A Study on Agricultural Mechanization Status under Paddy and Wheat Crop Production in Central Region of Uttar Pradesh, India
Anand Chaudhari *
Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj- 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Sheen C. Moses
Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj- 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The technological progress in agricultural machinery since the mid-1960s has led to a revolutionary increase in crop yield in India. Northern states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (especially the western and central region have experienced rapid growth in the adoption of mechanized farming practices. A study was conducted to evaluate the present state of farm mechanization in four districts of Uttar Pradesh. The average farm power accessible in this area was recorded at 2.05 kWha-1, surpassing the national average (1.9 kW/ha). The lowest mechanization index in wheat crop was observed in plant protection operations (20.6%) whereas highest mechanization index was observed in harrowing operation (94.2%). Similarly, in paddy crop, the lowest mechanization index was observed in transplanting operations (0%) whereas highest mechanization index was observed in harrowing harrowing and puddling operations (99%).With the exception of tasks like transplanting paddy and ensuring pest control in rice and wheat cultivation, almost all stages of crop production employed tractor-driven machinery. The primary obstacle observed in farm mechanization in the region was the lack of timely access to farming equipment.
Keywords: Farm power availability, wheat crop, mechanization index