New Technology Popularizing of New Technology Popularizing of Agricultural Mechanization for

Sri Lanka as a developing Country

M.M.Palitha Mahinda Munasinghe(Farm Mechanical Instructor)

Department of AgricultureDistrict Agricultural Training Centre

HomagamaSRI LANKA

palithamahinda2@gmail.compalithamahinda@yahoo.com

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In East Asian Countries

Japan - Already highly mechanizedSouth Korea - Already highly mechanizedChina - Highly mechanized

In South Asian Countries

Thailand - Moderately mechanizedIndia - Moderately mechanizedVietnam - Growth opportunities existsIndonesia - Growth opportunities existsMalaysia - Growth opportunities existsPhilippines - Growth opportunities existsSri Lanka ?

Asian TrendAsian Trend

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History of Farm Mechanization in History of Farm Mechanization in Sri LankaSri Lanka• The Industrial Revolution is the process of change

traditional way• Started with using British make 4W tractors and

Japanese made 2W tractors• Picked up in adoption of Hand and Power operated

knapsack sprayers & engine operated water pumps • Late 70th began to use Paddy threshers• From 2013 began to use Combine harvesters &

Paddy transplanters

• Timeliness of operation• Better quality of work• More efficient utilization of inputs• Increase

• Average cropping intensity• Productivity of farm work & staff• Agricultural production and profitability

• Employment generate in agricultural-machinery industry

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Impact on Agriculture MechanizationImpact on Agriculture Mechanization

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Key ProductsKey ProductsTraction EnginePlough made from steel Mechanical Seed drills

TransplantersWeeders

Pesticide and Fertilizer SprayersLawn mowers/Brush Cutters/Grass Cutters or SlasherWater Pumps

Drip Irrigation equipments & accessoriesSprinkler Irrigation equipments & accessories

Harvesting machineReapers/Reaper BindersInvertorsCombines

Threshing machineColor sorter machine Grain Milling machineFood & Vegetable Processing machines

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PositivesPositives• Acute and increasing labor shortage • Help for time critical activities in farming• Less dependence on the nature factors • Increase farmers’ income• Improved availability of credit to the farmers

Case StudyCase Study

• In the 1960s, '70s and early '80s, large number of tractors & implements were supplied as gifts from donors or on advantageous loan terms to develop country

• Replacing the Two wheel tractors of traditional Bull power with ploughs

• Farmers use of insecticides and fungicides for vegetables and paddy without affecting yields and quality

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Result - Tractor graveyards in government farms Limitation of Agricultural machineryimporters

Reason - Mismanagement & inefficiencies ofofficersLess follow-up & prolong practicesInsufficient Post-harvest facilities

Case StudyCase Study

• Farmers should be able to make the right choice of technology to increase agricultural productivity

• Training on machine safety can help to reduce accidents, injuries and disappointments

• Farmers should be trained to proper selection, utilization and management of farm power resources

• Guide always for better techniques and technologies to carry out crop husbandry, harvesting and post-harvesting work - storage, drying and on-farm processing

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Take CareTake Care

• Mechanization must be backed up an efficient management system by separate single organization

• Establish farm machinery operators & mechanic training courses (NVQ level iv to vii) on Provincial basis

• Completely banned import of re-condition or used farm machineries & implements in any reason

• Remove all kind of import tax and levy for machineries untill 2020

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Solutions To Small Farm ProblemsSolutions To Small Farm Problems

• Introduce Compact, light, low-powered, and multi-purpose machineries

• Locally fabricating accessories to reduce the import cost of farm machineries

• Farm equipment must meet the needs of farmers

• Should be developed or import energy-efficient import energy-efficient machineries

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Solutions To Small Farm ProblemsSolutions To Small Farm Problems