The third EIMA Agrimach India provided the major agriculture markets of India numerous opportunities to explore the latest solutions and technologies in the agri-equipment segment. A report...

The third international exhibition and conference on agricultural machinery and equipment, the EIMA Agrimach India 2013, was held between 5-7 December, 2013 at IARI, PUSA, New Delhi. The event was conducted jointly by FICCI and UNACOMA and co-organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The event was inspired by EIMA International, the second largest exhibition and conference on farm mechanisation in the world.

EIMA Agrimach India 2013 showcased the best and latest in agri-machinery besides providing an excellent opportunity to Indian and overseas players, and catering to the entire value chain through vertical based national and international pavilions.

Industry overview
The growth rate of India?s agri-machinery sector has been positive in the last few years. The government of India has also introduced several incentives to make the sector more competitive, over the years. The tractor market in the country stood at 5.25 lakh units in the last fiscal and is expected to cross 6 lakh units in the current financial year. The sale of other implements and machines such as combine harvesters, threshers, and other power-operated equipment has also been increasing across the country.

The concerted efforts of government and industry have seen greater adoption of mechanisation in the country, with the benefits of farm mechanisation spreading among all strata of farmers, especially small and marginal farmers, and to regions where availability of farm power is low.

Trends also point to custom hiring of larger machines by small farmers in several states. The usage of farm machinery is expected to accelerate over the next few years, especially in niche segments such as sugarcane harvesters, sugarcane planters, cotton pickers, rice transplanters, etc.

Agrievolution forum
Hosted by FICCI in conjunction with EIMA Agrimach India, more than hundred global agriculture machinery manufacturers, government officials and other industry leaders participated in the Agrievolution Alliance Summit in New Delhi between 5-6 December 2013.

Increased mechanisation for productivity is vital in countries such as India, and some speakers went much further, asserting that the effective use of agriculture machinery in developing countries can help reduce poverty, increase income and improve life expectancy, because agricultural machinery is essential for feeding and clothing the world. Expressing one concern heard in countries around the world, one speaker said that India is concerned about keeping enough younger farmers in agriculture operations.

The summit brought global agriculture leaders together to examine the critical issues of global agriculture to share in open dialogue, exchange data and build relationships. The venue provided an opportunity for leaders to garner information from real in-country sources who have first-hand knowledge of agriculture operations around the world.

The exhibition
Major agri-machinery players from around the world as well as from India, showcased their innovations at the three-day exhibition. Some of the attractions included the products and solutions from John Deere, New Holland Agriculture, Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE), BKT, etc.

New Holland Agriculture attracted a huge footfall to its stand at the EIMA AgriMach 2013, where it displayed a representative sample of complete farm mechanisation solutions for sustainable agriculture. The display included a selection of New Holland tractors manufactured at its production plant in Greater Noida. Also on show were the brand?s crop solution products, as well as a sugarcane harvester and tractor of strategic partner brand Case IH.

New Holland also performed demonstrations of its square baler on paddy straw and displayed a gyro rake and a fertiliser broadcaster in the outdoor demonstration area. On show were the 90 hp TD5.90; the 55hp 3630 TX Special Edition, bristling with special features such as Sky Watch technology, 12+3 gearbox, and OE fitted music system; the 75hp 7500 and the 47hp 4710 in 4 wheel drive version; and the brand new High Clearance version of the 42hp 4510, which is particularly well suited for the cotton growing regions of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.

The display also included partner brand Case IH?s rugged and dependable 65 hp Farmall? 65 tractor, which offers all the power and hydraulics needed for field preparation, seeding, harvesting, mowing, loading and haulage. The New Holland tractors on display were meant for both the domestic and export markets, all except the 3630 TX Special Edition, which is specific to the Indian market.

John Deere India launched a first of its kind sugarcane harvester CH 330 specifically designed to excel in Indian farming conditions. The product was unveiled by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing, Tariq Anwar who handed over the keys of the harvester to clients from Maharashtra.