Small Farm Mechanization Appropriate Technologies and Innovations B

Small Farm Mechanization : Appropriate Technologies and Innovations B. Sanjeeva Reddy bsreddy@crida. in ICAR– CRIDA, Hyderabad – 500 059

• India - 102. 8 million farm holders; 59%(< 1 ha), 21%(1 -2 ha) The proportion of small holders are more in rainfed system. • Timeliness & drudgery reduction are crucial • Energy expense α productivity ? , Relates with soil moisture. • Power availability increased 0. 3 to 1. 85 Kw/ha(1970 – 2012) -Tractor and other machines contribution gone up – 10 to 85%. • However, major portion of power is used by large farmers (> 4 ha). Small farmers 13, 000 & 14, 000 MJ/ha against 16, 500 & 15, 800 MJ/ha of Large farmers in cotton and maize respectively.

• Agril. lobour energy cost with traditional tools : Rs. 16 – 21/MJ Animate energy : Rs. 6 – 8 /MJ Tractor and matching machines : Rs. 3 – 4 /MJ • Dryland cropping system is very complex – Numerous crops, different spacing's and inseparable animal component. • Incidence, depth and severity of resources poorness is higher But, opportunity exists to excel – If able to take a chance: Exgram and redgram • The CHCs / Packaged machines / High cost machines On subsidy benefitted mostly large farmers. --- with fewer machines Ex. Grain Combine, Large MC Thresher

• Sales trends of Power Tillers + Mini Tractors and Small self-propelled machines @ 70, 000 per annum each point out small holders urge for mechanization. • However, availability of matching and durable machinery is a major constraint – Appropriate technology and New innovation play a catalytic role to meet larger population.

Conservation furrow: Traditional Seeder : use as bed former, ridger seeder with paired rows, inter cropping etc. , Machine planted : Paired rows redgram with furrow + cow pea inter croped Conserved rain water in furrows

Intercropping : Crop insurance for dryland production system Complementary for resources utilization Bajra + Red gram: 2: 1 Sorghum + Red gram : 2: 1 SEEDER Maize + cluster bean: 1: 1 setting prescription 1. S P S - TSE 2. S P S - MTSE 3. S S R CP CP R S S -TSE Strip cropping : Capture late rains & biomass Sorghum + Red gram + Cow pea : 4: 2: 2 4. S S R CP - MTSE

Crop residue / biomass : Bane or Boon Biochar kiln

Maize and Sorghum Biomass Shredder : Effective crop residue utilization, Value enhancement Subabool

Dhaincha Rotary shredder: In-situ biomass utilization–mulching, soil conservation

Small farmers : Present system requirement Option 1. Draft pair with matching equipment – Maintenance ? Additional source : 1. 5 hp – PP equipment 5 hp+ Thresher 3 hp winnower fan 5 hp pump – protected irrigation Small farmers engage family labour for most of the operations Option 2. Mini tractor - about 18 hp to meet majority of requirement – Able to serve 4 to 5 small and medium farmers to mechanize various operations. Ø Initial investment : Option 1&2 works out more or less same Flexibility & Comport is more in later option.

ICAR – CRIDA & Other Institutes activities Inclined, Cup and Roller cell mechanism seeders. Excess seed rate in badly prepared , shallow depth and stony soils. Independent double disc furrow opener, horizontal rotor plate planter - up to 6 row • Comparable performance with Pneumatic planter, ease in operation • Suitable for high cost seed crops : cotton okra, sweet &baby corn; dryland system • Undulated fields – Precise depth control

Weed competes with crops for resources • Proper maintenance with appropriate equipment • Herbicide use is avoidable Planter cum Herbicide sprayer • Introduction of side shift hitching system found more useful in horticulture crops. Mini Tractor matching Sprayer and Grass & shrubs slasher

Mini Tractor matching Pump set and Winnower fan Many of small capacity machines can be matched to mini tractor

New Innovations Reaper binder : Successful for wheat and rice crops. Ø Modifications – Sorghum and maize stalk harvesting as fodder Major constrains Ø Quality improvement in machines manufacturing Ø R& D institutes and Industry linkages for small machines up-scaling Ø Strong extension net work to propagate farm mechanization in general and at Small landholders in particular

Thank you