A farm implement that promises to be a boon for small farmers
As a substitute for a pair of bullocks, a
farm implement called Mech Bull has
been developed for small farmers who
cannot afford tractors and power tillers.
Sponsored by Vigyan Ashram in
Pabal village in Pune, Mech Bull is a
multipurpose farm implement that
carries out various agricultural operations
such as ploughing and seeding, pumping
water, carrying chaff, and can also be used
as a cutter and thresher.
Meant for'small cultivators, this
crude-looking mir)i-tractor has a 6
horsepower, air-cooled diesel engine
and reconditioned jeep gear reassembled on a sturdy steel chassis fabricated for the purpose. Costing a moderate Rs 37,000, Mech Bull is
suitable for assembly and repairs by
any rural diesel engine mechanic and workshop.
While 5 prototypes have been made
in Pabal village and field tested over 5
years on a modest budget of Rs 1.9 lakh,
the Vigyan Ashram is willing to train
people to assemble the implement elsewhere.
Applauded by local farmers as
ideal for their needs, Mech Bull MK 11
and MK III have proved to be dependable
workhorses and are in regular use in the
Vigyan Ashram and its neighbourhood. Work on MK IV is underway
and this model will be simpler, cheaper
and restricted to land tilling and water pumping.
The main impediment to popularising the implement is a clarification of
its status vis-a-vis the Motor Vehicles Act.
Besides, making the implement eligible for bank loans to small farmers will also go a long way in making it effective,
versatile and popular.
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