Assessing the Dynamics and Scope of Farm Mechanization in Karnataka, India

Agriculture plays an important and significant role in the development of a country. The Indian economy has undergone a tremendous change from agriculture dominance to non-agriculture dominance, as it is reflected in the decline in the share of agriculture in total income from 55 per cent in 1950-51 to 18.30 per cent in 2022-23. Farm mechanization holds substantial scope and importance in an agricultural landscape. It involves the integration of modern machinery and technology into various farming processes, ranging from initial soil preparation to the final harvest. In this regard, the study aimed to conduct research on the dynamics of nature and extent of farm mechanization across zones and crop-wise over the years and to understand the extent of farm mechanization in different operations of various crops. This study was based on the secondary data obtained from the Comprehensive Scheme for studying the Cost of Cultivation of Principal Crops of Karnataka. Data from 2011-12 to 2020-21 for 18 major crops were analysed using descriptive statistics, CAGR, and mechanization index. Here, data analysis was done using analytical tools such as Descriptive statistics, Mechanization Index (MI) and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) analysis were used. The results revealed that the North East Transition Zone (6.73%) and Hill Zone (6.03%) have positive growth in farm mechanization. In 2020-21, North Eastern Dry Zone (41.76%) and Northern Dry Zone (36.65%) and Southern Transition Zone (28.80%) showed high mechanization, while Coastal Zone (16.18%), North Transition Zone (17.77%) and Southern Dry Zone (23.19%) have low mechanization. Overall, mechanization was 27 per cent in Karnataka, with a CAGR of 2 per cent. In paddy, red gram and green gram, the highest growth in mechanization was observed. The intercrop comparison revealed that paddy (41.81%) and green gram (35.69%) cultivation was more mechanized, while chilli (14.97%) was low mechanized. The share of machine labour cost was highest in paddy (18.67%). Operations such as preparatory tillage (49%), irrigation (41%) and harvesting/picking (41%) are more mechanized. Inter-zonal and inter-crop disparity in the adoption of farm mechanization is reported in this study. This can be overcome by improving the availability of farm power and farm machinery and equipment through expanding new custom hiring centres and developing suitable and affordable farm machinery and equipment engineered to specific crop and regional characteristics. Hence, enhancing farm machinery availability and encouraging private investments in rental services is crucial for expanding mechanization in the Karnataka state.