Objectives: To assess the impact of different degrees of mechanization on yield and profitability of paddy.
Methods/Statistical analysis: A total of 71 paddy farms were selected from Shimoga district of Karnataka in India and post stratified into less mechanized, moderately mechanized and highly mechanized based on number of operations mechanized. Primary data pertaining to labour, material inputs, output and their prices were elicited using interview schedule for 2016-17. Tabular presentation and budgeting techniques were used to estimate economics and energy use efficiency was computed using relevant ratios.
Findings: The mechanization has resulted in cost reduction to the tune of 24.22% on HMF and 11.04% on MMF compared to LMF. The reduced dependence on human labour was around 47.93 percent on HMF and 28.50% on MMF compared to LMF. HMF and MMF realized additional yield of 4.96q and 2.33q, respectively over LMF. The percent rise in net returns was to the tune of 130.45% on HMF and 47.26% on MMF compared to LMF. HMF was found to be efficient and productive in terms of energy use in paddy cultivation compared to MMF and LMF.
Application/Improvements: Government should promote mechanization through establishment of custom hiring centres in large numbers to enable marginal and small farmers to avail its benefit at affordable rates.