Punjab farmers lead the country as far as introduction of new technology is concerned, and the state is the favorite place for manufacturers to launch their agricultural equipment, according to Ravi A Menon, director (sales & marketing) of John Deere Equipment.

Menon was visiting the Kisan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. John Deere launched its baler, cotton picker, tractor fitted with an air-conditioned cabin and augur (rake) in the country at the mela, which is attended every year by thousands of farmers. The company also showcased its range of advanced 5000 series tractors.

Speaking to FE, Menon said that there is huge potential to further mechanise farming in Punjab. “Punjab has the largest number of progressive farmers in the country, and the general capability to buy farm equipment is much higher here. Farmers here are quick to realise the benefits of modern farming equipment, and these are seen as a major status symbol in their community. In this conducive market, we are confident that our high-technology equipment for major phases in farming are pre-tillage, tillage, crop care, harvesting and post-harvesting will do well,” Menon said. The majority of these machines are imported from the US. He added that these machines also address the problem of labour, now increasingly being felt in the state.

Menon pointed out that the company is promoting its rice transplanter in the state, since paddy is one of the two major crops here. “As of now, the number of paddy transplanters is very small. But we foresee that by 2015, their number will go up at least ten times. Punjab government, too, is promoting the use of paddy transplanters among farmers,” he observed.

Other high-tech equipment being promoted by the company includes tractor-operated cotton-picker, sugarcane harvester sub-soiler, multi-crop planter, seed-cum-fertiliser drill, balers etc.

Ravi Guttal, also a senior executive at the Pune plant of John Deere, said the kilowatt hour per acre (the energy or power put into the farm) in India is one-tenth as compared to the developed nations. “There is much scope in Punjab to take this higher, with need-specific farming equipment,” he highlighted.

Menon said that baler, a new farming equipment launched in Punjab by the company, will address the issue of rice residue management.