Pilot study of farm power-machinery status and custom-hiring opportunities in rice (Oryza sativa)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

Abstract

A study was conducted in 12 blocks selected from three districts, viz. Aligarh, Hathras and Etah of Aligarh Division in order to assess the farm power machinery demand-supply gap and hence the future scope for custom hiring of farm machinery. It was found that the threshold level of land ownership for purchasing tractor-implement system in all the 12 blocks was 2 ha. In all the 12 blocks, medium category farmers owned 54-73% tractors, followed by large category 27-39% and 4-10% by semi-medium category of farmers. Khair block of Aligarh District showed highest tractor annual use hours (549 h) for different purposes, followed by Atrauli block of Aligarh (509 h) and Nidhauli Kalan block of District Etah (502 h). Tractor owners used the tractors for their own use for 70.57-79% of total working hours. Agricultural use in own farms by tractor owners ranged between 72.86- 86.50% of the working hours spent on their own uses. Cropping intensity was found to be positively correlated with tractor density. Wheat sowing machine, wheat thresher, combine harvester and rotavator were found to have a great opportunity for use a as custom hiring venture, being used more than 50% of their annual use solely for the purpose of custom hiring.

Keywords

• Annual use
• Cropping intensity
• Custom hiring
• Threshold level
• Tractor density