There will be a strong pitch for increasing use of ‘farm mechanisation’ in the forthcoming ‘Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet, 2016’ (GRAM) scheduled to be held in Jaipur in November. The exposition which is a significant part of the mega agri event will showcase the use of modern farm machinery to increase efficiency and save time and labour. In fact, there will be a dedicated pavilion for Farm Mechanisation wherein various machineries and the benefits of using modern farm mechanisation will be displayed and explained. This was informed by Principal Secretary Agriculture, Government of Rajasthan, Ms. Neelkamal Darbari today.

She further informed that the pavilion will display models of latest farm machineries with detailed specifications explaining the usage of each machine.

It is to be noted that farm machineries are used for land preparation, Post-Harvest Management (PHM) Processing, moisture, grading, conservation, sorting, seed & fertilizer placement, polishing, waxing, plant protection, packaging, harvesting and transportation logistics.

Rajasthan will try and encash the huge opportunity for setting up of ‘Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs)’ for farm machinery implements across the State during ‘GRAM’. The State aims at gradually eliminating dependence on human and animal power in farm activities. Small and marginal farmers are usually unable to own farm machinery on their own or through institutional credit. These CHCs will go a long way in facilitating such farmers for farm machinery.

Furthermore, Rajasthan is also hard-selling the opportunities available in the Plasticulture sector. Plasticulture refers to use of plastics applications in Drip Irrigation Systems, Sprinkler Irrigation Systems, mulching low tunnel cultivation and Poly houses etc. Around 1.70 lakh ha of land is under drip and mini sprinkler irrigation in Rajasthan. Around 14 lakh ha of land is under sprinkle irrigation. It has been observed that usage of Plasticulture improves yield by up to 50-60 percent, water savings up to 60-70 percent, prevention of weed growth and fertiliser savings up to 30-40 percent.

Rajasthan has seen a significant shift towards farm mechanisation over the recent years with installation of sprinklers, water pumps, and usage of tractors, tillers, etc. It has also witnessed strong tractor sales growth over the years and already accounts for 9% of India’s total tractor sales. The state aims at gradually eliminating dependence on human and animal power in farm activities with a view to removing drudgery and making farming more remunerative for the next generation technically savvy farmers.

Jaipur, 12 October 2016