According to the United States Department of Agriculture (2014), the agriculture sector in India has employed more than 50% of the population, contributing 17-18% of the GDP in the country.
India: Largest Agricultural Exporter in World
India is one of the largest exporters of agricultural products in the world. During the current financial year (Apr. 2022 – January 2023), the agricultural exports have amounted to USD 43.37 billion, registering an increase of 6.04% over the exports of USD 40.90 billion during the corresponding period of the previous financial year i.e., April 2021 to January 2022. During the financial year 2021-22, India’s agricultural export touched the highest-ever level of USD 50.21 billion. Among all the products, rice worth USD 9.65 bn has been exported from India.
Moreover, India majorly produces wheat, cotton, sugarcane, and groundnuts among other crops. Fruits and vegetables are also widely cultivated, with mangoes, papayas, sapota, and bananas as the major fruits.
Farming Process in India
India practices subsistence farming, organic farming, and industrial farming. Also, tribal farming, horticulture, ley farming, and agroforestry are prevalent in different regions of the country.
There are different stages of farming that a farmer needs to be precarious about. Firstly, they need to prepare the soil with ploughing, levelling, and manuring, which require good-quality tractors and cannot be done justice with primitive tools.
The second step is sowing seeds. This is one of the most crucial steps for a good harvest. Although it can be done with hands, there is no match with what tractors can do at this stage also. The third step is to add manure to the soil which cannot be done without the appropriate tractor.
Problems in Farming in India
There are numerous problems in farming in India. Farmers face serious challenges, especially small scale farmers who do not have access to farm mechanization. According to a study published by NCAER White Paper on ‘Making India A Global Power House in the Farm Machinery Industry’, the level of farm mechanization in India remains as low as 40-45 per cent, while in the US, it is at 95 per cent, Brazil at 75 per cent, and China at 57 per cent.
Having said that, the tractor plays an eminent role in making agriculture flourish across the globe. The research corroborated the fact, saying, “Farm machinery for the agriculture sector specifically (leaving out allied activities) is dominated by tractors.”
What is keeping India behind from becoming a global leader in the agriculture sector is the lack of farm mechanization – dominated by tractors, which are owned only by 4.4 cultivator households. While only 5.3 per cent of households in India own tilers, crop harvesters (power driver)/combine harvesters or threshers, or laser land-levellers.
Commercial agricultural states including Punjab, Haryana, and Uttarakhand use tractors the most, according to this recent study. About 63.5 per cent of farmers rent machinery (‘Situation Analysis of Agricultural Households’).
Main Area of Problem in Farming in India
A number of farmers in India refrain from using tractors due to small and fragmented lands. The cropping patterns vary, and issues around power access, and lack of subsidized farm equipment, high cost of equipment, poor quality of equipment, lack of awareness, and less after-sale value, keep farmers away from buying tractors.
VST Shakti 932 DI i Trac Is The Answer
Pioneer in the manufacturing power tillers and tractors, VST is cutting the edge as they are here with their brand-new tractor VST Shakti 932 DI i Trac . The humongous machinery heavy-duty 3-point linkage has a dimension of 2460 x 1130 x 1360, assuring no wear and tear issues. Farmers with smaller areas and larger areas can use it with ease as VST Shakti 932 DI i Trac has a turning radius of 2.1m, extra-wide tyres, an adjustable seat, super-sized headlights, and a radiator screen. Moreover, it has a heavy-duty height adjustable rear hitch, super-sized headlights, an under-hood muffler, a heat guard, sharp clear display, which is perfect for Indian farmers. With the advent of technology in the farming sector, this model also offers a telematics option and a mobile charger with a mobile holder pocket.
The capacity of the fuel tank is 25 liters, while the specific-fuel consumption (gms/hp-hr) is 205. The VST Shakti 932 DI i Trac is a powerful agricultural tractor equipped with a 4-cylinder engine, delivering 30 horsepower (HP) for efficient performance. With a displacement of 1758 cc and a maximum torque of 9.98 kg-m at 2000 RPM, it provides the necessary strength and versatility for a variety of farming tasks. The tractor's transmission offers 9 forward gears and 3 reverse gears with a side shift gear lever, allowing for seamless control and a speed range of 1.79 to 22.03 km/h. It also features a Power Take-Off (PTO) with a rating of 540 RPM, providing 25 HP for powering various implements. The VST Shakti 932 DI i Trac is designed with convenience and ease of use in mind, featuring power steering, double clutch, and oil-immersed disc brakes. Its differential lock ensures enhanced traction when navigating challenging terrains. With an overall dimension of 2460 mm x 1130 mm x 1360 mm and a wheelbase of 1530 mm, this tractor strikes a balance between maneuverability and stability.
Equipped with reliable tires (6.0 x 12 at the front and 9.5 x 20 at the rear), the VST Shakti 932 DI i Trac is ready to tackle demanding agricultural tasks with ease and efficiency.
