Entrepreneurship Scope in Custom Hiring of Agricultural Implements & Machinery INTRODUCTION Assam is one of the under developed regions of the country. Like in other sectors, the state is also lagging behind in the agricultural sector. Though Assam is gifted by enormous natural resources and crop production is the major agricultural activity here, but these resources are not being fully utilized due to inadequacy of critical farm inputs. This has resulted lower level of production and productivity in Assam. This has been reported several times in the past. Farm power is one of the critical inputs. In terms of total power availability, Assam has 0.56 kw/ha as against 2.96 kw/ha for Punjab as well as 1.02 kw/ha for India as a whole (Table 1). The tractor population in Assam is only 2 per thousand hectares as against 82.5 per thousand hectares for Punjab. The figure for India is 12.2 per thousand hectares. Animal source of farm power, which has limited capacity, still dominates the agricultural of Assam. Table 1 Availability of farm power in some states of India (1995-1996) State Available power, kw/ha Animate Mechanical Electrical Total Assam 0.47(85.1%) 0.08(13.9%) 0.01(1.0%) 0.56(100%) Andhra Pradesh 0.37(31.8%) 0.25(21.4%) 0.55(46.8%) 1.18(100%) Punjab 0.13(4.4%) 2.19(74.0%) 0.64(21.6%) 2.96(100%) UP (Undivided) 0.33(22.3%) 0.98(66.2%) 0.17(11.4%) 1.48(100%) Haryana 0.12(5.1%) 1.75(75.4%) 0.45(19.5%) 2.33(100%) West Bengal 0.53(44.1%) 0.60(49.8%) 0.07(6.1%) 1.21(100%) Kerala 0.21(24.6%) 0.15(17.9%) 0.50(57.5%) 0.86(100%) Tamil Nadu 0.43(21.2%) 0.53(26.4%) 1.05(52.4%) 2.00(100%) All India 0.27(26.9%) 0.46(44.6%) 0.29(28.5%) 1.02(100%) The chief causes of low agricultural productivity in Assam are reported to be due to lower level of critical inputs including power availability. The potentiality of agricultural sector to generate employment has been realized in Assam in recent past. Appropriate mechanization is must for Agricultural development and employment generation in Assam. Custom hiring service of farm machinery, particularly the high capacity farm machinery has a big role to play in near future. The basic knowledge on farm mechanization is required for operating a farm machinery custom hiring service. Therefore, this discussion will highlight different aspect of farm mechanization with reference to the state of Assam. AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION Definition Use of improved tools/implements/machines for farm operations in order to improve the quality of work Maintain timeliness of operations Reduce drudgery Reduce cost of operations Maintain environmental sustainability
Is the farm mechanization. Hand tools, animal drawn implements, tractor/power tiller/engine driven machinery and self-propelled machinery, which are advantageous over the traditional ones, are the inputs of farm mechanization. The concept of agricultural mechanization is dynamic and situation specific. Though agricultural tractor is one of the universally used farm machines but mere tractorization cannot be described as farm mechanization. AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION IN INDIA Like the variations in other sectors, there exist distinct regional variations of agricultural mechanization amongst the states of India. However, barring few states including the NE states, the progress of farm mechanization in India could be divided into three distinct phases. These are: Pre-Green Revolution Era (1947-1965); Green Revolution Era (1965-1975) and Post-Green Revolution Era (1975 on wards). The characteristics features of these phases are presented in Table 2. The increase in land productivity is attributed to inputs of quality seeds, chemical fertilizer and never the less farm implements and mechanical power. The mechanization programme in Indian agriculture started with the import of tractors, power tiller, harvesting machine during the green revolution era. But it was soon realized hat mere dependence on imported machines couldn t support & sustain farm mechanization. The result of this realization was the growth of farm machinery manufacturing industry in India. Today about 8,000 number of organized farm machinery manufacturers are supporting the mechanization programme throughout the country (Table 3). Unfortunately, except the traditional village craftsmen, there is no organized machinery manufacturer in our state. Some commonly used farm machinery in India has been described in Table 4. Besides these commercially developed farm machinery, new farm machinery are also developed as a result of the effort of research organizations. Table 2 Progress of Agricultural mechanization in India. Pre-Green Revolution Era (1947-1965) Farming by traditional methods Low productivity (058 t/ha/year) Increase in production was attributed to increase in cultivated area Farm power availability is about 0.27 kw/ha Share of animate power sources was 98% to 88% Green Revolution Era (1965-1975) High yielding variety, fertilizer, chemicals inputs Productivity increased (1.14 t/ha/year) Need of timeliness Introduction of improved farm machines Farm power availability is about 0.47 kw/ha Share of animate power sources was decreased from 88% in 1965 to 62% in 1975 Post-Green Revolution Era (1975 onwards) Use of more scientific methods Present productivity level is about 2.14 t/ha/year Farm power availability is also increased up to 1.2 kw/ha The share of animate power has been decreased from 62% in 1975 to 24% in 1997.
Table 3. Status of farm machinery industries in India Equipment manufactures Number of Units Agricultural tractor 19 Power tiller 2 Agricultural tools and implements 6980 Combine harvester 15 Reaper harvester 45 Tractors parts and accessories of agricultural machinery 546 Earth moving machinery and parts 188 Diesel engine 200 Rice processing machinery 300 Dairy and food industries 500 Village craftsmen 1 million Table 4. Some Commonly used Agricultural Machinery in Indian Farming and their brief specification. (a) Land leveling Implement/machine Size Power required Capacity/Output Float-cum-scoop 105 A pair of bullocks 2 ha/day The capacities Float 172 Tractor 20 hp and 6 ha/day depend on the soil Leveler 230 Tractor 35 hp and 7 ha/day type and the extent of Super leveler 300 Tractor 35 hp and 10 ha/day undulation in the field (b) Ploughing & Seedbed preparation Implement/machine Size Power required Capacity/Out put Mould-board plough 15-20 Pair of bullocks 0.3-0.4 ha/day For medium/heavy soils Mould-board plough 33-35, 3- Tractor 30 hp 1.6-2.0 ha/day bottom and Mould-board plough 30 x 2 Tractor 20 hp 1.0-1.4 ha/day bottom and Disc harrow 0.75-0.9 m Pair of bullock 1 ha/day Through pulveriza-tion cutting and Spike tooth (Bar harrow) 0.75 to 1.0 Pair of bullock 1 ha/day Incorporation of stubbles and weeds Disc harrow 1.2 m Tractor 30 hp and 2.4-2.8 ha/day Two operations Disc harrow-cumpuddler 1.08 m 1 pair of bullock 0.7-0.8 ha/day
Cultivator: 9 tines 2.07 m Tractor 30 hp 2.8-3.2 ha/day Cultivator: 13 tines 2.92 m Tracator 30 hp 3.9-4.9 ha/day and Cultivator with 2.27 m 30 hp tractor 2.8-3.2 ha/day pulversing roller cum puddler: 9 tines Cultivator with 2.51 m 40 hp tractor or 3.2-4.0 ha/day pulversing roller cum puddler: 11 tines Cultivator with 2.92 m 50 hp tractor or 3.9-4.9 ha/day pulversing roller cum puddler: 13 tines One/two operations saves fuel and time (c) Pudding of rice fields Name of Implement/machine Size Power required Capacity/Outp ut Straight-angular blade puddler 83 1 pair of 1.0 ha/day bullocks Paddy-disc-harrow 2.5 m Tractor 30 hp 5.0 ha/day 9 tine Cultivator with rotary 1.8 m Tractor 30 hp 4.5 ha/day pudding attachment Disc harrow-puddler 1.08 m 1 paid of 0.8 ha/day bullocks Initial ploughing Is required (d) Transplanting Name of Implement/ machine Paddy transplanter Size Power required Capacity / Output 1.0 m Manually operated 0.25-0.30 ha/day The operator can also is it on the seat provided. Machine uses only mat type nursery Two persons are required for machine operation including nursery uprooting and transportation (e) Sowing Name of Implement/machine Size Power required Seed-cum-fertilizer drill Single row A pair of bullocks Seed-cum-fertilizer drill Five rows Tractor 20 hp Seed-cum-fertilizer drill Nine rows Tractor 35 hp Seed-cum-fertilizer drill cum 2 or 3 Pair or Planter rows bullocks Capacity/Outp ut 0.25 ha/day For hybrid maize and cotton 1 ha/day 2.5 ha/day 1 ha/day For Wheat
Seed-cum-fertilizer drill cum Planter 7 or 9 rows Tractor 35 hp Tractor drawn sugar-cane 2 rows Tractor 30-45 planter hp Bullock drawn ridger Single row A pair of bullocks Tractor drawn ridger Two row Tractor 35 hp 4.6 ha/day 1.5 ha/day Use sets of 20-1 length 1 ha/day 2.5 ha/day (f) Intercultural operation Name of Implement/machine Size Power required Capacity/Outp ut Hand hoes 10-12 Manual 0.2-0.3 ha/day For small plots Adjustable hand-hoe 9-34 Manual 0.1-0.2 ha/day Adjustable Wheel hoe 24-38 Manual 0.2-0.3 ha/day Cultivator (hand hoe) 30-63 A pair of 0.5-1.0 ha/day bullocks Paddy weeder 10-15 Manual 0.15 ha/day For paddy crop only Kasola type hoe 10-15 Manual 0.15 ha/dat V-blade hoe 7.5-9.5 Manual 0.15 ha/day (g) Spraying and dusting Name of Implement/machine Size Power Capacity/Outp required ut Knapseck sprayer with low-volume 16 litre Manual 0.06-0.08 Field crops nozzle ha/day Foot sprayer with two way delivery attachment Foot operated 0.14 ha/day Orchard crop Shoulder mounted power-sprayercum-duster 1.5 hp engine 0.20-0.21 Field crops Tractor-mounted power sprayer 6.5 m 20 hp tractor operated 2 ha/hr Field crops Tractor-mounted sprayer 9 m 30-35 hp 2.5-3.5 ha/hr Multipurpose tractor (h) Harvesting Name of Implement/machine Size Power required Capacity/Ou tput Groundnut-digger Shaker 1.22 m 30 hp tractor 0.27 ha/hr For digging, shaking and windowing of
Vertical conveying reaper windrower 1.9 m 35 hp tractoroperated Tractor drawn PTO operated combine 1.5-2.1 m 35 hp tractor Tractor drawn PTO operated 2.7 m 45 hp tractor Self propelled combine 4.26 m 105 hp engine 2.0-2.5 ha/day 0.24-0.32 ha/hr 0.4 ha/hr 1.0 ha/hr groundnut For machine operation including the crop collection and transportation Adjustments on machine should be made to minimize losses from cutter bar, rack cylinder and shoe (i) Threshing grain crops Name of Power required Capacity/Outp Implement/machine ut Japanese-type-pedal Thresher Manually operated 2.5-3.0 q/hr For small farmers and hilly regions Regular power thresher and windrower Engine-operated 3.5 hp 300-400 kg/hr (Paddy) Power tiller can also be used Power-operated thresher 20-30 hp tractor 400-600 kg/hr MECHANIZATION MODEL FOR ASSAM The uniqueness of our state in several aspects, including land situation, holding size, socio-economic condition, infrastructure facility, necessitates a unique farm mechanization programme for the region. The burning problem of unemployment of this region is to be adequately addressed by appropriate farm mechanization. The poor economic condition of the farmers, fragmented land holding, lack of local manufacturing & repairing facility, poor rural transport facility coupled with inaccessible farm/field, uncertain power supply, undulating topography are some of the inherent constraints of the state in the path of farm mechanization. However, seeing the agrarian nature of the society loaded with acute socio-political problems root cause of many of which seem to be unemployment, agricultural development through appropriate farm mechanization is essential for the state. The animate sources of farm power predominates existing farming in Assam. Apart from low work output and drudgery involvement, some of the farm operations cannot be completed using animate sources of farm power. This necessitates the sue of mechanical sources of farm power. The technology requirements for mechanization will spatially vary within the region, but the basic structure should possess the following action components.
Mechanization strategy for Assam Action Increasing cropping intensity through profitable crops selection Examination of technical and economic viability is essential criteria. community use C multi-use M & regular repair & maintenance R CMR is machine specific and it can reduce the cost of operation Decide why to use the new technology : to reduce drudgery R to grain more profit G To protect natural resources P Critical selection of the farm machinery on the basis of amount and nature of work performance test results availability of spare parts repair maintenance facility Tractor, power tiller IC engine procurement from reputed manufacturers strictly on the basis of performance test results (Appendix II) Develop farm machinery manufacturing units locally and ensure quality production. Modification of the existing machinery may also be needed to suit local conditions. Develop agro-processing units locally for value addition of the agricultural produce. This will enhance land productivity, ensure full utilization of the resources and justify the use of machine The specification, performance results, manufacturer recommendation etc. are tools to examine technical feasibility. On the other hand, economic analysis should be made based on purchase price of the machine, prevailing rate of bank interest, useful life of the machine, annual use, repair maintenance, fuel & labour cost. The cost of operation is determined considering the work output of the machine. The RGP analysis is situation specific and should be invariably made. The machine should not prove as burden. A region with poor road communication, lack of technical man power these are important factors. Lighter machine for easy transportation is preferred over a heavier machine. The test results performed under reputed institutes provide an opportunity to compare the performance of similar machines. Employment generation and development of appropriate machinery to suit local condition will be ensured. Employment generation and purchasing power of the farmer will be increased. Any fear of the labour displacement by mechanization will be removed.
CONSIDERATION FOR CUSTOM HIRING SERVICE OF FARM IMPLEMENTS Selection of machinery Size Make Care and maintenance As per manufacturer recommendation Lubrication Rust prevention Tightening of nut-bolts Attention for belts, bearings Cooling Economic analysis Cost per unit of work Fixed cost (does not depend upon the hour of use) Depreciation Interest on investment Insurances Taxes Housing Variable cost (depends upon the use hour) Repair and maintenance cost Fuel cost Lubrication cost Labour cost Monitoring machines performance Rate of work done Effective field capacity Theoretical field capacity Field efficiency Rate of fuel consumption Other tips Spare parts stock Optimum load Optimum operating conditions Consult field performance data of a commercial tractor Field performance data of a commercial tractor MF-1035 DI Depth, Field capacity, ha/h Fuel Consumption, I/h Ploughing 15 22 0.112 0.168 2.97 3.77 Cultivation 7 11 0.634 1.314 3.15 4.68 Harrowing 7 9 0.616 0.935 3.62 4.59 *****