Birla Power does a Nano in agri-sector

Forget bull-ploughing and tractors. A tiller by the name of Birla Harit is the latest buzzword in the agriculture sector.

With the Union Budget shifting focus to agriculture in the wake of the Rs 60,000-crore loan waiver, Birla Power Solutions Ltd (BPSL), a Rs 2,500-crore Yash Birla Group company, is set to cash in on the market sentiments by launching the new tiller which can perform multiple works including that of a tractor at an affordable price.

The company today launched three new agri-products, including Birla Harit and its first "Power Shoppe" in Rishikesh, 45 km from here. "We are glad to launch our Birla Harit tiller today," said Kalyan Bhattacharya, president and CEO of the company.

The diesel-operated Harit can be primarily used for preparation of land for farming and comes with suitably designed accessories useful in small holdings especially in the hills.

The machine can be used for tilling, ploughing, weeding, pumping, leveling, pudding, hulling, thrashing and ridging, the company officials said. "In the hills, where you can't operate a tractor, Birla Harit can easily be used," said Bhattacharya.

While a tractor costs roughly around Rs 4,50,000 in the market, Birla Harit has been priced at Rs 1,20,000. The company has also approached the government for subsidy to the tune of Rs 30,000. The company has already cleared the first two tests, which are mandatory for subsidy.

"Once we pass the third test, the price of the tiller will come down to Rs 90,000, which is affordable for small farmers," said Himanshu Kohli, general manager of the company and the brain behind the machine.

The tiller is powered by an 11 bhp Japanese Yanmar engine. The company has already taken the Euro-III approval and the machine is fitted with a 12V electric system.

Bhattacharya said the company's manufacturing plant at Lal Tappar in Dehra Dun has the capacity to produce 250 tillers per month. "We are initially producing 100 tillers per month," he said.