Tractor sales decline in AP

Though the declining trend in the tractor sales was also seen in other parts of the country, with 14 states reeling under drought during the last one year, it was more pronounced in the case of AP with around 36 per cent fall in sales during April-September 2003, when compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.

As per the figures available, 4,169 tractors were sold during April-December 2003, as against 6,519 during the corresponding period in the previous year.

The month-wise figures show that this decline ranged from as high as 54 per cent in January 2003 to as low as 22.43 per cent in May 2003. The all-India sales during the corresponding period was no different, and dropped by 17.20 per cent.

While Andhra Pradesh had a 6.29 per cent share in the overall sales, Uttar Pradesh bagged the top position with 21.33 per cent. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan registered 13.69 per cent and 9.33 per cent sales respectively.

Even though the agriculture sector in Andhra Pradesh has been going through a rough weather, the state witnessed around 12.45 per cent growth in tractor sales during the period April-September 2003.

Any improvement in the tractor sales could be seen only during the next quarter of the fiscal, as the tractor sales usually pick up only after December.