To provide farmers affordable access to cutting-edge technology at their doorsteps, custom hiring centres (CHCs) have been set up across the country which rent out farm equipment to farmers.
Traditional methods and equipments are increasingly being replaced by technological alternatives. For instance, the traditional oxen-powered scraper is being replaced by a laser-guided land-leveller, which not only saves time but also increases efficiency. It flattens a field in a fraction of the time used by the oxen-powered scraper, thus not only increasing productivity by 10 to 15 per cent but also saving precious water.
There are now over 38,000 custom hiring centres CHCs across the country. Now, an app is going to be launched which will efficiently connect farmers with these centres, just like uber does with cabs. The app will show the centres having equipment available within 5, 20, and 50 km of the farmer’s location. On calling or booking, the booked piece of equipment will turn up just like an uber cab does.
The app to be released by the agriculture ministry is ready for registration by farmers, societies, and entrepreneurs, who run these CHCs. So far, more than 26,800 CHCs have registered to offer more than one lakh pieces of equipment for hire. In this regard, successful demo runs have been made in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
Key Features of the APP
* The app lets farmers hire tractors, rotovators, etc., on rent for a flexible tenure, providing farmers easy access to equipment they may otherwise not buy or use.
* It includes a rating system wherein feedback from both the CHCs and the farmers will allow customers to make informed decisions.
* It will create an invaluable database for policymakers who can track the use and cost of the farm equipment that are offered for rent.