Economic analysis of farm mechanisation in chickpea crop in rainfed region

In this study, specific efforts are laid to understand the status of farm mechanisation in rain-fed region with reference to chickpea crop across the different land holding sizes, different power sources used and their impact on biological labour displacement, yield performance and economic benefits at the farmer level. This paper also explained the determinants of farm mechanisation in chickpea crop in the study area. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states are purposively selected for the study, based on increasing use of farm machinery in chickpea crop. Quantitative analysis is completely based on primary data collected from 320 chickpea cultivating farmers during 2015–16. The findings of the study reveals that, on an average farm machinery cost is around 17–23% in total cost of cultivation of chickpea crop in the study area. Yield performance and net returns are higher and incurring lower cost in the farm machinery used farm compared to animal labour used farms. Land holding size and the use of farm machinery are inversely related. Shortage of the labour, higher labour wages, cost minimisation and timely performance of farm operations are the supporting factors for increased use of farm mechanisation, whereas lower farm size and owned livestock resources with the farmers are the factors hindering the farm mechanisation. The increased use of farm machinery resulted in decline in male working hours in chickpea crop and accessibility of farm machinery to the women labour is completely absent. Finally, study provides measures need to be taken to achieve intensified and sustainable chickpea production under full farm mechanisation.