Assessment of agricultural mechanization parameters in Bundelkhand zone of Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

UP is the fifth largest state of India (24.1 million hectares) with a projected population of 220.7 million people (roughly 16.7 percent of all-India population) in 2016. It is also one of the poorest states in India with 29.4 percent of its population below the poverty line (Tendulkar Poverty Line, 2011-12). Agriculture forms an integral part of UP’s economy and the lives of its people. Nearly 69 percent of land in the state is under cultivation. The state is also divided into 9 agro-climatic zones. Agriculture in Bundelkhand Zone was vastly rain-dependent, diverse, complex, underinvested, risky and vulnerable mainly because of its geographical condition. A sizeable area of 84% was allocated to food grain crops in this region. Unlike other regions pulses occupied large share i.e. 43% in GCA. Among the cereals wheat was the important crop although its area remained static. This region is lagging far behind in the adoption of the improved varieties and application of fertilizer. The district selected from Bundelkhand agro-climatic zone of Uttar Pradesh was Jhansi and Chitrakoot. Primary data were collected from 100 farmers from 10 villages of 2 districts i.e. 50 farmers from each district. In India, there is a need to increase the availability of farm power from 2.02 kW per ha (2016-17) to 4.0 kW per ha by the end of 2030 to cope up with increasing demand of food grains. The average value of mechanization index, power availability, cropping intensity, irrigation intensity, annual farmer income, annual input cost, human energy, mechanical energy, total energy in Bundelkhand Zone of Uttar Pradesh year 2018-19 were in 0.92, 1.61 kW/ha, 124.59%, 124.59%, Rs.119852, Rs.32463, 26.63 kWh/ha, 400.31 kWh/ha and 426.94 kWh/ha respectively. Still the harvesting with harvesting worker is maximum mechanize i.e. 0.993 then cultivator as well as diesel engine both had almost same value of degree of mechanization i.e. 0.469 and 0.466 respectively.