The EIMA Agrimach exhibition – kicked off this morning in New Delhi and ending on Saturday the 5th of December – offers the opportunity to highlight the role India plays on the world agricultural stage. The Asian giant, with an agricultural net area of over 140 million hectares, stands out as one of the leading producers of agricultural commodities.
According to the “Advanced Estimates” data by the Indian Ministry, agriculture recorded excellent results in the fiscal year 2013-2014: grains reached the total share of 265 million tons, with an increase of 3% over the previous year. With over 106 million tons, India confirmed to be the second producer of rice after China, while in the sector of wheat the 2013-2014 season proved to be the best ever with 96 million tons (+3%). High is also the productin of maize, that reached the share of over 24 million tons. However, soil productivity is in many cases still low, due to the yields per hectare, sometimes equal to the half of those obtained in other countries. A factor of reduction of the Indian potential is given by meteorological variables, especially related to the performance of the monsoon season. In the year 2014/2015, due to rainfall that were lower by 12% than the average, it is estimated that the kharif crop (ie the one made during the monsoon season) recorded a decline by 7% for the “food grains”.
Indian engineers believe that a more consistent use of agricultural mechanization may be the key tool to increase soil productivity and hence compensate for the losses due to uncertain weather trends.
The country has in fact invested substantial resources for the development of agricultural mechanization and today, with over 600,000 tractors sold every year throughout the country, is the first market in the world, with amounts 4-5 times higher than those registered on traditional markets such as Europe and United States.
