Jharkhand farmers: The farmers of the hilly region of Jharkhand hold back from using modern equipment as they have many problems. Especially tribal farmers still do farming with traditional tools.
Why farmers are not able to use modern agricultural equipment
Agriculture in the country (Indian AgricultureEmphasis is being laid on the use of modern technologies to make it easier. modern agricultural equipment (Modern Farming Technique) is being used, so that the labor and cost of the farmers can be reduced and the earnings can be doubled. But the use of technology has its limits. We cannot use it everywhere. The farmers of the plateau region of Chotanagpur are also facing similar problems. Particularly in the areas of Mahuadand block of Ramgarh and Latehar district, the plateau area is more in number. The number of tribal farmers is high in these areas. They have small holding land.
Tribals have been doing traditional farming here for centuries. The tribal community always depended on domestic bulls and buffaloes for agricultural work. Only its dung was put in the field, from which the production was done. Traditionally, local blacksmiths used to buy and use tools made by local blacksmiths for agricultural implements. It was these tools that were developed and manufactured according to their need.
There were different tools for all the tasks
They had different tools to use in the field, from plowing the field to making beds and harvesting the paddy. They were made in such a way that both tribal women and men could use it. But now in the era of modernization, the use of new machines increased and agriculture made from old indigenous jugaad started becoming extinct. Due to this, traditional agricultural equipment is no longer even present in the homes of many farmers. Due to this, those who want to use traditional equipment are not able to get the equipment.
Talked to 250 farmers of eight villages
So, what is the reason why we are not able to use modern agricultural equipment. Regarding this, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Ramgarh (Krishi Vigyan Kendra) talked to the farmers about this subject in a village of farmers living in the plateau areas of Ramgarh district. A total of 250 houses in eight villages were selected for the survey. After this, it was discussed with the people of those households that why the farmers are avoiding using modern agricultural equipment.
Having small holding land is a big problem
After talking to the farmers of eight villages, the conclusion that came out was that 82 farmers of the area had small holdings, due to which most of the farmers were not able to use modern machines. Also, 16 percent of the farmers had 2-4 hectares of land and only two percent of the farmers had 4-10 hectares of land. Most of the farmers use traditional farming equipment. 90% of the farmers use plow for plowing the field. 72 percent of the farmers had a pair of bullocks. Here about 14 percent of the farmers take plow on rent at a fee of Rs 200-400 per day.
The use of tractors and tillers has increased in five years
Those 250 farmers told that the use of tractor and power tiller has increased in the last five years. He told that there is a shortage of laborers during the harvest season. However, only 29 farmers out of 250 had power tillers and tractors. Most of the farmers were those who rent country ploughs, tractors and power towers. 48 percent of the farmers want to do plowing by tractor, but the fare here is 700-800 rupees per hour. Along with this, renting rotavator also makes it costly for the farmers.
Farmers counted this reason
Regarding the reasons for not adopting modern agricultural equipment, it was told in the research that apart from small land holdings, taking care and maintenance of modern agricultural equipment is also a big problem for them. Also said that being a hilly area, there is a large holding of land in one place, agricultural equipment is expensive and they find it difficult to take loans to buy agricultural equipment. Farmers also told that they are not even aware of modern machines and there is no good road to reach the farm.
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