Strip-till-drill in Punjab – A study

A tractor operated 9-row strip till drill was developed in the Department of Farm Power & Machinery, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana to use minimum tillage technique for wheat sowing in Punjab. It was successfully demonstrated on large scale. As a result Punjab Govt. gave 50% subsidy on sale of this machine. During the year 1998 seventeen machines were purchased by the farmers. In the following years this number rose to about 99 in Punjab. Manufacturers further improved the machine as per demand and feedback from the farmers. They have strengthened the power transmission system and also attempted to make 11-row machine. Gearboxes have also been developed for 1000 rpm PTO. A survey was conducted to assess the status of the machine in Punjab, its impact on energy and time saving. Farmers are saving 30 to 60% of fuel and time. Machine is also being operated on custom hiring basis at the rate of Rs. 1000 to 1875 per ha. It has been seen that there is no change in yield of wheat sown with this machine vis-à-vis traditional method of sowing. Farmers have also expressed that the machine also helps to control phalaris minor, the most troublesome weed of wheat in Punjab. Problems faced by the farmers and modifications undertaken by the manufacturers are discussed.