The unfinished job of farm mechanisation

The current level of farm mechanisation in India, reckoned officially at 47 per cent, is far lower than the 60 per cent in China and 75 per cent in Brazil

Drudgery mitigation is not the prime objective of agriculture mechanisation, though it certainly is one of the much-needed and sought-after outcomes of it. The use of machines seems imperative to improve precision and efficiency of farm operations, reduce costs, and enhance the productivity and profitability of farming. The growing scarcity of farm labour and the steady rise in wage rates in many states are also spurring the use of machines. However, the current level of farm mechanisation in India, reckoned officially at 47 per cent, is far lower than the 60 per cent in China and 75 per cent in