Objectives: To assess the impact of different degrees of mechanization on cost reduction, productivity and profitability of maize cultivation.
Methods/Statistical analysis: A sample of 47 maize growers was selected from Shimoga district of Karnataka. Farms were post classified into highly, moderately and less mechanized based on the degrees of mechanization. Enterprise budgeting, energy indicators, dummy variable technique, data envelopment analysis are the tools employed in the study. The data on inputs used, labour use pattern, output, prices of inputs and output were elicited using structured schedule for the agricultural year 2016-17.
Findings: Mechanization in maize has led to cost saving and increased profit of 20.21% and 32.14% on HMF compared to LMF. Mechanization reduced dependence on human labour to an extent of 64.28% and 18.50% on HMF and MMF compared to LMF. Mechanical energy was found to be the cheapest energy source at ₹2.93% MJ. HMF was found to be economically efficient in resource use compared to MMF and LMF. The dummy variable analysis indicated that additional rupee spent on machine labour increases net returns by ₹4.45 while it was meager ₹0.38 from human labour.
Application/Improvements: Mechanization should be made affordable to marginal and small farmers through establishment of more number of custom hiring centres sponsored by Government in collaboration with NGO’s/ private agencies.