Agricultural Mechanization Situation in Asia and the Pacific Region

The Asian region has made great progress over the past six decades in transforming farm power situation from over 90 % from animate sources in 1960s to over 60 % from mechanical sources by 2014 in many countries. Four main types of mechanical power sources are becoming popular: i) 2Wheel-Single Axle tractors for wet tillage, transportation, water pumping and threshing; ii) 4Wheel-Two Axle tractors for dry tillage, transportation, planting and seeding, inter-culture, spraying, harvesting and threshing; iii) Electrical motors and Diesel engines for irrigation pump sets and many post harvest processing operations; and iv) Self propelled machines like combine harvesters for grain harvesting, trans-planters for rice and vegetable crops, fodder harvesters and sugarcane harvesters. The use of draft animals is likely to be insignificant by 2030 in the region. While animal draft power is indigenous to a country and animal drawn implements are also locally produced, many countries in the region have limited manufacturing facilities for producing mechanical power sources and associated equipment. The removal of non tariff barriers to trade in the region will contribute significantly to reduce the cost of machines to farmers. Present level of mechanization and crop yields in many countries are quite low. There is labor shortage during peak periods and available agricultural labor is getting older and proportion of female labor is increasing. More labor saving and ergonomically appropriate equipment are required to facilitate the work of women and elderly agricultural workers. In all developing countries the percentage of labor in agriculture is very high compared to contribution of agricultural sector to GDP, resulting in relatively very low incomes of farmers and other agricultural workers. Mechanization helps in increasing yields by timely conduct of operations, efficient placement and application of inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and water) and decreasing drudgery. Governments should have policies to promote mechanization for growth in agriculture, improved incomes of agricultural workers and improved food security. Asia and the Pacific region has the largest area under irrigation and the use of electric and diesel pump sets has increased significantly and will continue to increase. There is a need to provide technical and financial support for development of irrigation infrastructure and R & D efforts for irrigation systems to improve water and fertilizer use efficiency. Increased and improved efficiency of utilization of machines available with farmers through custom hiring to neighbor farmers and or through larger operational holdings makes ownership of machines economic and profitable. In addition, assured support prices for the farmers' produce, as well as the availability of off and on farm custom hire possibilities where agricultural machinery could be used, further enhanced the profitability of acquiring agricultural mechanization inputs by farmers. There is a need for favorable government policies to support these service providers by providing them financial support and training. There is a need for favorable government policies to expand the manufacturing sector in all countries. Governments in many countries are providing support services for research and development; testing and standards; and for human resources development in support of agricultural mechanization. Business and enterprise friendly policies, laws, and regulations as well as physical and institutional infrastructures which encourage commercial activities and entrepreneurship in farming, input supply, produce handling, processing and marketing as well as in manufacturing have been and remain, the key factors to success of agricultural mechanization in most countries.