02 Nov Insights into Agricultural Mechanization for Sustainable Agriculture
टिकाऊ कृषि के लिए कृषि यंत्रीकरण पर अंतर्दृष्टि
Agriculture is the backbone of many economies, providing food, employment, and raw materials for industries. However, challenges such as declining soil fertility, water scarcity, and labor shortages necessitate the adoption of efficient and sustainable farming practices. One such approach is sustainable agricultural mechanization, which enhances input use efficiency while reducing environmental impacts.
Farm mechanization is crucial to boost input use efficiency along with increased production and productivity The farm mechanization level in India is 40 % with average 2.24 kW/ha farm power availability. On the other hand, Punjab has reached 4.4 kW/ha whereas in the hills of Uttarakhand, it is 1.05 kW/ha. (Modi, R.U. et.al., 2020). Hence, there is need for location specific targets, target specific objectives and
What is Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization?
Sustainable agricultural mechanization refers to the use of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly machinery and tools to optimize farm operations. It integrates precision technologies, renewable energy sources, and conservation techniques to maximize productivity while minimizing waste and resource depletion.
Fig. Benefits of Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization
Benefits of Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization:
Enhanced Input Efficiency:
Mechanized farming improves the precise application of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and water. Technologies like precision seed drills, variable rate applicators, and drip irrigation ensure optimal use, reducing wastage and enhancing crop yields.
Fertilizer usage:
Research has shown that precision agriculture technologies can reduce 20% and 15% cost of crop protection and fertilizer usage, respectively, without compromising productivity. There is a positive relationship between the adoption of PA and farm returns for larger-scale farms. (Sanyaolu, M. and Sadowski, A. 2024). Compared to uniform fertilizer treatments, variable-rate fertilizer applications reduced the amount of nitrogen fertilizer used by 56% and 50% in 2012 and 2013, respectively (Aggelopoulou, K.D., 2011).
Water usage:
Studies by Lakshmi et. al. found a 46% decrease in water consumption and higher crop yield using an SIS compared to a conventional watering system. Laphatphakkhanut et al. used an IoT-based SIS and found water usages were decreased by 40.29% (alternating wet and dry) and 29.22% (basin irrigation) compared to the traditional irrigation method. Barkunan et al. reported a 41.5% (conventional flood) and 13% (drip irrigation) reduction in water usage for paddy cultivation using an automated drip irrigation system. Additionally, FAO (2019) highlights that laser land levelling can improve water use efficiency by 25-30%, significantly reducing irrigation demands.
Another study by Jat et al. (2020) highlights that conservation agriculture-based Rice-Wheat and Maize-Wheat systems enhanced the crop productivity by 10 and 16%, water productivity by 56 and 33%, and profitability by 34 and 36%, while saving in irrigation water by 38 and 32%, compared with their respective Conventional Tillage based systems, respectively.
Reduced Labor Dependency:
Labour is the largest cost component in agriculture and a key limiting factor in the growth of agricultural industries worldwide. Labour shortages negatively impact farmer revenue, crop yields, and long-term sustainability. In regions with low wages, the transient nature of the workforce further reduces production capacity and quality.
Additionally, certain manual tasks pose risks of musculoskeletal disorders and chronic health issues for workers. With rising labor costs and shortages, mechanization helps in timely and efficient farm operations, ensuring higher productivity with minimal manual effort. In a survey taken in the mid-1970s, bedding plant growers attributed about 25% of plant production costs to labour (Aldrich & Bartok, 1992).
Bechar and Vigneault (2016), studied that in Southern Spain, the labour cost for greenhouse production of tomato, lettuce, pepper, melon, watermelon, squash, cucumber and bean amounts to 36-40% of the total cost, hence automation and robotics in agriculture reduce dependency on manual labor thus saving the cost up to 40%, leading to more efficient production. Studies by Caunedo, J. and Kala N. 2021 found that, family labor decreases in response to the subsidy and farmers reduce hired labor in all farming processes, including those not directly affected by mechanization.
They document that family labor is mostly occupied in supervision activities, likely due to contracting frictions, and that their lower engagement in farming is associated with higher non-agricultural income. Lakhiar, I.A., al., 2024 stated that smart irrigation systems can eliminate the requirement for the manual data collection of several variables. They can help reduce the labor engaged in field data collection, data collection errors, and the entire operational efficiency of the system. Conservation agriculture reduces labour requirements by about 50%, and particularly the heavy work of soil tillage and deep cultivation is eliminated (Bishop-Sambrook, C., 2003)
Soil Conservation:
Conservation agriculture tools such as zero-tillage planters and laser land levelling minimize soil disturbance, enhance moisture retention, and reduce water consumption. Research by Derpsch et al. (2014) suggests that no-till farming, when combined with mechanization, reduces soil erosion by up to 90% while increasing soil organic matter.
Due to erosion during last 40 years, about 30 % of the world’s arable land has become unproductive and most of it has been abandoned for agriculture. The soil loss with surface mulch can be reduced by up to 50%. Mean runoff and soil loss with CA plots were ~45 and ~54% less, respectively than conventional agriculture plots.
Effect of conservation agriculture impact on crop productivity and conservation efficiency on a land with 2% slope at Dehradun, India
| Particulars | Conventional agriculture | Conservation agriculture |
| Water loss (% of rain) | 39.8 | 21.9 |
| Soil loss (t ha-1 yr-1) | 7.2 | 3.5 |
| Grain yield of maize (kg ha-1) | 1570 | 2000 |
| Grain yield of wheat after maize (kg ha-1) | 950 | 1700 |
| Weed biomass for mulching (kg ha-1 yr-1) | – | 2100 |
| Moisture conservation for wheat (mm) compared to fallow | 28.1 | 58.5 |
(Singh., Y., 2020)
Lower Carbon Footprint:
The adoption of energy-efficient machinery, solar-powered irrigation systems, and electric tractors reduces greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation. According to Smith et al. (2020), mechanized conservation agriculture practices lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 30-50% compared to conventional methods. Renewable energy-powered farm equipment, as highlighted by Lal (2018), also plays a critical role in reducing agriculture’s overall carbon footprint.
According to a study carried out by Bora et al. (2012) in North Dakota, United States, it was discovered that 34% of farms utilizing GPS guidance systems reduced fuel consumption by 6.32% and machine time by 6.04%, saving 1647 L of gasoline (USD 1305) per farm. Additionally, 27% of farms utilizing auto steering systems lowered fuel consumption by 5.33% and machine time by 5.75%, saving 1866 L of gasoline (USD 1479) per farm.
According to World Economic Forum predictions, precision agriculture could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5–10% by 2030 if the technology is installed on 15–25% of farms. In addition, a report by Soto et al. (2019) states that precision agriculture lowers agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in Europe by 1.5% to 2%. The key method used for this is variable rate application, which helps to decrease N2O emissions by providing plants with the exact amount of fertilizer they need (Marechal, A., 2022).
Higher Economic Returns:
By improving efficiency and reducing input costs, mechanization boosts farmers’ income and supports sustainable rural livelihoods. Studies by Pingali (2012) indicate that farm mechanization can increase crop yields by 15-25%, translating into higher profits for farmers. Furthermore, mechanized post-harvest technologies, as reported by Hodges et al. (2011), significantly reduce post-harvest losses, increasing marketable surplus and economic gains.
Key Technologies for Sustainable Mechanization:
Precision Farming Tools: GPS-guided tractors, drones, and variable-rate technology (VRT) optimize input application and reduce waste. Research by Gebbers and Adamchuk (2010) highlights that precision farming can increase yields by 10-15% while reducing input costs by up to 20%. Additionally, Bongiovanni and Lowenberg-DeBoer (2019) suggest that site-specific nutrient management improves soil health and enhances long-term sustainability.
Conservation agriculture: It is a concept for resource-saving agricultural crop production that strives to achieve acceptable profits together with high and sustained production levels while concurrently conserving the environment. CA is based on enhancing natural biological processes above and below the ground.
Interventions such as mechanical soil tillage are reduced to an absolute minimum, and the use of external inputs such as agrochemicals and nutrients of mineral or organic origin are applied at an optimum level and in a way and quantity that does not interfere with, or disrupt, the biological processes. (Friedrich, T., et. al., 2009). CA is characterized by three sets of practices which are linked to each other in a mutually reinforcing manner, namely:
- Continuous no- or minimal mechanical soil disturbance i.e., direct sowing or broadcasting of crop seeds, and direct placing of planting material in the soil; minimum soil disturbance from cultivation, harvest operation or farm traffic; the disturbed area must be less than 15 cm wide or 25% of the cropped area (whichever is lower). No periodic tillage that disturbs a greater area than the aforementioned limits;
- Permanent organic matter soil cover, especially by crop residues and cover crops; soil cover should ideally be above 100%, measured immediately after the planting operation. Ground cover of less than 30% is not considered as a CA practice;
- Diversified crop rotations in the case of annual crops or plant associations in case of perennial crops, including legumes. Rotation should involve at least 3 different crops. However, monocropping is permissible as long as no other related problems occur.
Renewable Energy Powered Equipment: Solar-powered irrigation systems, wind-powered grain dryers, and biomass-fuelled machinery reduce reliance on fossil fuels. According to Burney et al. (2010), solar-powered irrigation reduces diesel dependence by 40-60%, leading to significant cost savings for farmers. Studies by FAO (2021) indicate that renewable energy-powered farm operations can lower greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% compared to conventional mechanization methods.
Eco-Friendly Harvesting Machines: Mechanized harvesters with advanced threshing and sorting technologies minimize post-harvest losses and improve grain quality. Research by Kumar and Kalita (2017) suggests that post-harvest mechanization reduces grain losses by 30-40%, increasing profitability for farmers. Additionally, smart harvesting technologies, as highlighted by Silalertruksa et al. (2017), improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
AI and IoT-Based Monitoring: Smart sensors, automated irrigation controllers, and AI-driven analytics enhance real-time monitoring of soil health, crop growth, and weather conditions. According to Wolfert et al. (2017), IoT-based smart farming solutions can improve resource efficiency by 25-30%, reducing costs and improving productivity. AI-driven predictive analytics, as studied by Kamilaris et al. (2018), enhance decision-making, leading to more precise and sustainable farm management.
Challenges and the Way Forward:
While sustainable agricultural mechanization offers numerous benefits, several challenges hinder its widespread adoption:
High Initial Investment Costs: Advanced mechanization technologies require significant capital investment, which is often unaffordable for small-scale farmers. Financial incentives such as subsidies, low-interest loans, and cooperative models can facilitate access to these technologies. According to Sanyaolu, M. and Sadowski, A., 2024, only the largest farms in the use of precision farming technologies were profitable. They suggested that, public support in the form of investment subsidies can significantly increase the number of farms and the area where it can be applied.
Lack of Technical Knowledge and Training: Many farmers lack the necessary technical skills to operate and maintain modern agricultural machinery. Expanding training programs, extension services, and digital education platforms will be crucial in addressing this gap.
Inadequate Infrastructure: Poor rural infrastructure, including inadequate roads, electricity supply, and storage facilities, limits the effectiveness of mechanization. Investments in rural infrastructure development, such as electrification and logistics improvements, will enhance mechanization adoption.
Limited Availability of Mechanized Services: In many developing regions, access to mechanized services is restricted due to the unavailability of service providers. Promoting business models such as machinery-sharing cooperatives and pay-per-use services can increase accessibility.
Environmental and Sustainability Concerns: While mechanization improves efficiency, improper use can lead to soil degradation, increased fuel consumption, and environmental harm. Policies promoting eco-friendly technologies, precision farming, and conservation practices are essential for sustainable mechanization.
Policy and Institutional Barriers: The absence of clear policies, regulations, and incentives for mechanization hampers its expansion. Governments should establish supportive policies, including tax exemptions, research funding, and public-private partnerships to drive mechanization efforts.
Conclusion:
Sustainable agricultural mechanization is a game-changer for modern farming. By improving input use efficiency, reducing environmental impacts, and increasing economic returns, it paves the way for a more resilient and productive agricultural sector. Investments in innovative technologies and farmer training will be crucial in driving the widespread adoption of sustainable mechanization, ensuring food security and environmental sustainability for future generations.
References
- Aggelopoulou, K.D.; Pateras, D.; Fountas, S.; Gemtos, T.A.; Nanos, G.D. (2011) Soil spatial variability and site-specific fertilization maps in an apple orchard. Precis. Agric. 12, 118–129.
- Aldrich, R.A. and Bartok, J.W., (1994). Greenhouse engineering.
- Barkunan, S.R.; Bhanumathi, V.; Sethuram, J. Smart sensor for automatic drip irrigation system for paddy cultivation. Comput. Electr. Eng. 2019, 73, 180–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compeleceng.2018.11.013.
Authors:
Chaitrali S. Mhatre, Tania Seth, Arpita Mohapatra and Ankita Sahu
Scientist (Farm Machinery and Power),
ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
