A newly developed compact, affordable, and easily maneuverable tractor promises to significantly enhance agricultural productivity for small and marginal farmers while keeping costs low. An MSME plans to establish a manufacturing plant for mass production to supply these innovative tractors to farmers.
With over 80% of India’s cultivators being small and marginal farmers, many still rely on bullock-driven farming, which entails high operational and maintenance costs and offers poor returns. While power tillers are beginning to replace bullock-driven plows, they can be cumbersome to operate. Traditional tractors are often unsuitable and unaffordable for most small farmers.
To address these challenges, the CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI), supported by the SEED Division of DST, has developed a compact, affordable, and easily maneuverable low-horsepower tractor tailored to the needs of small and marginal farmers.
This new technology has been promoted among several existing self-help groups (SHGs), with efforts also underway to create new SHGs specifically for this purpose. CSIR-CMERI is negotiating with local companies to license the technology for large-scale manufacturing, ensuring that the benefits reach local farmers.
The tractor is equipped with a 9HP diesel engine, 8 forward and 2 reverse speeds, and a PTO with 6 splines at 540 rpm. It weighs around 450 kg, with front and rear wheel sizes of 4.5-10 and 6-16, respectively. The wheelbase is 1200 mm, ground clearance is 255 mm, and the turning radius is 1.75 m.
This compact tractor can significantly speed up farming, completing tasks in a few hours compared to several days with a bullock cart, and reducing capital and maintenance costs for farmers. It offers a viable alternative to bullock-driven plows for small and marginal farmers.
The technology has been demonstrated in nearby villages and to various manufacturers. A Ranchi-based MSME has expressed interest in manufacturing the tractor by setting up a plant for mass production. They plan to supply the tractors to farmers through various state government tenders at subsidized rates.
