NEWS – Shortage of manual labour is pushing farmers in Karnataka to adopt agricultural machinery. Over 7.5 lakh machines sold in the last five years under government schemes.

HIGHLIGHTS

Types of Machinery in Use

• Small to High-end Machines: Rotavators, power weeders, balers, combine harvesters.
• Used in soil preparation, harvesting, and post-harvest operations.
• Tractors are essential to operate many of these machines.

Role of Government Schemes

• Government meets 50% of the machinery demand, rest fulfilled by the private market.
• High-Tech Harvester Hub Scheme:
  • Subsidy up to 50% (max ₹1 crore) for large machines.
  • Supports individual farmers & FPOs.
  • 344 harvester hubs set up in 2 years, costing ₹130 crore.

Impact on Cultivation Patterns

• Increase in area under mechanised crops:
  • Example: Ragi area in Davanagere increased from 500 ha to 2,000 ha.
• Farmers shifting from labour-intensive crops to mechanised alternatives.

Women Farmers Benefit

• Machines reduce physical strain, especially for women in tasks like weeding.
• Increased access to tools = higher productivity and reduced drudgery.

Challenges & Recommendations

• High cost of machinery without subsidy.
• Awareness of schemes is low among many farmers.
• Pending applications worth ₹200 crore highlight the demand–supply gap.
• Need to expand access and awareness, especially for women and small farmers.