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LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY PAPERS—AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE–XII : WESTERN PLAINS AND

Long-term Strategies and Programmes for Mechanization of Agriculture in Agro Climatic Zone–XII : Western Plains and Ghat

Dr S.J.K. Annamalai Principal Scientist and Head CIAE Industrial Extension Centre,

1. NAME OF AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE : Western Plains and Ghat region 2. STATES UNDER THIS ZONE : , , , and

223 STUDY RELATING TO FORMULATING LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY FOR EACH AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE/STATE IN

3. SUB-AGRO CLIMATIC ZONES WITH THEIR 3.4 Hilly Sub Region CHARACTERIZATION Availability of land for agricultural purposes in these This is an important zone for plantation crops and hilly areas is low. Only around a third of the area is . It runs along the west cost covering parts of Tamil available for agricultural purposes. Nearly half of the Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa with a area is under forest cover. Land productivity is high since variety of soil types and rainfall patterns. There are four the cultivation here is mostly of high value crops. sub-zones. The coastal hilly region covers the north The region includes the districts of Shimoga, coastal areas of , Goa and Uttar Kannad. The Chikmagalur and Kodagu of Karnataka, Idukki and coastal midland extends along the Kerala State coast. Wayanad of Kerala and Nilgiri from Tamil Nadu. It The third sub-zone comprises of and Kottayam receives about 2,500 mm of rainfall per annum and the belt of Kerala. Finally, the hilly region has six districts climate is mostly humid to perhumid. from Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 4. GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY OF THE ZONE 3.1 Coastal Hilly Sub-Region WITH BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE This region, more famous for its industrial activities ZONE in the Bombay belt and Financial markets inn; Bombay is poor in agricultural development. Only 20% This zone is a high rainfall zone with undulating of the land is cultivated and only four per cent of the terrain and the rainfall in this zone is ranging from 3,000– cultivated area is irrigated. Agricultural activities depend 4,500 mm in coastal plains and from 900–2,000 mm in almost, entirely upon rainfall. The sub-zone receives the hilly regions. There are two distinct sub zones, about 3,640 mm of rains annually. Its climate is semi- namely, coastal low land and up lands. The major crops arid to dry sub-humid. The soil is red, laterite and coastal in the coastal low lands are coconuts, paddy, arecanut, alluvial soil with loam and clay loam soil texture and tapioca, cashew nut, ginger and turmeric and other acidic reaction. cereals and pulses and in the uplands and hilly region, In spite of the low irrigation support, land productivity plantation crops like tea, , rubber and spices like is quite high. The sub-zone covers the districts of Thane, cardamom, pepper etc are grown. Agriculture contributes Greater Bombay, Raigarh, and Sindhudurg most to the income in primary sector in this zone. Export from Maharashtra, Uttar Kannad from Karnataka and earning crops like tea, coffee, spices, cashew and some Goa. marine products from this zone also contribute considerably for our country’s foreign exchange revenue. 3.2 Coastal Midland Region The soils in this zone are generally laterite, coastal alluvial and loamy types. There are some specific This region is essentially based in Kerala. It also problem areas in Kerala where flooding and inundation includes Dakshin Kannad in the north from Karnataka takes place frequently during heavy , damaging and Kanniyakumari from Tamil Nadu in the south. The standing crops. Kerala has typical hills and valleys districts from Kerala are Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, intercepted by streams and rivers and back waters , Ernakulam, Thrissur, , providing inland water transport. Irrigation potential in , Kinnaur and Kasaragod. The area produces the southern parts of the zone is found to be exploited high value crops. More than 60% of the land is sown well but in the northern parts, namely Goa and Konkan and about 22% of the net sown area is irrigated. Forests regions, the irrigated area is much less. Though the cover about a quarter of the land. The area receives about rainfall has been abundant in this region, most of it flows 3,000 mm of rains, the climate is humid to perhumid. to the and rain water storage systems are The soil type is classified as coastal alluvium sandy loam. inadequate. Marine fisheries is well developed in this zone and there are many marine fish processing 3.3 Midland Sub Region industries located in this zone. This sub-zone spans across Kottayam and Tourism is another industry which has grown very Pathanamthitta, and Palakkad. In many respects this well in this zone. The labour wages are high in this zone region is similar to the coastal midland region. However, compared to other zones and the labour for doing hard it receives much lesser rainfall—around 2,400 mm. The agricultural work is not available sufficiently, causing climate is humid to perhumid and the soil type is slackness and lack of interest for agriculture among classified as clay to clay loam and lateritic. farmers. Most of the farmers in Kerala are part-time

224 LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY PAPERS—AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE–XII : WESTERN PLAINS AND GHAT REGION farmers. The zone is well developed in terms of Maharashtra infrastructure facilities and cash flow. In spite of this, Laterite soil is widely found in southern Konkan the stage of agricultural mechanization is still to be coastal zone of Maharashtra. Along the sea coast in a developed to the desired level. narrow belt, coastal saline and coastal alluvial soil occurs. There are a few success stories of mechanization also The predominant type of soils occurs in the in this zone. The self propelled transplanter for paddy and the northern part of is coarse and introduced under special scheme to farming groups in shallow. Medium black type soils occurs in patches in Palakkad and Thrissur districts of Kerala has become the northern part of the zone. Southern part of Raigad very successful that the farmers are able to realize 10– district has laterite soil. 15% more yield in crop. The simplified mat type nursery for paddy has been well adopted and even (b) Important crops women are raising the nursery and operating the rice The important crops grown in this zone are Paddy, transplanter on custom hiring basis. Tapioca, Sugarcane, tree crops like Coconut, Arecanut During peak season, combine harvesters owned by and Cashewnut, Spices and Plantation crops, viz. Pepper, operators in Tamil Nadu are brought to Small cardamom, Ginger, Turmeric, Tea, Coffee , Rubber in Kerala and are found to be performing successfully and . Mango are important Orchard crops of Konkan on custom hiring basis. region. 5. OPERATIONAL LAND HOLDING PATTERN 7. CLIMATE AND ANNUAL RAINFALL BY MAJOR SIZE GROUP The holdings in this zone are highly fragmented. 93.96 Goa and 81.43% of number of holdings are found to be Normal annual rainfall 3,149 mm marginal with average marginal holding size at 0.15 and 0.35 ha respectively in Kerala and Goa. In the hilly Kerala districts of Tamil Nadu, 77.39% of holdings are marginal Rainfall distribution in Kerala is bimodal. July is the and small. The highly fragmented land holdings and the most rainy month in the northern districts and southern undulating topography of this zone has restricted the parts receive both South West and North East monsoon. adoption of agricultural machinery. Highest annual rainfall of the region is around 5,883.8 6. IMPORTANT SOIL TYPES AND CROPS mm is recorded at Neriamangalam (Ernakkulam district) and lowest (1,651.3 mm) at Chinnar (Idukki district). (a) Soil types Tamil Nadu Kerala The maximum annual rainfall received had been 2,189 Red loam, laterite, coastal alluvial, riverine alluvium, mm and minimum of 1,118 mm in the hilly region of onatukara alluvium, brown hydro morphic, saline hydro Nilgiris. Rainfall is well distributed in high rainfall zone morphic, kutatnnad, black soils and forest loam are major of Tamil Nadu throughout the year with January and soil types in Kerala. February as the lean months. Summer shower begins during March and continue in April, May and accompany Tamil Nadu by the south west monsoon in June–July. In , three types of soil such as laterite, Karnataka dark brown and red soils exists whereas hydrological soil group ‘B’ with moderate infiltration and moderate The hilly zone of Karnataka receives only 904–1,695 runoff potential covers 52% of the district in Kanya- mm annual rainfall whereas the coastal zone of western kumari district. The remaining area of 48% is constituted ghat region receives about 3,011–4,694 mm annual by soil group ‘C’ with slow infiltration and moderate rainfall. run off potential. 8. POPULATION AND POPULATION DENSITY Karnataka OF THE ZONE In the hilly zone of Karnataka, Red clay, loamy soils Kerala has a higher population density of 819 per occur whereas the coastal zone is occupied by the red sq.km. while it is 363 in Goa, 275 in Karnataka and 314 laterite and coastal alluvial soil types. in Maharashtra. The literacy rate in Kerala is the highest

225 STUDY RELATING TO FORMULATING LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY FOR EACH AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE/STATE IN INDIA in the country at 90.92%, and 82.32% in Goa, 77.27% activity. Rice is the only annual crop grown extensively. in Maharashtra and 73.04% in Karnataka. The population Tapioca is grown as the main rainfed crop. Coconut, growth has slipped to 9.42% in Kerala. rubber and tamarind are other important crops of . Pepper, clove, nutmeg, cardamom 9. BRIEF SCENARIO OF AGRICULTURE and coffee are important crops of this zone. High value SECTOR crops are grown for export purpose. Goa Karnataka Agriculture contributes most to the State’s income in Much of Karnataka’s land resources are assigned to the primary sector. Out of the total geographical area of agriculture and forests. A key feature of the land use 3,885 thousand ha., the net area sown is 2,206 thousand system in Karnataka is the control on the conversion of ha and the gross cropped area is 3,022 thousand ha. Rice agricultural land to non-agriculture use. Agriculture and is the main crop and staple food crop. Other important allied activities in 2000 accounted for about 37% of the crops are coconut, arecanut, cashew, pepper, pulses, State income and 69% of employment. Rice and cotton, groundnut, ragi, tobacco, mango, banana, sugarcane are cultivated on the coastal plain and coffee, pineapple and jack fruit. tea &cardamom are grown in the hill region. The hilly zone of Karnataka has mountains and deep valleys. It Kerala also represents very wide variety of ecological Homestead farming is most common in Kerala. conditions. Coconut constitutes the base crop in almost every Maharashtra homestead, intermixed with other seasonal, annual and About 70% population in the State depends on perennial crops. Vegetables and tuber crops are important agriculture. The principal crops grown in this zone of mixtures in homestead farming. Kerala’s major sources State are coconut, rice, oilseeds, vegetables, banana, of exports are agro based. In spices, pepper is the single mango and other fruit crops. The State is an important most important product, with Kerala being the largest producer of oilseeds. The region has a substantial area producer and exporter of black pepper. of orchards of orange, banana, mango, grapes, cashew Tamil Nadu nut, sweet lime etc. Kanyakumari and Nilgiris districts are coming under 10. BRIEF SCENARIO OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY this zone. Despite high rainfall, irrigation facilities SECTOR available in the districts are poor. Irrigated area Brief scenario of animal husbandary sector is given constitutes only 7.8% of the total cultivated area. Tea is in Table 1. grown in about 66% of the cropped area and it is in the mainstay of the economy of the Nilgiris district. The Table 1. Number of Live stock population in the zone area under tea has been increased by nearly 6,000 ha State Livestock Population Number during the last 15 years owing to crop diversification. Coffee comes next to tea in terms of area coverage. Goa Cattle 87,978 Buffaloes 40,222 is the third major crop after tea and coffee and the Nilgiris Pigs 1,05,402 accounts for three fourth of the total potato production Other Animals 92,113 in the State. Paddy and cereals are grown on a limited Poultry 7,89,504 scale mainly in Gudalur area, which is the only terrain Kerala Cattle 33,96,335 suitable for such crops. Major vegetable crops grown in Buffaloes 1,65,125 the district include potato, cabbage, carrot, beans, radish, Goats 18,60,501 Sheep 6,058 cauliflower etc., orange, , plum, peach, apple Pigs 1,42,784 and mango are the major fruits cultivated in the district. Tamil Nadu Plough animals 16,421 Apart from these, spices like cardamom, garlic, pepper White Cattle (Cow) 1,92,781 and ginger are grown in a limited scale. In Kanyakumari Black cattle (buffaloes) 22,827 district, 63.1% of the area, i.e. 1,06,260 ha cultivated. Sheep 15,350 The district has a unique advantage of rainfall during Goat 1,13,411 Poultry 7,69,616 both the southwest and northeast . Agriculture is the major activity in the district. Dairy development Maharashtra Livestock 27,95,000 Poultry 22,80,000 is an important subsidiary activity. Fishery is a traditional

226 LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY PAPERS—AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE–XII : WESTERN PLAINS AND GHAT REGION

11. BRIEF SCENARIO OF FISHERIES SECTOR 13. INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES AVAIL- ABLE IN THE ZONE

State Marine (tonnes) Inland (tonnes) 13.1 Connecting of villages by roads to nearest Goa 66,550 3,368 towns and markets Kerala Villages in Kerala are well connected to towns by Fish landings (tonnes) 5,93,783 78,039 roads and transport facilities are good. Villages in hilly Fish value (Rs in lakhs) 1,46,342.69 28,867 regions and sloppy terrains are to be provided better roads. The coastal areas in the entire zone has well Tamil Nadu connected roads. There are 3,000 ponds for fish seed and fingerling 13.2 Rural Electrification rearing and supply to the farmers. Duck-cum-fish culture All the villages in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Tamil is important in Thirupatisaram. Integrated systems with Nadu are electrified and 92.3% of villages in Maharashtra co positive fish culture with catla, labia rohita are have been electrified. popularised in high rainfall region of Tamil Nadu. Rural electrification in this zone is satisfactory but the availability of the electric power for irrigation Karnataka 1,28,415 – purposes during summer months is to be improved since Maharashtra 4,14,268 – the electricity generation is mainly by hydro power plants. 12. IRRIGATED AREA AND SOURCE OF There are about 4 lakh and 3700 electric pumpsets IRRIGATION that have been energized in Kerala and Goa respectively.

Goa 13.3 Important markets for sale of farm implements and machinery/grain mandies Rice 27.4% of total area under rice The markets are available in major towns in this zone. Total cereals 26.1% of total area under cereals Tea auction centres are available in (Tamil Total pulses 23.3% of total area under pulses Nadu) and Kochi (Kerala). Major export markets for Total food grains 25.7% of total area under food grains spices are also available at Kochi and Kozhikode. Sugarcane 100% of total area under sugarcane Total oilseeds 16.8% of total area under oilseeds 13.4 Infrastructural facilities available for manu- facture of agricultural implements and Kerala Machinery Net area irrigated is 3,81,000 ha. About 15.7% of the Small manufacturing units are located at Palakkad, area under various crops is irrigated. Thrissur () and Trivandrum districts in Kerala. A leading manufacturer of power tiller is also located in Rice 59.7% of total area under rice Central Kerala. A few agricultural implements Total cereals 58.8% of total area under cereals manufacturing units are available in Mangalore and Total food grain 53.1% of total area under food grain Manipal areas. Total oilseeds 18.1% of total area under oilseeds Manufacturing activities need to promoted by extending soft loans, subsidies and special incentives to Tamil Nadu entrepreneurs in this zone. Sustainability of small manufacturers of agricultural Net area irrigated 33,745 ha machinery/implements may be ensured by strengthening By Canals 11,439 ha their marketing system. Shallow tube wells 1,643 ha By Other sources 20,663 ha 13.5 Infrastructural facilities available for sale/ repair and maintenance of tractors and other Maharashtra machinery in the region Kerala Net area irrigated 42,000 ha Few tractor and power tiller dealers area available in Total area irrigated 74,000 ha few major districts.

227 STUDY RELATING TO FORMULATING LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY FOR EACH AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE/STATE IN INDIA

Tamil Nadu Zonal Research Stations Power tiller dealers are available in the two districts Northern Zone – Pilicode, Panniayar. of in this zone. Tractor dealers are located in the Central Zone – , Mannuthy, neighbouring districts. Eruthampathy, Kannara, Chalakudy. Karnataka Southern Zone – Vellayani, Kottarakkara. Tractor and power tiller dealers are available in the Problem area Zone – Kumarakom, Monocompu, coastal region. Kayamkulam, Vyttila, Tiruvalla. Maharashtra High Altitude Zone – Ambalvayal, Tractor dealers are available in Thane district. Pampadumpara 13.6 Facilities available for extension/training of Karnataka farmers, artisans/farm women entrepreneurs University of – Fisheries College, etc. Agricultural Sciences Mangalore ICAR INSTITUTES Maharashtra Goa Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli Regional Centres ICAR Research Complex for Goa. Southern Konkan – Vengurla, Pondaghat, Kerala Coastal Zone Mulde, Girya, Bhatye North Konkan Costal – , Palghar, Repoli (i) Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Zone Kasargod. (ii) Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Trivandrum. TNAU Centres in the zone: (iii) Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi. High Rainfall Zone – Pechiparai, Thirupathisaram (iv) Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Hilly Region – Horticultural Research Kochi. Station, Udagamandalam (v) Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode. Deptt. of Horticulture and Agriculture extension (vi) National Research Centre for Oilpalm, Regional agencies. Centre, Palode. Other Institutions in the Region Karnataka • Coconut Development Board, Kochi. (i) National Research Centre for Cashew, Pattur. • Spices Board, Kochi. (ii) CPCRI Research Station, Vittal. • Directorate of Arecanut and Spices, Govt. of Tamil Nadu India, Kozhikode. • Rubber Board, Kottayam. IARI Regional Station, Wellington. • Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam. Central Potato Research Institute, Regional Centre, • Cardamom Research Institute, Myladumpara. Udagamandalam. • Upasi Tea Research Institute, Cinchona, Tamil Central Soil Conservation and Training Institute, Nadu. Southern Station, Udagamandalam. • Central Coffee Research Institute, Balehannur, Karnataka. State Agricultural Universities Along with these, each district in the zone has/would Kerala soon be having a Krishi Vigyan Kendra for training and (i) Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, extension activities. Trichur. (ii) KCAET, Tavanur of KAU and Other research 13.7 Facilities for credit stations of KAU, Agricultural Engineering wing The credit facilities are available to farmers through of Department of Agriculture. Nationalised Banks and Co-operative Banks.

228 LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY PAPERS—AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE–XII : WESTERN PLAINS AND GHAT REGION

13.8 Incentives, concessions, subsidies available Crop Operation Tools/ Improved to farmers/manufacturers of agricultural im- implements implements plements presently being suggested for The provision of subsidy/loan for agricultural used introduction purposes is quite satisfactory as from Bank and from Threshing Manual, Threshers, co-operative society loan is available in almost all the hold on combines villages of the region. Subsidies for agricultural threshers machinery are also given by State Governments through centrally sponsored schemes. Coconut Plant Foot operated Tall tree power protection sprayers sprayers 13.9 Infrastructure for Execution and Monitoring of Agricultural Engineering Extension Weeding and Long spades, Power tiller Programmes interculture manual operated implements There is adequate infrastructure available for extension of agricultural technologies to the farmers but Harvesting Manual Tree climber, the infrastructure for execution and monitoring of hydraulic agricultural engineering extension programme is highly operated inadequate. There are a few positions of Agricultural harvesting ladder Engineers in State Department of Agriculture in Kerala and Karnataka while there is a separate Directorate of Dehusking Manual, foot Improved Agricultural Engineering in Tamil Nadu, with a network operated dehusking dehusking tool Machine of Agricultural Engineers posted in the Nilgiris and Kanyakumari districts. But practically the extension Drying Sun drying Dryers for copra activities on Front Line Demonstration, promotion and making manufacturing of agricultural mechanization programmes in this zone are inadequate. The KVKs Arecanut Weeding and Manual Improved tools under SAUs, the SAU Centres of AICRP on FIM and interculture and weeders PHT are carrying out extension and ToT programmes. Earthing up Manual Power tiller 14. Agricultural implements being used by the mounted Farmers implement

These are given in Table 2. Plant Foot operated Tall tree sprayer protection sprayer Table 2. Agricultural implements

Crop Operation Tools/ Improved Harvesting Manual – implements implements presently being suggested for Drying and Open sun, Dryers, power used introduction dehusking manual with operated knife, arecanut dehusker Kerala nut dehusker Paddy Puddling Wetland Power tiller puddler operated rotavator Tapioca Ploughing Bullock drawn Tractor ploughing plough Transplanting Manual Power operated transplanter transplanters, Planting Manual direct seeder Interculture Manual Power weeders Weeding and Manual Cono weeders interculture Harvesting Manual digging Tractor operated harvesters Harvesting Manual Vertical conveyor reaper, combines Peeling Manual Tapioca peeling machine

229 STUDY RELATING TO FORMULATING LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY FOR EACH AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE/STATE IN INDIA

Crop Operation Tools/ Improved Crop Operation Tools/ Improved implements implements implements implements presently being suggested for presently being suggested for used introduction used introduction

Sugarcane Ploughing, Bullock, Power Tractor drawn Tea and Interculture Manual Small power secondary tiller and rotavators Coffee weeders tillage tractor Spraying Power sprayers High efficiency Planting Manual Tractor drawn sprayers planter Plucking (Tea) Manual Tea plucking Weeding and Manual Small power machine interculture weeders GOA Harvesting Manual Improved Paddy Tillage Bullock drawn Power tiller harvesters implement operated rotavator

Cashew Interculture Manual Power tiller Levelling Bullock drawn Improved mounted levellers implements Sowing Manual Direct seeders Spraying Foot operated Power sprayers broadcasting (manual) sprayers and dusters, tree crop sprayers Weeding and Manual Cono weeders interculture Harvesting Manual Fruit picker(manual) Harvesting Manual Vertical conveyor reaper, combines Post harvest Traditional Improved management technologies to be Threshing Manual Threshers, introduced combines

Pepper Planting Manual Auger digger Coconut Plant Foot operated Tall tree power Interculture Manual Improved tools protection sprayers sprayers and rakes Weeding and Manual Power tiller Plant Foot operated Tree crop sprayers interculture operated protection sprayers implements

Harvesting Manual or Plucking tools Harvesting Manual Tree climber ladder Dehusking Manual Hand operated Post harvest Drying under Dryers for degusting tool management sun grading retaining quality manual pepper graders Drying Sun drying Dryers for copra making Cardamom Interculture Manual Small power weeders Arecanut Weeding and Manual Improved hoe and interculture weeders Post harvest Drying – Electrical-cum- management curing houses solar powered Earthing up Manual Power tiller dryers, high mounted efficiency curing implement kilns

230 LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY PAPERS—AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE–XII : WESTERN PLAINS AND GHAT REGION

Crop Operation Tools/ Improved Crop Operation Tools/ Improved implements implements implements implements presently being suggested for presently being suggested for used introduction used introduction

Plant Foot operated Tall tree sprayer Plantation protection sprayer crops

Harvesting Manual – Tea, Coffee All operations Traditional Improved and Rubber methods equipment and Drying and Open sun, Arecanut nut gadgets to be dehusking manual with dehusker introduced knife KARNATAKA Cashew Interculture Manual Power tiller Paddy Puddling Wetland Power tiller mounted puddler operated rotavator implements Transplanting Manual Power operated Spraying Foot operated Power sprayers transplanter transplanters, sprayers and dusters, tree direct seeder crop sprayers Weeding and Manual Cono weeders Harvesting Manual Fruit picker interculture (manual) Harvesting Manual Vertical conveyor Post harvest Traditional Improved reaper, combines management technologies to be introduced Threshing Manual, hold Threshers, on threshers combines Vegetables Field Manual Power tillers preparation Coconut Plant Foot operated Tall tree power protector sprayers sprayers Planting Manual Vegetable planter Weeding and Long spades, Power tiller Garden All operations Manual Improved interculture manual operated crops horticultural tools implements

TAMIL NADU Harvesting Manual Tree climber, Paddy Puddling Wetland Power tiller hydraulic puddler operated rotavator operated harvesting ladder Transplanting Manual Power operated transplanter transplanters, Dehusking Manual, foot Improved direct seeder operated dehusking dehusking Machine Weeding and Manual Cono weeders tool interculture Drying Sun drying Dryers for copra Harvesting Manual Vertical conveyor making reaper, combines Arecanut Weeding and Manual Improved tools Threshing Manual, Threshers, interculture and weeders hold on combines threshers Earthing up Manual Power tiller mounted implement

231 STUDY RELATING TO FORMULATING LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY FOR EACH AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE/STATE IN INDIA

Crop Operation Tools/ Improved 5. This zone is more developed compared to other implements implements zones in terms of basic amenities, education, presently being suggested for transport, roads, communication etc and hence used introduction mechanization with appropriate and viable technologies would be readily acceptable. Plant Foot operated Tall tree sprayer 6. The flow of funds from NRI citizens of this zone protection sprayer and a few processing industries in this zone have Harvesting Manual – been very good and surplus funds are available in the National Banks and these resources may Drying and Open sun, Dryer, power be diverted to provide easy credit facilities to dehusking manual with operated farming sector in the zone. knife, arecanut dehusking 7. This zone is located in a high rain fall zone and nut dehusker Machine hence the agriculture can be taken up round the year with bare water management/conservation Cardamom Interculture Manual Small power methods. The scope of increasing cropping weeders intensity is very high. Post harvest Drying–curing Electrical-cum- 8. This zone is the major producer of many export management houses solar powered oriented produces like tea, coffee, pepper, dryers, high cardamom, cashew etc and therefore efficiency curing mechanization with appropriate technologies in kilns hill agriculture/plantations would be a promising and successful proposition. Coffee Interculture Manual Small power 9. Post Harvest Management Technology and Value weeders Addition Technologies have very great potential in this zone. Spraying Power sprayers High efficiency sprayers Weaknesses Plucking Manual Tea plucking 1. The State governments in this zone are lacking in machine their policy towards mechanization for this zone. 2. The State government machinery for implementation of the schemes are not fully 15. SWOT ANALYSIS OF MECHANIZATION PRO- involving themselves. GRAMME IN THE REGION 3. The extension wings for agricultural engineering is either very weak or absent in this zone. Strengths 4. Infrastructure for agricultural machinery 1. Most of the farmers are literate and hence manufacturing for small tools/machinery is very educating them and convincing them about the limited. Repair/service facilities available are importance of mechanization would be easier. The inadequate. socio-economic conditions of the farmers favour 5. Concept of custom hiring of machinery has to be a congenial situation promoted among small farmers. 2. The country is a leading manufacturer of tractors 6. Gender bias is observed in wages for women in the world and hence introduction of more labour. tractors would pose no problems and there are 7. Co-operative Societies in many States in this zone tractor dealers in the zone to cater to the additional are not functioning efficiently. Politicization of requirement of tractors. the societies is creating conflicts among members. 3. A leading manufacturer of power tiller is located 8. The lands are highly fragmented and holdings are in this zone itself and another leading marginal in size manufacturer of power tiller is located very 9. Farmers in Goa and Kerala are mostly having closely adjacent to this zone. other avenues for livelihood and hence are 4. There are many ICAR Research Institutes and showing less interest in promoting their SAU centres in almost all areas in this zone to agricultural lands. Many farmers are practicing attend to location specific problems. agriculture only as a part time vocation.

232 LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY PAPERS—AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE–XII : WESTERN PLAINS AND GHAT REGION

10. The land holdings in Kerala are mostly homestead Kerala type gardens. In Kerala, the problem area zones comprising Threats Alleppey, Trichur, Malappuram and Quilon districts have low lying lands and have inundation of water during 1. Failure to promote mechanization aggressively in monsoon months. The central zone comprising Palakkad, this zone may lead to further reduction of Thrissur and Ernakulam districts are industrialized and agricultural activities and cropping intensity, thus have favourable conditions for mechanization. The fact affecting the agricultural economy of the States that there are only about 20000 tractors and power tillers in the zone. in the entire State of Kerala speaks for itself the low 2. Failure to develop and promote the activities of extent of mechanization. In the recent years, group improved and modern post harvest management farming system called “patasekaram” was introduced by practices in plantation and crops would Govt. of Kerala, which has been an instant success in greatly affect the dominance of Indian products Palakkad and Thrissur districts. But the concept of in foreign market as there would be stiff custom hiring has not picked up much in these groups. competition from other countries with better They are mostly found to use these machines within quality products. themselves only. During harvest season, combine Opportunities harvesters are brought from neighbouring States and operated on hire basis. The central zone in Kerala 1. If mechanization of agriculture including requires further boost in mechanization with provision horticulture is aggressively introduced in this of tractors under group farming system to farmers groups zone, the agricultural economy of the States in with higher subsidy/grant by the Government. Palakkad the zone can grow tremendously. and Thrissur being major rice producing districts may 2. Quality improved and value added products of be given a special thrust in this area. The agricultural plantation and horticultural crops would become machinery workshop facilities are to be created and better spinners of foreign exchange earnings for our involvement of credit/financing agencies in distribution country. of subsidies/loans would be required. 3. Harvest and post harvest losses of food grains and horticultural crops would be further reduced and Goa there would be more scope for increasing productivity. The scenario in Goa is slightly different and this State requires more emphasis for supply of power tillers and 16. LONG-TERM PROGRAMMES AND STRATE- labour friendly tools. GIES FOR AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZA- The rice in this State is grown mostly as rainfed crop TION IN THE ZONE in low lands and seeds are broadcasted manually before the rains. There is a priority need to introduce manually Present Level of Mechanization operated drum seeders and cono weeders in this State. Growth of agricultural mechanization in this zone is very limited except in a few pockets. Agriculture in hilly Karnataka region is under plantation sector which are well organised In the coastal belt of Karnataka, where rice, coconut as an industry. The status of mechanization in this zone and arecanut are major crops, introduction of power from various indicators shows that the level and extent tillers will be able to boost the mechanization and of mechanization is very low and with very high labour beneficial to horticultural farmers. wages and low income group of farmers, with most of them having marginal land holdings, there is need for introducing labour friendly, more efficient equipment, Maharashtra to be available on hire basis for field operations for The Co-operative system is found to be lacking in the bringing down the cost of cultivation and increasing Konkan area and the government may initiate steps to productivity. Special emphasis and thrust has to be given strengthen and revitalize the co-operative societies and for Goa where there are very few tractors and power introduce machinery through them. Industries of Post tillers and for Kerala, which has very low mechanization Harvest Processing and value addition of fruits is to be in spite of plenty of resources. promoted in this area.

233 STUDY RELATING TO FORMULATING LONG-TERM MECHANIZATION STRATEGY FOR EACH AGRO CLIMATIC ZONE/STATE IN INDIA

16.1 Challenges (xiv) To tap renewable energy sources like wind energy, Despite being a high rainfall zone, this zone requires solar energy etc for supplementing power a thrust in improving the water conservation methods, requirement in farms. increasing production and productivity and in post 16.3 Strategies harvest processing and value addition of horticultural products. Mechanization Package The mechanization package for different crops in this 16.2 What is Required zone includes improved, ergonomically designed hand (i) Selective mechanization of rainfed farming areas tools for both genders, power tiller and tractor operated to achieve higher productivity may be implements for field preparation like roto tilling, implemented. puddling, levelling, seed planting, seedling transplanting, (ii) Mechanization of irrigated agriculture of cash and weeding, intercultural operations, power spraying and tall food crops with precision equipment and state- tree spraying, reapers, threshers and combines, diggers of-art technologies for increased productivity for root crops, improved dryers and other post harvest through higher yields and reduced field losses equipment for coconut, arecanut and spice crops etc. may be promoted. The mechanization package shall have three (iii) As half of the agricultural workforce is women, components it is essential that women friendly tools and (i) Small farms equipment and tools on ownership equipment may be developed and promoted, basis for small farms. keeping their ergonomical considerations to (ii) Sharing of farm equipment through group farming improve their efficiency, reduce drudgery and also (iii) Custom hiring service minimize the occupational health problems. Based on the various mechanization needs, the (iv) Women labour may be provided skill upgradation strategies for agricultural mechanization in this zone are training to enable them operate the farm summarized below: machinery with safety and comfort. (v) To introduce labour friendly, ergonomically 16.3.1 Farm Power improved and more efficient machinery and The mechanical power source in Kerala is very less equipment, to be available on custom hire basis and there is ample scope for increasing power sources for field operations to achieve precision in with mechanical power through introducing more farming and to bring down the cost of cultivation tractors and power tillers. In the Konkan region of and increasing productivity. Maharashtra and coastal and hilly regions of Karnataka, (vi) To increase power availability in the zone and to the available power sources are only meagre, indicating meet the additional demand for power in the need for improving the power availability. agriculture. 1. For a increasing the agricultural productivity, the (vii) To develop and introduce appropriate cropping intensity has to be increased for which mechanization technology for flood inundated farm power available in the farms has to be low lying problem areas. improved. Efficient use of the agricultural inputs (viii) To propagate the group farming system among like seed, fertilizer, plant protection chemicals, marginal farmers for adoption of mechanization. water and farm machinery should be promoted (ix) To mechanise cultivation of horticultural crops 2. Availability of adequate farm power for mobile like coconut, arecanut, cashew and plantation and stationary farm operations should be crops to achieve higher production at lower costs. increased from the present level of about 0.90 kW/ (x) To promote surface covered and protected crop ha to 3.0 kW/ha in Karnataka; from 0.80 kW/ha cultivation for ornamental and high value crops. to 2.50 kW/ha in Kerala; from 0.70 kW/ha to 2.5 (xi) To promote improved post harvest management kW/ha in Maharashtra and Goa and from 0.90 practices through On-Farm primary processing kW/ha to 2.5 kW/ha in Tamil Nadu, by 2020. The by scientific methods in horticultural crops. power scenario in villages is highly inadequate (xii) To promote value addition of agricultural to meet the demand for electrical energy for produces by establishing industries. irrigation, threshing and agro processing and (xiii) To strengthen by-product utilisation units to value addition operations. The villages should be achieve better performance. provided increased electric power by creating

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higher grid power connectivity for uninterrupted 14. Introduction of combine harvesters may be power supply suggested in Konkan region, Coastal Karnataka 3. Tractors, power tillers and other machinery for and Central and Northern Kerala. rice farming may be introduced in appropriate 15. Tall tree sprayers and orchard sprayers for areas depending on the potential. coconut, arecanut, mango and cashew nut may 4. Energy towers—small windmills may be be advocated. Mechanization in orchard crops for established in hilly regions to tap the wind energy various operations like pruning, fruit harvesting for generation of power to supplement the energy etc. need to be identified, developed and needs in the plantations. popularized. 16. Chisel plough may be introduced in upland areas 16.3.2 Improved Agricultural Implements and Ma- of Goa, middle upland areas in Kerala and upland chinery for field and horticultural crops areas in Konkan Maharashtra for retention of 5. Mechanization of irrigated agriculture of cash and rainwater in the subsurface by reducing surface food crops with precision equipment and state- run off from the fields. of-art technologies for increased productivity 17. Power operated weeders for narrow and wider row through higher yields and reduced field losses crops will have to be introduced and popularized. may be promoted. 18. Harvesting equipment for tall tree crops like 6. Ergonomically improved tools and gadgets for coconut, arecanut and vine crops like pepper and farming operations may be advocated to reduce diggers for turmeric may be developed and the drudgery and to provide better environment introduced. for agricultural labour for higher work efficiency, 19. Drip irrigation system may be introduced for the especially for women labour. plantation crops and horticultural crops like 7. For problem areas in Kerala, namely low lying coconut, arecanut for providing life irrigation in locations like Kole and Kuttanad areas, low head, summer months to the plants. Sprinkler irrigation high discharge, low cost improved energy is being used in tea and coffee plantations and to efficient axial flow pumps may be provided at some extent in cardamom and coconut. The water subsidized cost to farmers to pump out the flood management programmes may be strengthened waters from the fields to save their crop during and State Government may take concrete heavy monsoon rains. measures to reduce the wastage of water and to 8. Tractors and rotavator attachments may be prevent run off for augmenting the ground water provided in Central and Northern Kerala, Coastal potential. Drainage equipment in water stagnation Karnataka and Konkan Maharashtra on a massive areas may be promoted. scale to increase power availability in the zone. 20. Production and post production tools and equip- 9. Shallow puddling with rotavators and mechanized ment for vegetable crops are to be developed/ levelling the fields may be propagated for modified for adoption. Broad bed forming equip- mechanized transplantation. ment and vegetable planters may be introduced. 10. Power tillers with attachment implements may be 21. Various garden tools for raising of seedlings for further promoted in Goa, coconut and mango fruits, vegetables and floriculture have to be orchards in Konkan Maharashtra, Coastal promoted. Karnataka and southern parts of Kerala. 22. Plasticulture methods for cultivation of 11. Improved drum seeder for direct sowing of paddy ornamental flowers, herbs and medicinal plants in Goa, Coastal Karnataka and Kerala may be may be promoted. aggressively popularized. 23. Green house technology for high value of 12. Manual transplanters/power operated transplant- seasonable vegetables needs greater promotion. ers may be supplied with subsidy to farmers in Equipment for mechanization of cultivation in Kerala, Coastal Karnataka and Konkan region of green houses will be required to be introduced Maharashtra. and popularized. 13. The State Governments may subsidise supply inputs for mat type rice seedling nursery raising 16.3.3 Biomass Management at village level to enterprising nursery farmers in 24. Equipment for handling and processing for value the villages. addition of biomass from husks of coconut and

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arecanut and cashew nut shells are to be be set up in Konkan region of Maharashtra. Non- modernized. destructive qualitative analytical equipment for 25. Equipment for organic farming and manure assessing quality of export grade mango may be application in the field may be developed and developed for Konkan region. Mechanized introduced. cashew nut shellers may be developed for avoiding the manual handling of the CNSL oozing 16.3.4 On-farm Post Harvest Technology from cashew shells. 26. Post harvest technology equipment for On-Farm/ Village level processing may be given greater 16.3.5 On-farm Post Harvest Technology thrust during the next 10 years for drying of copra, 29. Testing facilities for agricultural machinery and arecanut, pepper, etc. Special dryers for agro-products for quality control should be cardamom to obtain best quality produce with developed in the region for the benefit of retention of green colour and aroma may be manufacturers, processors and exporters for introduced in a big way for the benefit of small improving the quality of their products. growers. There are no proper facilities available 30. Testing facilities are to be adequately created in in this zone for collection, storage and marketing the Agricultural Engineering Colleges located in of perishable produce. There is an urgent need to this region and they should be empowered for develop suitable mechanism to collect perishable testing and certifying of certain types of produce from the farmers, store them in cool agricultural machinery. chambers/cold storage to hold the produce for a 31. Technology park/display centres may be short period when there is a glut in the market. established in each district headquarters where the There are cold storage facilities for fisheries mechanization technologies suitable for that area products. The cold storage facilities for perishable may be displayed with details of sources of crop produce are to be established in common availability etc. State Government owned farms places among the cluster of villages. may be made as Model Farms for Mechanization. Cooperatives/Self Help Group Entrepreneurs may 32. Bio-energy parks may be created in potential rural be provided technical and financial back up to areas as a model for processing bio fuels other create such facilities for providing storage service plant products and making these bio-fuels to farmers on hire basis, to store even small available for use in agricultural prime movers in quantities. The Govt. may support such the same areas. These projects may be subsidized programmes with subsidy and soft credit in viable initially. locations. Emphasis may also be given for On- 33. The plantations in high ranges may be equipped Farm storage systems for perishables (fruits and with Wind Energy Towers for tapping wind vegetables). energy for supplementing the power grid. 27. Value addition industries like coconut water 34. For providing information to the farmers, bottling plant, snowball coconut, coconut chips information centers have been established by etc. and by product utilisation industries for Department of Agriculture at some important coconut, cashew and other horticultural crops may places. These centers are computerized and be established by encouraging entrepreneurs/Self provide information on soil, crop, variety, Help Groups. Coconut processing complexes may fertilizer, chemicals, diseases and pest, irrigation be established in Konkan Maharashtra for value requirements, loans, subsidies etc. Adequate added products from coconut and their by information on the availability farm equipment, products. Coconut husk utilization units may be sources of supply, costs etc. are not available at established in the Konkan region. these information centers. Farm machinery being 28. There are only a few rice-processing mills in a costly input to agriculture, farmers should be Kerala and coastal belt of Karnataka and Goa and provided information and properly guided in more modern rice processing mills may be selection of appropriate equipment for them by established. The by-product industries for using information technology. coconut, cashew nut shell liquid etc in Kerala and 35. Farm machinery and equipment exhibitions may Karnataka may be improved with modernization. be organized at important centres every year. Processing industries for mango and cashew may 36. Agricultural Mechanization Training Centres may

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be established in each SAU/State to provide maintained by enterprising, trained village youth, continuous training to extension engineers, supported and supervised by government. farmers, manufacturers, artisans, entrepreneurs in 44. NGOs and participatory extension agencies may manufacture/running of custom service centres/ be encouraged to take part in creating awareness Farm machinery clinics/repair and maintenance and sensitizing farmers to adopt mechanization of workshops and providing contract services for technologies. different farm operations etc with emphasis for 45. Front line demonstrations of new equipment on-farm trainings at block level. should be conducted in farmer’s fields and large 37. Incentives/support and awards are to be given to number of farmers should be invited to see the manufacturers to manufacture good quality demonstration The fund allocations for Front Line equipment at competitive prices. Manufacturers/ Demonstration of agricultural machinery may be Entrepreneurs should be given assistance through increased as the cost involved in such programmes Directorates of Agriculture/Agricultural are quite high. Effective FLD programmes on Engineering. mechanization will have great impact with 38. For creating awareness amongst the farmers and farmers motivating them to adopt the technology. extension workers, regular programmes should 46. Generally, the agricultural mechanization data is be broadcasted/telecasted on radio and TV based from the Livestock Surveys conducted in networks. Video films on the working of different every State and these data are unreliable and equipment should be prepared and shown to the unrealistic due to possible human errors in farmers. enumeration of technical details of machinery by 39. The network of IT Kiosks established/being non-technical personnel. It is suggested that established for providing information to farmers, enumeration of mechanization data may be done may also be updated with state-of-art technologies by technical personnel for more accuracy. in mechanization, sources of availability, cost etc. Computerized data bank district-wise may be set Many farmers face the problem of locating a up to record all relevant data on production and suitable supplier/manufacturer of a particular farm sale of different types of agricultural machinery equipment. This network would help even the district-wise and such information should be farmer in a remote area in one State to have access published annually for updating of the data for to information on machinery of his requirement formulating future strategies as well for analyzing and choice manufactured in another State. the impact of the mechanization programmes. 40. To take the advantage of use of improved high capacity agricultural machinery by all categories 16.3.6 Infrastructural Improvements of farmers, custom services of agricultural 47. Agricultural Mechanization Boards may be set machinery by private entrepreneurs should be up at State level with State Government encouraged and promoted. They should be given Agriculture Minister as Chairman with adequate incentives and long-term loans on concessional powers. The State Mechanization Board would rate of interests. This will boost use of efficient serve as a nodal agency for implementation of agricultural machinery for timely farm operations mechanization policy by establishing linkages at reduced cost. with all development/financial/HRD/Technology/ 41. To encourage the farmers, manufacturers and Insurance Institutions and shall constantly researchers for modernizing the farms, monitor the progress of mechanization in the State agricultural machinery industry and R&D and shall also interact with policy makers, facilities, visits to other States, other countries and manufacturers, research and extension agencies regions may be organized for enriching their for eliciting feedback, for correction in problem knowledge and awareness for appropriate pockets as well as for future R&D development adoption based on farmers’ need. A special Agricultural 42. Manufacturers may be encouraged to start Mechanization Development Agency similar to agricultural machinery industries in this zone by DRDA, under the State Mechanization may be providing them special incentives. established at each district for implementing and 43. Agricultural machinery repairing and servicing monitoring farm mechanization policy at micro facilities should be created in block level, to be level.

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48. The existing infrastructure and manpower for 52. The State Governments should formulate the identification, planning, execution, guidance and policy for agricultural mechanization for effective monitoring of agricultural mechanization and implementation of agricultural mechanization agro-processing activities in the State is poor and programmes. inadequate. There is a strong need for creating a 53. Some States have provided free electricity to the separate Directorate of Agricultural Engineering farmers and this has no check on indiscriminate in the States to plan, execute, review, and monitor use of inefficient equipment by farmers causing various programmes related to agricultural heavy energy losses. This policy requires mechanization and post harvest activities in the reconsideration and the farmers may be provided State. A Monitoring Cell should also be electricity at subsidized rates with more incentives established in the Directorate of agriculture/ on other aspects. Agricultural Engineering for this purpose. This 54. Custom hiring of equipment may be encouraged Cell should maintain computerized databases and by providing incentives and subsidies to progress reports of all the programmes. entrepreneurs/custom hiring equipment operators 49. Agricultural Extension agencies under State with a view to reduce the custom hire charges for Governments may be activated to play a major machines in high cost areas, to attract small role in popularising the mechanization. farmers to go for hiring of the machinery. 50. Farm Machinery Clinics coupled with primary 55. Co-operative system of farming may be promoted processing centres may be established at Block like group farming system of Kerala in other level, which may be run by SHGs or youth States in the zone. entrepreneurs from the village. 56. The State Governments may subsidise supply inputs for mat type rice seedling nursery raising 16.3.7 Policy Issues at village level to enterprising nursery farmers in 51. The gaps in mechanization namely, lack of State the villages. governments policy, slackness of government 57. Banks may liberalise credit policies to attract more machinery towards mechanization, lack of farmers to avail loans for purchasing machinery cooperative team work among small farmers, need Manufacturing activities may be promoted by for location specific equipment/machinery, active extending soft loans, subsidies and special role of financing agencies and promoting farmers incentives to entrepreneurs in this zone. to be participating partners in mechanization 58. Special insurance schemes for agricultural rather than being passive observers, may be machinery and equipment at reduced premium bridged by aggressive focusing of strong policies rates covering risks against accidents, fire, theft/ by all concerned to provide a concerted effort to losses and damages and loss by non utilization achieve the future goals for future. due to natural calamities may be introduced. ❑

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