Kokan is the coastal part of Maharashtra between Western Ghat and Arabian Sea. The climate is hot humid with annual rainfall of 3500 mm. In northern part rice based and in southern part horticulture based cropping system is followed. Due to small and fragmented land holding pattern farmers are mostly doing farming operation either manually with hand tools or with bullock drawn small equipment. There is a great need to increase present level of agricultural mechanization. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli has taken up the work for enhancement of farm mechanization status in the region. It is necessary that adequate demonstrations, organizing training program for farmers, mechanics and operators, repair and maintenance of agriculture machinery services will have to be promoted. Hand tools, animal drawn equipment and small power units will have to be made available on subsidized rates. The demand of tractors, power tillers and matching implements in the region would increase amongst the small and marginal farmers on custom hiring, and need to be promoted by giving incentives to entrepreneurs by the state governments. Credit facilities will have to be made available to small farmers at low interest rates for purchase of equipment.
Mechanization, Konkan, Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli
