Farm mechanization in northeast Indian hill agriculture

Abstract

Limited farm mechanization in the hill agriculture of northeast India resulted into low farm power availability (0.37–0.69 kW/ha). Steep hill slopes, fragmented land holding, poor infrastructure and limited connectivity hinders the technology dissemination process, resulting poor farm productivity. Affordable community centric farm mechanization efforts are essential to reduce labour cost, efficient input application, water conservation and post-harvest management of farmers’ produce. High initial investment also bars the widespread adaptation of modern farm mechanization technologies. Establishment of community specific need based custom hiring centres, skill and technical expertise development among the rural youths with public financial support from public institutions became one of the most effective options to expand the future prospect of farm mechanization across northeast India.