1 Deptt. Of Agric. Engg., North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli - 791 109, Arunachal Pradesh.
2 Dept of Agric. and Food Engg, I.I.T., Kharagpur-721 302, West Bengal.
A survey was conducted involving 125 farmers in 4 districts of Arunachal Pradesh to assess the level of mechanization and to identify the tools, implements and equipment needed to mechanize various cultivation practices of the major crops. These farmers practiced shifting cultivation in mid hills and normal cultivation in foothills. In foothills the major crop grown was paddy during Kharif season followed by wheat/potato and maize/millets. Under shifting cultivation in the mid hills, paddy, maize, millets and vegetables were grown during pre-monsoon and Kharif season. Traditional hand tools were used for all the operations. However, improved tools have potential for use in cultivated lands in foothills when scientific agriculture is pursued by way of consolidation of holdings and land leveling. Similarly, in shifting cultivation areas, introduction of scientific techniques of soil and water conservation is needed before recommending appropriate tools and implements. Accordingly, a set of tools and implements has been identified for their feasibility testing and subsequent introduction to the farmers of the state with a view to reduce drudgery in agricultural operations.
