Center makes waterproofing test mandatory for tractors used in wetland farming. mint

New Delhi: With sowing of kharif crops, especially paddy, witnessing a pick-up, the government has increased waterproofing tests for tractors used in wetland farming, commonly known as ponds, two officials aware of the matter said. It has been decided to make it mandatory.

This test is designed to evaluate the tractors’ ability to work effectively in the wet and challenging conditions of paddy fields, ensuring that their functionality is not compromised. Requesting not to be identified, he said the move is part of a broader effort to modernize Indian farm equipment and increase productivity in the vital agricultural sector.

The new standards have been prepared by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), ensuring that they meet the needs of Indian agriculture while aligning with international practices outlined in the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) Code 2, which is a Let’s complete. Set of rules for testing tractors. The code is used to certify tractors and their protective structures.

waterproofing test

The first person said the waterproofing test will help improve the reliability and efficiency of tractors, which will benefit farmers engaged in paddy cultivation and other wetland farming activities.

Queries emailed to BIS and Tractor Manufacturers Association remained unanswered till press time.

The changes are intended to make the guidelines more comprehensive and in sync with global advances in farming practices and technologies, this person said.

The move is significant considering that the Indian tractor market is projected to grow to $10.4 billion by 2027 from $6 billion currently. However, in FY24, the domestic tractor industry reported an 8% decline in sales volumes to 8.7 lakh units due to irregular and low rainfall, which delayed harvest and reduced sowing activities.

“Waterproofing testing for tractors checks whether water can enter tractor parts, such as axle housings, during use. CR Mehta, director of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)’s Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal, said the tractor is run in water at a certain level for several hours, and then it is inspected for any leakage.

Mehta said, “This test ensures that the tractor works well in paddy fields during puddling. If the seal is not good, water can get into the components and cause damage. The test helps in ensuring that Helps that the tractor is reliable for such tasks.”

Pokharing is a process of preparing fields for paddy cultivation. It involves plowing the field while it is wet to create a soft, muddy layer. This process helps in maintaining proper water level required for paddy fields and prevents weed growth during the sowing period.

“This change has been mandated keeping in mind the fact that the use of tractors for agricultural purposes is increasing. Mandatory testing will improve the efficiency of equipment and help farmers increase their income by reducing the time required for various operations,” said the second person.

kharif farming

Due to good monsoon rains, the area under kharif crops increased by 1.87% year-on-year to 110.85 million hectares (MH) as of September 27, surpassing the five-year average.

Coverage in 2023 was 108.82 million hectares. The current sowing of kharif crops including paddy, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane and cotton is 1.14% higher than the five-year average of 109.6 million hours.

India is set to produce record kharif crops this year, according to the first advance estimate released by the Agriculture Ministry on 5 November 2024. Total summer sown food grains or cereals production is estimated at 164.7 million tonnes for 2024-25. Nearly 6% more than last year’s production of 155.4 million tonnes.