NEW DELHI, 14 July 2019 : In order to provide an avenue to display their hard work and technology in farming sector, India got its first award for tractors and farm implements.

The first Indian Tractor of the Year (ITOTY) was held in Delhi recently, where 16 companies bagged awards in various categories.

Speaking on this, Tractor and Mechanization Association (TMA) of India president T.R. Kesavan said that the events like this will help increase the importance of tractors.

Escorts Powertrac Euro 50 bagged the tractor of the year 2019 award, while Powertrac ALT 4000 was awarded best commercial tractor. 

Deutzfahr Agrolux 80 Profiline bagged the best tractor award in above 60 HP; Sonalika Worldtrac 60 bagged an award as best tractor in 51-60 HP category, while New Holland bagged best tractor awards in 46-50 HP and 31-40 HP category.

Escorts also bagged the award for tractor manufacturer of the year. Force Orchard Delux bagged the best tractor award in 21-30 HP category.

DeutzFahr Agrolux 55 bagged the launch of the year award, while Escorts bagged the best 4WD tractor of the year award and best design tractor award was won by Sonalika's Solis 5015.

In farm implements, Lemken India was awarded implement manufacturer of the year and  rotavator of the year awards, while Maschio Gaspardo Virat Rotavator bagged power tiller of the year and VST Shakti 135 DI Ultra took home the reversible plough of the year award.

Indian tractor manufacturers are currently producing 785,409 units, which is expected to cross to 800,000 in the current fiscal year.

In 2019, the Gross Value Added (GVA) in these industries across the country was around Euro 305 billion (INR 23,566) billion. Being a part of mechanization in farming, tractors have a big role to play in increasing the country's agricultural output.

There is huge scope for tractors in the country, as the current tractor population is only 1.5 hp/ha which is much below the 8-10 hp/ha penetration of developed countries, leaving much scope for growth. Currently, there are around 5 million tractors in India.