The Government is encouraging use of appropriate mechanization of agricultural operations on identifying the demand for labour in the peak season and for reduction of costs. As per information provided by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Tariq Anwar, the government has taken this step, as transplanting is a labour intensive operation simultaneously done in many areas due to which there is a general shortage of labour during peak agricultural season.
Different designs of mechanical transplanters for mat nursery are commercially available from reputed manufactures. Fully automatic riding type, walk behind type and manual types of transplanters with 4,6 and 8 row capability and direct rice seeders are available in the country. All type of transplanters are popularized through Front Line Demonstration (FLD) programmes.
Besides, in order to popularize the use of Self Propelled Paddy Transplanter, the Government provides grant to the State Governments and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for conducting demonstration at the farmers’ field. 100% grant in aid is provided for procurement of machines and Rs 3,000 per machine/demonstration is provided to meet the contingent expenditure of demonstration. Apart from this, procurement subsidy is also provided under various schemes of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.
