The value and effect of farm devices with
moving parts (mechanization) and agro- processing
The efficiency of mechanization may
greatly be judged from the fact that the modern plough is about 200 to 300%
efficient than that of the indigenous plough, efficient in the machinery assist
in the increasing of productivity by about 30% besides, which enables the
farmers to raise a second crop or multi crop thereby making agriculture an
attractive proposition. This has also transformed the way of life in rural
areas into a commercial one instead of being of a subsistence type. There is a great
need to double the food production. This will call for raising more crops in a
year thus limiting the turnaround time. The increased production will require
more use of agricultural inputs and protection of agricultural crops from
biotic and abiotic stresses. This will call for engineering inputs which will
require development and introduction of high capacity, precision, reliable and
energy efficient equipment as well.
It was considered in most regions that
farm mechanization creates unemployment. The myth has been broken and it has
been observed that, agricultural mechanization besides increasing production
and productivity also generates income and employment opportunities for job
seekers. Several studies conducted in different parts of regions have shown
that mechanization has assist in increasing production, productivity,
generation of income and employment.
As discussed in the earlier paragraphs,
one of the major challenges of increasing agricultural production and
productivity is the inadequacy of farm power and machinery in possession to the
farmers. The average farm power availability needs to be increased from the
current 1.15 kW/ha to at least 2 kW/ha to assure timeliness as well as quality
in field operations, undertake heavy field operations such as sub soiling,
chiseling, deep ploughing and summer ploughing. Due to this fact, there is reduction
in the size of the holdings, it is difficult for the farmers to hold the
machinery on their own. As a result, the benefits of mechanization have been
enjoyed by only a section of the farmers who have large farm holdings. These
constraints can be solved by establishing agro service centre as they will be
able to provide the machinery on custom hire basis to these small and medium
farmers as and when it is needed. Increasing production and productivity will
not be the only answer for the upliftment of the farming community.
Agricultural maintenance on farm machinery and
primary processing
The importance of agricultural
maintenance on farm machinery and primary processing has been recognized and
given emphasis to make it a success. It is visualized that an agricultural maintenance
which are set up by agricultural professionals with facilities to provide
service to the farmers in their production, post harvest primary processing
operations and attending to repair and maintenance works of their machinery and
equipment will form the back bone of the farming community to commercialize
their agriculture activities.
Components of investment
The present farm model scheme includes
almost all the basic equipment which is necessary for crop production, right
from tillage operation down to bringing the produce to the farmer's house as
well as the market place for sales. This will also have a facility to process
one or more number of the major agricultural produce which is grown in the
village and other areas to add value for the farmers generally. There will also
be a provision of repair and maintenance of household goods and agricultural
equipment that are being used in the area. The component of investment gives a
general requirement of an agro service centre. However, this is greatly depending
upon the agro climatic conditions and demand of individual centres which are necessary
for changes that can be incorporated into the system.
Tractor, trailer and implements
In tractor, trailer and implements
present model, a 35 hp tractor is considered as it is suited to most of the
soils in most country and is sufficient enough for carrying out maximum of the farm
works. Tractor HP can also be changed if there is any special operation that is
envisaged. The tractors perform a large number of operations, both mobile as
well as stationary. Therefore, along with tractor, provisions of mould board
plough, trailer, cultivator, cage wheel, disc harrow, seed drill and other
accessories are made available.
Power tillers and small tractor
The power tiller is very suitable for
the paddy cultivation as well as for tilling small fields, especially under wet
land conditions. Most of the farm work that the farmer cannot perform with the
assistance of bullocks and tractors in growing paddy; power tiller can; thus it
brings in a new hope to the paddy growing farmers. In the present model, a
power tiller is considered, which apart from performing tillage and puddling
operations can perform a variety of other stationary as well as mobile farm
operations. However, when puddling is not important and small distance haulage
of smaller quantities dominate the custom hire requirements a smaller tractor
of 9-18 HP can be incorporated instead of a power tiller. The necessary changes
in the outlay can also incorporated accordingly in the process.
Accessories of pump set
Large number of farmers suffers due to
the fact that there is lack of water during the critical periods of plant
growth, although water source is available. Availability of a portable pump set
with the agricultural maintenance will be a boon to such farmers to meet their
farm critical needs as at when needed.
Power thresher
The timely collection of clean grains which after harvesting is one of the felt needs of all the farmers to avoid post harvest losses of farm produce. A multipurpose power thresher matching to the HP of the prime mover is envisaged under this circumstance of the farm operation.
Fantastic post about the latest farm equipments!
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