Presently due to the problem of labour shortage, the Agriculture Department has been able to materialize the need to switch over to mechanized farming to overcome many problems which are faced currently. The agriculture department official has said mechanization will be most effective for cultivation of sugarcane crop in particular.
The Joint Director of Agriculture, P. Ponkathaperumal has told that when compared to other crops the sugarcane cultivation area is more and the farmers need to be trained to use small sized mechanized harvesters. A demonstration program was also carried out by the Sakthiman Company which was organized by the Agriculture Department at a field near Bhavani.
The suitability of the 175 HP motor for small farms was explained to the farmers. Meanwhile Sakthi Sugars Ltd, from Appakudal was also in the field to exercise 300 farmers on the merits of mechanized harvesting. The sugarcane harvester is the best replacement for manual harvester which involves tedious and tough work.
Farmers are facing tough time for the shortage of laborers at the time of transplanting and harvesting. The main reason is farmers migrate to urban areas for employment. The Nabard is encouraging the farmers to form clubs for purchase of paddy transplanters, harvesters and weeders at subsidized rates, by arranging loan facility.
