India Faces 25-Year Journey to Match Brazil in Farm Mechanization, Says Parliamentary Panel
February 11, 2024A recent report by a Parliamentary panel has highlighted a significant gap in agricultural mechanization between India and Brazil, estimating that it could take India another 25 years to reach the level of farm mechanization already achieved by Brazil. Despite both nations being classified as developing countries, the disparity in mechanization underscores the challenges Indian agriculture faces, particularly for small and marginal farmers.
The panel emphasized that agricultural mechanization can lead to an increase of 5-20% in cropping intensity and a 13-23% rise in crop yield, underscoring its critical role in enhancing agricultural productivity and food security. However, the report pointed out that the current availability of machinery suitable for India’s predominantly small-scale agricultural holdings is insufficient. This limitation, combined with the high costs of modern farming equipment, places mechanization out of reach for many of India’s farmers.
To bridge this mechanization gap more quickly, the panel urged the Indian government to focus on developing and making accessible machines that are appropriate for small and marginal holdings. It also suggested that substantial farm amalgamation could be a pathway to making mechanization feasible for more farmers, potentially allowing them to collectively purchase and use modern farming equipment.
The report calls for targeted government interventions to accelerate the pace of farm mechanization in India. This includes increasing investment in agricultural research and development, subsidizing the cost of machinery for small-scale farmers, and implementing policies that encourage farm consolidation as a means to improve access to mechanization.
As India looks to enhance its agricultural productivity and compete on a global stage, the findings of this Parliamentary panel serve as a crucial call to action. The journey towards achieving a level of farm mechanization on par with Brazil is long and fraught with challenges, but with concerted effort and strategic policy implementation, it may be possible to shorten the timeline significantly.
