Indian agriculture has gradually shifted from use of traditional practices using animal operated equipment to use of improved practices. Usages of high yielding varieties seeds, chemical fertilisers, weedicide and insecticide, plant protection equipments, assured irrigation; farm power and matching equipment have significantly increased. Market surplus and demand for packaged and processed food has brought in use of agro-processing equipments for value addition. The agricultural machinery manufacturing industries have grown in the process. Seasonal demands of field machinery and the governmental policies on reservation for small sector had, however, limited the role of organised sector in manufacture of tractor, prime movers and sophisticated machinery while manufacture of field machinery mostly remained with about 1 million village craftsmen and about 20,000 unorganised small scale industries. The value of exports of about 50 major commodities of agricultural machinery and power units by India had reached to US $ 67.278 million by the year 2000. With land fragmentation and changing agricultural policies in many countries, new markets for export can be exploited with product refinements and diversifications. In-house product developments and close liaison with public sector research organisations can provide the necessary technical supports. Proactive government policies would be essential for the industries to exploit such markets. Adoption of appropriate manufacturing technologies together with proper selection of materials of construction, coupled with methodical failure analysis will ensure quality manufacturing as per international standards. Governmental control on adherences to the quality standards through internationally accredited laboratories would create confidence in the international markets.
