Impact analysis of farm mechanization on productivity and returns of field crops during Rabi and Kharif season in Sirsa district of Haryana

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Sirsa district of Haryana during 2011-22 with the objectives of examining the impact of farm mechanization on productivity, income and employment and breakeven point of tractor use. Two blocks of district Sirsa were selected purposely under the study were Baragudha and Odhan. Three villages per block were also purposely selected i.e., Rori, Suratia and Baragudha from Baragudha and Gadrana, Odhan and Desu Malkana from Odhan block. Further, 20 farmers per village were selected to comprise a sample size (N) of 120 farmers randomly. There were three categories of farmers based on the land holding under study, which were small (0-8-2.4 ha), medium (2.4-3.2 ha), large (3.2-4.8 ha). Under kharif crops, maximum impact in terms of BC ratio has been estimated for the small farmers in cotton (2.09) and paddy (1.11) crops, respectively, particularly in case of small farmers who owned the machines as compared to the large and medium farmers under the same category. Wheat and mustard crops during Rabi season were most promising crops among the small farmers who had mechanized their farms. The maximum benefit cost ratio of 1.57 was estimated among the small farmers under own mechanized farmers in wheat followed by mustard (1.54). The benefit: cost (B: C) ratio in guar were Rs. 1.70/- and Rs.1.31/- in own mechanized and custom hiring mechanized farms. The per cent increase was calculated as 6.31 over custom hiring mechanized farm.