Addressing scientists, students, and staff during the visit, Chouhan praised ICAR-CIAE’s contributions to India’s agricultural progress and emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the development of farmer-friendly mechanization, particularly for marginal and small-scale cultivators.
He stressed that future innovations must align with regional needs identified through the All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) and urged the institute to plan mechanization interventions for the next decade under the Viksit Bharat Abhiyan.
Highlighting key concerns such as soil health, food safety, and the effective transfer of research to the field, the Minister called for organizing farmers' fairs across India and hosting brainstorming sessions with stakeholders to frame a roadmap for widespread mechanization. He also emphasized the need to explore alternative energy-powered equipment and sensor-based systems for inclusive and sustainable farm growth.
During the demonstration, Chouhan examined the institute’s recently developed tractor-operated plastic mulch layer-cum-planter—a machine that automates the labor-intensive process of raised bed formation, drip lateral and plastic mulch laying, and seed planting. Traditionally requiring 29 man-days per hectare, these tasks are now completed simultaneously by the equipment.
Using a hydraulic motor-driven eccentric slider crank mechanism and a pneumatic seed metering system powered by the tractor’s PTO, the planter synchronizes seed placement with mulch penetration. It has an operational capacity of 0.2 hectares per hour with 74% field efficiency at 1.7 km/h forward speed.
The machine, priced at INR 3 lakh, has an operational cost of INR 1,500/hour with a payback period of 1.9 years, offering 26 man-days of labor savings per hectare and cutting operational costs by INR 6,600 per hectare—a 43% reduction compared to conventional machines. It allows flexible row spacing (0.5–0.9 m) and plant spacing (0.2–0.6 m), making it ideal for high-value crops like melons, cucumber, baby corn, okra, and peas.
The event was attended by top ICAR leadership including Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) and DG, ICAR; Dr. S.N. Jha, DDG (Engineering); Dr. A.K. Nayak, DDG (Extension); Dr. C.R. Mehta, Director, ICAR-CIAE; and Dr. M. Mohanty, Director, ICAR-IISS.
Chouhan lauded the institute’s innovations and urged continued focus on making cutting-edge agri-tech accessible, affordable, and scalable for India’s farmers. The visit reaffirms the government's commitment to harnessing engineering and innovation to modernize Indian agriculture while ensuring equity, sustainability, and economic viability for those who feed the nation.
