Kakinada,Dec 4th: The agriculture department of East Godavari district has till now, achieved nearly 50 percent of its target of 2009-10 of the farm mechanisation scheme by allocating various agricultural machinery to beneficiaries. The department's target is to allocate 7,203 units worth Rs 342.18 lakh by the end of 2009-10. Till the end of last November, it could only allocate 1,428 units of the machinery worth Rs 182.027 lakh.

It may be mentioned that mechanisation is one of the critical inputs in agricultural operations. Mechanisation of agriculture assumes greater significance in enhancing crop production and productivity by ensuring timely agriculture operations more effectively and reducing human drudgery. It also gives relief from increased labour costs and labour unrest at crucial hours. Districts with higher level of mechanisation have triggered increased agricultural production and productivity. East Godavari is one such district.

Mechanisation of agriculture is generally associated with the use of tractors, power tillers, harvester combine threshers and such other implements. The National Commission on Agriculture recommended the use of power tillers in rice growing areas and tractors for other crops. At present, the population of tractors in the state is mainly concentrated in the coastal districts including East and West Godavari. All individual farmers including small and marginal farmers, rythu clubs, CMEY beneficiaries water user associations and such bodies of farmers are eligible to get machinery on subsidy.