In this article we will discuss about the development of tractor and farm machinery in India during last fifty years.
Gradual Development of Tractor Industry and Present Status of Tractors:
After independence of India in 1947, five year plans of 1950s and 60s promoted rural mechanization through local industrialists and international manufacturers of tractors. Production of 4-wheel tractor grew slowly during first three decades after independence. By late 1980s tractor production was nearly 140,000 units per year and by 2000, the tractor production reached about 270000 per year.
At present tractors are available in the following categories depending upon horsepower:
(i) 20hp
(ii) 21-30 hp
(iii) 31-40 hp
(iv) 41-50 hp
(v) Above 50 hp
The most popular tractor is found in 31-40 hp segment, which accounts for about 60% of the total sales in the country. Tractor manufacturing was started in India in the year 1961 by first manufacturer M/s Eicher Good Earth, Faridabad (Haryana). Presently the annual production of tractor is more than 275000 units and power tiller also crossed over 20000 units per year.
There are more than 15 (fifteen) tractor manufacturers in India at present. More than 60 (sixty) models of tractors are produced in India in different range.
For calculating power availability from tractors on the farm a weighted average of 26.1 kw per tractor is considered whereas 7.0 kw is taken for power tiller.
The Tractor Manufacturer’s Association of India (TMA) is housed under the confederation of Indian Industry (CII) New Delhi. TMA is recognized as the main trade group representing the agricultural tractor industry.
There are four major farm machinery training and testing institutes in India. They evaluate the performance of tractors and farm machinery suitable training is also organized at these centres.
The centres are:
1. Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (FMTTI) at Budni (M.P.)
2. FMTTI at Hisar (Haryana)
3. FMTTI at Garladinne (A.P.)
4. FMTTI at Bishwanath Chariali (Assam)
History of Tractors in India:
1945 to 1960:
War surplus tractors and bulldozers were imported for land reclamation and cultivation before independence. In 1947, Central & State Tractor organizations were set up to develop and promote the supply and use of tractors in agriculture. The demand of tractor was met through imports till 1960. There were 8500 tractors in 1951,20,000 in 1955 and 37000 by 1960.
1961 to 1980
Local production of tractors started in 1961 with five manufacturers, producing a total of880 units per year. Six new manufacturers came into existence during 1970-80. Kirloskar tractors, Harsha tractor and Pittie tractors did not survive very long. Escorts Ltd. began production of Ford tractors in 1971 in collaboration with Ford.
1980 to Present:
A further five manufacturers began production during 1981 to 1990.
The annual production of Tractors reached 140,000 by the year 1990, since 1992 industrial license was not necessary for manufacturing of tractors. By 1997, the annual production exceeded 255000 units and national tractor population exceeded two millions in the country. Further five new manufacturers started production by 1997.
In 1998 Bajaj Tempo began tractor production in Pune. In April 1998, New Holland Tractor (India) started 70 hp tractors. The company started a plant at Greater Noida in U.P. Larsen and Toubro established a joint venture with John Deere USA for manufacture of 35-65 hp tractors at a plant in Pune.
Current Manufacturers of Tractors in India:
1. Balwan Tractor:
Balwan Tractor was introduced in the year 2004 by M/s Force Motors Ltd.
2. Captain Tractors Pvt. Ltd.:
It was introduced in May 1994 and was located at Rajkot (Gujarat)
3. Crossword Agro Industries:
It was located at Rajkot (Gujarat). It produces small tractors under the names like NISSAN, ATMAK and CAPTAIN brands.
4. Eicher:
In 1961, Eicher came out with first locally assembled tractor from its Faridabad factory. During the period from 1965 to 1974, the company started manufacturing 100% indigenous tractor in India. In 2005, Eicher tractors went public & sold Eicher Tractors & Engines to a subsidiary of TAFE called TAFE Motors & Tractors Ltd.
5. Escorts:
Escorts Ltd. began manufacturing of FORD tractors in collaboration with Ford (U.K.) in 1971. Escorts produces tractors in 27-75 hp range. Its tractors are marketed under three brand names, Escort, Power track and Farm track.
6. HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools):
HMT is a large public sector unit. It was established in 1972 with technology acquired from Zetor of Czech Republic.
It started manufacturing of tractors at PINJORE (MOHALI) in the range of25 hpto75hp.
7. Indo Farm:
It was founded in Baddi (Himachal Pradesh) in 1999. It produces tractors in 30-50 hp range.
8. John Deere:
In 2000, John Deere set up production in a joint venture with Larsen and Toubro Ltd in Sanaswadi near Pune. It was known as L&T John Deere Private Ltd.
In 2005, the company was known as John Deere Equipment Private Ltd. It produces tractors of 35,40,42,47,50,55 and 70 hp capacity.
9. Mahindra Gujarat Tractor Limited:
Gujarat Tractor Corporate Ltd. was started in Gujarat in 1963. It was taken over by M/s “Mahindra & Mahindra Limited” in 1978 (holds 60% equity) and was known as “Mahindra Gujarat Tractor Ltd” as part of Mahindra Tractors.
This company produces 30-45 hp tractors & it is now marketed under “Shaktiman” brand.
10. Mahindra & Mahindra:
International Tractor Company of India came into existence in 1963. In 1977, M & M became Tractor Division of that company. In 1994 this division was called “Farm Equipment Sector”. Tractors are produced at the plants at Mumbai and Nagpur.
It has satellite plants at Rudrapur (Uttaranchal) and Jaipur (Rajasthan) In 2007, M&M bought 43% stake in Mohali-based tractor from Punjab Tractors (Swaraj).
11. MARS Farm Equipment Ltd.:
Originally established in 1976, MARS Group produces mini tractors under the name “MARSHAL CAPTAIN, & TRISHUL” at Lucknow factory.
12. New Holland:
New Holland Ag (India) constructed a plant in Noida in 1998 to produce tractors in the range of 35-75 hp.
13. Preet Tractors:
Preet Agro began manufacturing tractors in 2002 in Punjab. They manufacture in 35-70 hp range.
14. Punjab Tractors Ltd. (Swaraj Tractors):
In 1970, Punjab Government acquired the Swaraj Tractors’ design from Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute Durgapur (W.B.) and started production at Mohali district, Asron village of Nawanshahar District and Nabha of Patiala district Punjab, Popular models of Swaraj Tractors are:
(i) 744
(ii) 735
(iii) 855
(iv) 978
(v) 834
(vi) 939
(vii) 733
(viii) 724
15. Sonalika (International Tractors Ltd.):
It is producing “Sonalika” tractors in the range of 30 hp to 90 hp since 1995. It has a plant at Morinda (Punjab) since 2006.
16. Standard:
Standard Combine began producing tractors in 2000 in Barnala (Punjab).
The popular models are:
(i) 335
(ii) 345
(iii) 450
(iv) 460
(v) 475
17. TAFE:
Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd. (TAFE) was established in 1961 to manufacture and market Massey Ferguson tractors and related equipments in India.
18. VST Tillers:
It was set up in 1965 in Bangalore in Collaboration with Mitsubishi Agricultural machinery of Japan.
They manufacture 18 hp tractors.
The popular brands are:
(i) Mitsubishi – Shakti
(ii) Euro tract-VST, and
(iii) Euro tract
