Indian tractor industry expands at a spectacular pace

Chandigarh, July 17 : Tractors are an integral part of mechanization and have a crucial role to play in increasing agricultural productivity. And there's possibility for advancement in manufacturing of tractors that could lead India to another green revolution.

Though tractor manufacturing in India started in 1961, the industry has grown at a phenomenal pace in the last five decades to achieve a record production of over three lakh units per year.

"Tractor companies are improving their designs with time. As per theecommendations received, the companies direct their engineers to manufacture more hi-tech tractors. Now, there are tractors equipped with new technologies, which is very good," said Sohan Singh, a farmer.

Mahindra Tractors, which has emerged as one of the leading producers of wheel type tractors in the world, is reflecting the dynamism of the tractor manufacturers.

"As the way of agriculture is changing and more variety of crops grown, now farmer needs more than one tractor as per their farm size. I think there is huge potential in Punjab for good quality tractors since after a certain time period a tractor also retires," said Gurmeet Singh, a dealer, Mahindra Tractors.

Established in 1969, Sonalika is one of the top three tractor manufacturing companies in India. Since the inception, the group has understood the customers desire to be provided with value for money products.

The company has a state of art manufacturing facilities, located in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

The group has a turnover of 1.25 US dollars. And an average growth of 30 per cent makes it one of the fastest growing corporate organisation in India.

"Indian tractor industry is perhaps second largest industry in world, after China. Right now, Indian tractor industry is manufacturing three lakh tractors per annum, but the scope is there for six lakh tractors per annum. Utilization of tractors per hectare is lowest in India," said A.S.Mittal, Vice Chairman, Sonalika.

Indian tractor industry, comparatively young by world standards has expanded at a spectacular pace. Consequently, it now occupies a place of pride in India's automobile industry.

The U.S.A., U.S.S.R and only a few Western European countries exceed the current production of tractors in India. But India's growth rate is unmatched even by countries with long history of tractor manufacturing.

ANI