1. Small Farm Mechanization : Appropriate Technologies and Innovations
B.Sanjeeva Reddy
ICAR– CRIDA, Hyderabad
Hyderabad –

2. India - 102.8 million farm holders; 59%(< 1 ha), 21%(1-2ha)
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
(> 4ha). Small farmers 13,000 & 14,000MJ/ha against 16,500
& 15,800 MJ/ha of Large farmers in cotton and maize
respectively.

3. 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: Ex-
gram and redgram
The CHCs / Packaged machines / High cost machines -
On subsidy benefitted mostly large farmers.
--- with fewer machines Ex.Grain Combine, Large MC Thresher

4. Sales trends of Power Tillers + Mini Tractors and Small
self-propelled 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.

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

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

7. Crop residue / biomass : Bane or Boon
Biochar kiln

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

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

10. Small farmers : Present system requirement
Option 1. Draft pair with matching equipment – Maintenance ?
Additional source : 1.5 hp – PP equipment
5hp+ Thresher
3hp winnower fan
5hp pump – protected irrigation
Small farmers engage family labour for most of the operations
Option 2. Mini tractor - about 18hp to meet majority of
requirement – Able to serve 4 to 5 small and
medium farmers to mechanize various operations.
Initial investment : Option 1&2 works out more or less same
Flexibility & Comport is more in later option.

11. 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

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

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

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

15. Thank you