Requirement of Energy for Mechanized Cultivation of Sugarcane in Narsinghpur, (M.P.), India

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the requirement of the energy for mechanization in sugarcane which was involved in the cultivation of sugarcane from primary tillage to ratoon management of the crop during 2013-14 in the selected area of study, Narsinghpur (M.P.), India. Agricultural mechanization implied the use of various power sources and improved farm tools and equipment, with a view to reduce the drudgery of the human beings and draught animals, enhance the cropping intensity of sugarcane. The requirement of energy for sugarcane production was highest as compared to many other crops such as potato, maize, wheat, paddy, sorghum etc. Sugarcane was labour intensive crop requiring about 3300 man-hrs per hectare for different operations. Considering the present trend of the availability of labour for sugarcane production, it had been experienced that the use of modern machinery was inevitable. However, the adoption of these implements and machinery have not been up to the desired level. Thus there was a considerable mechanization gap, especially in the area of sugarcane planting, intercultural, plant protection, harvesting and ratoon management. This study dealt with the whole process of developing mechanization and describes the requirement of energy for mechanization of sugarcane in Narsinghpur, (M.P.) India.