The agrarian sector has undoubtedly benefited much from large-scale farming practices ushered in by the Green Revolution. Nevertheless, that fraction of the country's agricultural community, which has relatively low per capita land holding has not had adequate access to farming technologies that can boost productivity. For the past several years the Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA) of IIT Bombay has been focusing on the needs of these "less visible" users. Amongst others, these efforts have recently resulted in the engineering of a Riding Type Power Tiller (10 HP). Essentially, a low cost traction and haulage vehicle - in other words, a small tractor - it is ideally suited for farmers possessing less than 10 acres of land. It can be employed dexterously both for agricultural and light-load transportation operations.

Multi-use Features
Currently available Walking-type Power Tillers have a number of disadvantages: difficult steering operation (a constraint for transportation uses), high degree of physical stress induced by continuous manual operation, and reduced effectiveness due to the need for the operator to walk behind power tiller. Not only does the newly developed power tiller overcome these drawbacks (see box on Salient Features), it packs in attractive multi-use features as well(see box on Applications).

Different matching implements can be attached to the rear end of the power tiller, as needed. Thus, in the farms, the tiller can be used for opening of land, by breaking big clods. When a lawn mower is attached, it cuts the grass. With a trolley attached, it can be used for transporting produce or cargo. In addition, the engine of the power tiller can be used for stationary applications, like running an irrigation pump, electric generator, thresher etc. Lastly, as it is a 3-wheeled vehicle, it can take a short turn in the field, which is very convenient for horticultural enterprises.

This power tiller has two gears. In the first gear, the travel speed can be in the range of 1-6 km/h, which is convenient for tillage operations; whereas in the second gear the travel speed lies in the range of 6-20 km/h, more suited to transportation uses.

The Cost
From the prototype building experience it is estimated that the basic unit may cost less than Rs. 1.00 lakh. Large-scale manufacturing by a competent engineering organization is certainly expected to bring further cost reductions. There are farmers who find it difficult to afford the initial cost of a regular tractor. Usually, in such cases the only way out is the use of bullocks. But then one has to put up with lower efficiencies and other inconveniences. The power tiller can be a boon to such users. The multipurpose use of the vehicle can deliver higher number of hours of use per year, and so allow a more complete use of the machine.