Assessing the Level of Mechanisation in Toria Cultivation System: An Evaluative Study in Assam
Maitrayee Dutta
Department of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
Pallabi Bora *
Department of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
Utpal Barman
Department of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
Horindra Gogoi
Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
Monisha Borah
Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
Borsha Neog
Department of Agricultural Statistics, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785013, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The assessment of the level of mechanisation in toria cultivation focused on the utilisation of different power sources and the sources of access to different types of farm machinery. The findings highlight opportunities to promote appropriate farm machinery and improve access to mechanisation to reduce labour-intensive farming practices in Assam.
Study Design: The study followed an analytical research design.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken in eight districts of Assam across four agro-climatic zones, namely, the Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone, Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone, North Bank Plain Zone and Central Brahmaputra Valley Zone. Jorhat and Golaghat were selected from the Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone (UBVZ); Sonitpur and Darrang from the North Bank Plain Zone (NBPZ); Barpeta and Goalpara from the Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone (LBVZ); and Morigaon and Nagaon from the Central Brahmaputra Valley Zone (CBVZ). Data were collected between January and March 2026 using a structured schedule.
Methodology: A total of 320 respondents from the four agro-climatic zones of Assam were included in the study. Respondents were selected on the basis of their involvement in toria cultivation and their experience of using different types of farm machinery for various cultivation operations, thereby ensuring that the information reflected actual farm-level mechanisation practices. Data were collected using a structured schedule. A multistage random sampling technique was followed.
Results: Various major implements were used by the respondents. Among these implements, disc ploughs were owned by 23.75% of respondents, power tillers by 30.62%, tractors by 29.37%, rotary tillers by 25.62% and disc harrows by 24.06%. Among the 320 respondents, the majority had a medium level of mechanisation, followed by low and high levels of mechanisation.
Conclusion: The mechanisation index for toria cultivation was highest for field preparation (92.96%), followed by threshing (78.12%). Harvesting had a mechanisation index of 42.11%, whereas fertiliser application had an index of 42.31%. The ownership pattern further revealed that farmers generally possessed traditional and relatively inexpensive implements, whereas costly and advanced machinery was largely accessed through hiring arrangements.
Keywords: Utilisation, Toria, Assam, Machineries, Mechanisation index