CSIR develops compact and cost-effective tractors for farmers

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) have developed a new tractor for small and marginal farmers. The new tractor is designed to help small farmers increase their productivity by being cost-effective and more efficient.

Around 80 percent of small farmers in India still don’t have the required new machinery and depend on traditional farming methods. The tractor developed with support from the SEED Division of DST will help farmers solve these problems. These tractors will be provided to farmers through different state government tenders at subsidized prices.

The newly developed tractor has a 9 hp diesel engine with 8 forward and 2 reverse speeds, PTO with 6 splines @540 rpm. The total weight of the tractor is around 450kg, with front and rear wheel sizes of 4.5-10 and 6-16 respectively. The wheelbase, ground clearance, and turning radius are 1200 mm, 255mm, and 1.75m respectively.

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“It can help speed up farming, finishing it in a few hours in comparison to several days that the bullock cart needs and also reduces capital and maintenance cost of farmers,” said the ministry.

An MSME from Ranchi plans to set up a factory to make these tractors a reality for farmers. The government is promoting this technology among existing and new Self Help Groups (SHGs). CSIR-CMERI is also looking to license the technology to local companies for large-scale manufacturing, so more farmers can benefit.

According to Tractor and Mechanization Association (TMA) (TMA's) data in May 2024, total tractor sales, including exports, stood at 91,757 units (8,809 exports), while production stood at 89,154 units. Both sales and production gradually increased from January 2024. Beginning of the year total sales stood at 62,774 units, while production stood at 74,895 units.