An Assessment of Mechanisation Level in Sali Rice: A Study in Assam, India
Maitrayee Dutta
Department of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
Pallabi Bora *
Department of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
Utpal Barman
Department of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
Horindra Gogoi
Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
Monisha Borah
Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
Borsha Neog
Department of Agricultural Statistics, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The assessment of sali rice cultivation focused on the contribution of different mechanical power sources across major agricultural operations and variations in implement utilisation. The study provides a framework for identifying mechanisation gaps in sali paddy cultivation. Its findings help identify opportunities to promote appropriate farm machinery and improve access to mechanisation services, which could reduce labour-intensive agricultural practices in Assam.
Study Design: An analytical research design was followed in the present study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in seven districts of Assam across four agro-climatic zones: the Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone, Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone, North Bank Plain Zone and Central Brahmaputra Valley Zone. Jorhat and Golaghat were selected from the Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone (UBVZ); Sonitpur and Darrang from the North Bank Plain Zone (NBPZ); Barpeta and Goalpara from the Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone (LBVZ); and Morigaon from the Central Brahmaputra Valley Zone (CBVZ). Data were collected from May to June 2026.
Methodology: The study included 420 respondents, comprising 260 men and 160 women who cultivated sali rice and used various farm implements for its cultivation.
Results: Of the 420 respondents, most had a medium level of farm mechanisation (70.48%), while 16.43% had a low level and 13.09% had a high level. An M.B. plough was owned by 25.71% of respondents and hired by 74.28%. Similarly, 27.61% owned a disc plough, 22.38% a tractor, 19.52% a rotary tiller, 18.33% a power tiller and 7.14% an axial-flow thresher. Almost 76% hired a disc harrow, 81.66% hired a power tiller and 77.61% hired a tractor. A rice pulveriser was owned by 1.19% of respondents and hired by 98.80%, while 2.14% owned a paddy transplanter. None owned a portable rice mill.
Conclusion: Variations in mechanisation levels across operations highlight the need to promote suitable farm implements, particularly for labour-intensive activities. Strengthening custom hiring centres could improve the timely availability of machinery and farmers’ technical knowledge, potentially facilitating wider adoption of mechanisation in Assam.
Keywords: Farm mechanization, sali rice, utilization, mechanisation index, Assam