Government encouraging mechanized transplanting of paddy

NEW DELHI: The Government is encouraging farmers to use appropriate mechanization of agricultural operations, recognizing the need for peak season demand for labour and to reduce the costs. With paddy transplanting a labour intensive operation simultaneously done in many areas, there is a general shortage of labour during peak agricultural season.

Different designs of mechanical transplanters for mat nursery are commercially available from reputed manufactures. Fully automatic riding type, walk behind type and anual types of transplanters with 4,6 and 8 row capability and direct rice seeders are available in the country. All type of transplanters are popularized through front line demonstration programmes. Entrepreneurs are also encouraged to take up custom hiring of mechanical transplanters said Tariq Anwar, Minister of State for Agriculture & Food Processing industries.

In order to popularize the use of self propelled paddy transplanter, the government provides grant to the state governments and Indian Council of Agricultural Research for conducting demonstration at the farmers’ field. A 100% grant in aid is provided for procurement of machines and Rs 3000 per machine/demonstration is provided to meet the contingent expenditure of demonstration. Apart from this, procurement subsidy is also provided under various schemes of the department of agriculture & cooperation.