Bhopal: In a significant step toward strengthening agricultural mechanization and promoting farmer-centric innovations, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, conducted an in-depth review of the ongoing research and development work at the ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
During his visit, the Minister interacted with scientists, research scholars, engineers, and staff, commended their efforts in developing practical, scalable solutions for India’s farming community, and reiterated the government’s commitment to making Indian agriculture more efficient, inclusive, and future-ready.
🌾 Accelerating Farmer-Centric Innovation
In his address, Shri Chouhan emphasized the importance of developing region-specific, low-cost technologies, especially for small and marginal farmers, who represent the backbone of Indian agriculture. He called for a strategic roadmap aligned with the Viksit Bharat Abhiyan, aimed at transforming agriculture through modernization and sustainability by 2047.
He urged ICAR-CIAE to:
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Leverage its All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) to assess regional needs
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Promote mechanization interventions tailored to diverse agro-climatic zones
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Prioritize development of small-engine powered and renewable energy-based machines
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Advance sensor-based and AI-enabled systems to enhance precision farming and productivity
The Minister proposed holding a National Farmer’s Fair at multiple locations and a brainstorming session with key stakeholders, including scientists, farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and policymakers to shape India’s agricultural mechanization strategy for the next decade.
🧪 Showcasing Breakthrough Agri-Technologies
During his visit, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also witnessed live demonstrations of newly developed machinery and appreciated the innovative contributions of ICAR-CIAE towards mechanized and climate-resilient farming practices.
The review meeting was attended by senior officials and agricultural scientists including:
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Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & Director General, ICAR
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Dr. S.N. Jha, Deputy Director General (Engineering), ICAR
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Dr. A.K. Nayak, Deputy Director General (Extension)
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Dr. C.R. Mehta, Director, ICAR-CIAE
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Dr. M. Mohanty, Director, ICAR-IISS, Bhopal
🚜 ICAR-CIAE’s Tractor-Operated Plastic Mulch Layer-Cum-Planter: A Game Changer
Among the highlighted innovations was the Tractor-Operated Plastic Mulch Layer-Cum-Planter, a multi-function machine developed by ICAR-CIAE to streamline and automate several labor-intensive agricultural tasks.
🔧 Key Features and Functionality:
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Performs raised bed formation, drip lateral laying, plastic mulch laying, and seed planting simultaneously
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Operated using the tractor’s hydraulic system and powered by a hydraulic motor (385 Nm) with a chain and sprocket transmission
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Incorporates a pneumatic seed metering mechanism powered by an aspirator blower through tractor PTO
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Uses an eccentric slider crank mechanism for precision planting under the mulch with high seed placement accuracy
📊 Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings:
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Effective Field Capacity: 0.2 hectares/hour
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Field Efficiency: 74% at 1.7 km/h with 1m operational width
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Total Equipment Cost: ₹3,00,000
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Operational Cost: ₹1,500/hour
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Payback Period: 1.9 years (444 operational hours)
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Break-even Point: 70 hours/year
💸 Labour & Cost Reduction:
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Saves 26 man-days per hectare (89% reduction in labor)
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Reduces cost of operation by ₹6,600 per hectare (43% savings) compared to existing machines
🌱 Crop Suitability:
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Designed for high-value crops such as melons, cucumber, sweet corn, baby corn, green pea, okra, and beans
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Adjustable row-to-row spacing (0.5–0.9 m) and plant-to-plant spacing (0.2–0.6 m) through mechanical control
This machine addresses the drudgery, time, and labor challenges faced by farmers and aligns with India’s vision to reduce manual effort while increasing precision and productivity in horticulture.
🧬 Focus on Lab-to-Land and Sustainability
The Union Minister further stressed:
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The importance of soil health, food safety, and climate-resilient mechanization
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Strengthening lab-to-land transfer of technologies, ensuring that innovations reach the grassroots level
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Bridging the gap between scientific research and field-level adoption through demonstrations, training programs, and PPP models
✅ Conclusion
Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s visit to ICAR-CIAE Bhopal marks a renewed push for technology-driven transformation in Indian agriculture. The institute’s pioneering efforts in developing machinery like the plastic mulch layer-cum-planter highlight the potential of indigenous innovations in reducing farm labor, cutting costs, and boosting income—especially for India’s small and marginal farmers.
As India steers toward the goals of Viksit Bharat, mechanization tailored for inclusivity, affordability, and sustainability will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the future of Indian farming is both prosperous and self-reliant.
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
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