Studies on Problems Associated with Farm Mechanization in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh

Farm mechanization has been recognized as one of the important inputs for increasing the productivity of land by ensuring timeliness and precision of agricultural operations, reduction of loss of crops and food products, increased labour work output per unit time by reducing efforts and drudgery and improved quality of farm operations. Therefore, present study on problems of farm mechanization was conducted in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Primary data was compiled from 80 farmers/households (56 small and 24 large) selected randomly from 8 villages of Nurpur and Panchrukhi block in Kangra district. The major problems associated with farm mechanization reported by farmers were undulating and high slope, scattered holdings, small size of fragments, terraced and non-uniform shape of fields, poor financial conditions of the respondents for buying machineries, lack of proper trainings about operation of implements/machineries. Based on the findings of the study, it was suggested that the state government should increase the existing level of subsidy from 25 per cent to 50 per cent on farm machinery and implements especially in case of tractors and power tillers and connectivity of operational holdings with the roads for the overall development of agriculture in hilly areas. The topography in study area is mostly hilly and undulating and was identified as one of the major constraints with respect to farm mechanization. Therefore, emphasis should be given in the designing and manufacturing of small size tractors suitable for the hilly regions of the state.