Mechanization of Dryland Agriculture

Contents: Preface. 1. Dryland agriculture in India - national perspective/Y.S. Ramakrishna. 2. Mechanization of dryland agriculture in India: scope and importance/Y.M. Mayande. 3. Role of mechanization in dryland agriculture/R.P. Singh. 4. Changes in farm power and energy scenario in dryland agriculture/C.R. Thyagaraj. 5. Design of post harvest equipment for dryland crops/I. Srinivas. 6. Role of farm power in bridging yield gap in dryland/K.P.R. Vittal. 7. Farm power based land use planning in rainfed agriculture/K.P.R. Vittal. 8. Wear mechanism in agriculture tools and studies on soil tools interaction in drylands/B. Sanjeeva Reddy. 9. Research and educational issues in dryland mechanization/V.M. Mayande. 10. Mechanization needs for intercropping systems in rainfed agriculture/J.V. Rao. 11. Scope of mechanization in horticultural crops in rainfed horticulture crops/N.N. Reddy. 12. Mechanization of rainfed horticultural crops: status, scope and strategies/A.G. Powar. 13. Parameters for improving the use efficiency of chemical sprays for effective pest control/Y.G. Prasad. 14. Mechanization in oilseeds production/D.M. Hegde. 15. Role of plant protection equipment in IPM/G. Shankar. 16. Importance of calibration and maintenance of plant protection equipment/S.N. Pathak. 17. Optimization of energy consumption levels for maximizing cotton yield in mechanized rainfed cotton production system/R.G. Nadre. 18. Policy, issues and implications of mechanization in dryland agriculture/K.V. Subrahmanyam. 19. Potential of dryland farm mechanization in finger millet and groundnut based production system for alfisols/M.A. Shankar. 20. Role of mechanization in  improving fertilizer use efficiency in rainfed agriculture/K.L. Sharma. 21. Micro-site improvement for perennials in agro-forestry: role of farm mechanization/G.R. Korwar. 22. Precision agriculture/G.R. Ramakrishna Murthy. 23. Scope of bio-diesel in farm mechanization/G. Rajeshwar Rao. 24. Bio-fuels processing and utilization/I. Srinivas. 25. Non-conventional sources of energy/K.V. Sharma. 26. Rainfall and overland and flow simulation in laboratory for soil and water conservation studies - use of tilting, hydraulic flumes and rainfall simulator/P.K. Mishra. 27. Sustainability of tillage practices for rainfed crops under different  soil and climatic situations in India/G.R. Maruthi Shankar. 28. Prospects of mechanization in nursery development and management/Md. Osman. 29. Bio-mass incorporation studies using different mechanization options/R.V. Adake. 30. On-farm value addition of rainfed crops/B. Sanjeeva Reedy. 31. Mechanization research under rainfed agro-eco system of NATP/B. Venkateswarlu. 32. Mechanization for value addition in medicinal, aromatic and dye crops/G. Pratibha. 33. Weed control in drylands: scope for mechanization/G.R. Korwar. 34. Meteorological instruments for agricultural research/G.G.S.N. Rao. 35. Emerging trends in information technology/G.R. Ramakrishna Murthy. 36. Decision support system in farm machinery applications - a case study on tillage/C.R. Thyagaraj. 37. Electronics in agricultural automation/N.P. Thomas. 38. Equipment and design of micro-irrigation systems for dryland crops/K.V. Rao. 39. Intellectual property rights in agricultural research system: design patenting/V.M. Mayande. 40. Mechanization: agri-business prospects in India/A.G. Powar. 41. Use of fibre glass composites in manufacture of agriculture/B. Siva Sambi Reddy. 42. Custom hiring: a tool for enhancing the productivity of dryland crops in alfisols/M.A. Shankar. 43. Small farm mechanization to reduce drudgery of farm women in rainfed agriculture/G. Subba Reddy. 44. Indigenous technical knowledge on farm mechanization in rainfed areas/G. Subba Reddy. 45. Transfer to technology programmes for effective farm mechanization/M.R. Hegde. 46. Socio-economic factors in mechanization of dryland agriculture/Y.V.R. Reddy. 47. New initiative for community mobilization: action learning/Sreenath Dixit. 48. Progress and impact of farm mechanization in India/C.A. Rama Ramo. 49. Gender issues in mechanization of dryland agriculture/V. Maruthi. 50. Mechanization of major oilseeds and cereals in drylands/Aum Sarma. Subject Index.

"Dryland Mechanization improves productivity, profitability and sustainability of dryland agriculture. Mechanization of Dryland Agriculture involves identification and selection of suitable machinery and implements for different operations based on location specific needs and power resources available. Network of small fabricators in rural areas is important to ensure local availability of proven tools. Custom hiring of implements in becoming increasingly popular due to timeliness and economic factors. Industry and custom hiring enterprises not only ensures as supply of quality implements and availability for use on payment of small rental charges respectively but also creates skilled jobs for rural youths. These issues are discussed in depth by well experienced authors in their respective fields.

The book covers topics on design and development of implements suitable for different farming systems in drylands to achieve timeliness and precision, manufacturing industry perspective, agri-business potential, custom hiring centres, automation, value addition, role of information technology, socio-economic aspects, gender and policy issues etc. The book provides a wholesome insight into mechanization of dryland agriculture in India. Mechanization needs, design criteria, manufacturing technology, extension through industry and custom hiring centres, use of information technology, agro-business etc are important issues covered in addition to technical, industrial, social, economic, gender and policy issues. The book will be most beneficial to planners, policy makers, scientists, teachers, students, extension workers and rural development agencies." (jacket)