanwhile, the report, ‘Research and Development in Farm Mechanization for Small and Marginal Farmers in the Country’, states the overall agriculture mechanisation level of the country is 47%, comparatively lower than that of other developing countries such as China (59.5%) and Brazil (75%).
NEW DELHI: A report of a parliamentary committee attached to the agricultural ministry has said that the government has been clueless about farm mechanisation that has impacted the agricultural policy and productivity, adversely affecting farmers’ income. It has not done any formal study to assess the farm mechanisation in the country, the report says.
However, a proposal by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to assess the farm mechanisation has been pending with the agriculture ministry for last two years. The parliamentary standing committee report, released in August, states the government does not know the gaps in the farm mechanisation process. It has negatively impacted agricultural productivity, adding to the economic burden on small and marginal farmers.
The Bhopal-based Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE) of ICAR had sent a proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in 2021. There has been no development so far on it.
“A nationwide study is yet to be made to make a proper plan based on the need and gap in farm mechanisations, especially small and marginal farmers,” said CIAE director CR Mehta, adding, “Our institute had sent the proposal to hold a nationwide sample survey in line with the agriculture census.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
India has more than 86% small and marginal farmers having less than 2 hectares of land. These farmers are not in a position to buy huge farm equipment. Also, they do not find appropriate machines for small holdings. It has led to an increase in their investment on seeds, fertilisers and labour costs and time, the report said.
Machines help in improvement in rate of seed germination, saving time, managing weeds, increasing cropping intensity and over-yields. Meanwhile, the report, ‘Research and Development in Farm Mechanization for Small and Marginal Farmers in the Country’, states the overall agriculture mechanisation level of the country is 47%, comparatively lower than that of other developing countries such as China (59.5%) and Brazil (75%).
