An assessment of farm mechanization potential in enhancing farm income

For sustainable increase in food production, farmers are to be retained in agriculture. The prevailing nonremunerative market prices coupled with increasing wages are pushing out farmers from their primary occupation. To sustain farming community, there is need to increase farm productivity by lowering operational expenses and ensuring higher market prices for output. Farm mechanization is an alternative to reduce cost of production and realize higher productivity by timely completion of operations. The present study is undertaken in Karimnagar district of Telangana to assess economic impact of farm mechanization. Results show lower total cost of cultivation on mechanized farms as compared to non-mechanized farms. Average yield was higher on mechanized farms compared to non-mechanized farms. Regression coefficient on mechanization was found significant with a positive sign. Though there were several constraints in adoption of farm mechanization, the results clearly indicate the potential of farm mechanization in enhancing farm income.