Nuh is the only aspirational district of Haryana, where the majority of the population resides in rural areas and depends primarily on agriculture and allied activities for livelihood. The district is characterized by low farm mechanization due to poor awareness among farmers, lack of capital to purchase machines, non-availability of custom hiring centers, and limited outreach of government and non-profit institutions. Traditional farming practices, rising labor costs, limited irrigation facilities, sandy loam soil, and a semi-arid climate contribute to low productivity per acre.
Farm mechanization presents a viable option for improving crop yields and farmers’ income; however, small and marginal farmers face constraints such as high costs, limited technical knowledge, and inadequate access to machinery. In this context, local institutions such as Village Development Committees (VDCs) play a critical enabling role in overcoming these barriers and promoting access to mechanization at the village level.
This study examines the role of VDCs in promoting farm mechanization and its impact on farmers’ income. A mixed-method approach was adopted, including primary data collected through interviews and focus group discussions with farmers in seven villages, and secondary data from government and other relevant sources. The primary data was drawn from project villages of S M Sehgal Foundation, where a farm mechanization initiative was implemented. Under the project, farm machines such as reapers, laser levelers, bed makers, power weeders, seed drills, seed-cum-fertilizer drills, and chisel ploughs were provided to local agri-entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs rented out the machines to other farmers in the village. The objective was to enable farmers to adopt mechanized field operations, reduce cultivation costs, and create local livelihood opportunities for agri-entrepreneurs.
Interview of local women farmers and VDC members in Tapkan village, Nuh, Haryana
The findings indicate that VDCs play a vital role in raising awareness, building farmers’ capacities, and facilitating access to machinery as a shared community asset. Acting as a bridge between the non-profit organization and the community, VDCs promote trust and ensure wider adoption of technology. Although VDC members do not receive any commission, they gain leadership experience and contribute to community development. Farmers benefit from rental charges that are lower than prevailing market rates.
The intervention has encouraged farmers to shift from traditional practices to improved technologies, leading to better time management, higher productivity, and reduced labor dependence. On average, farmers reported savings of fifteen to twenty percent per acre on cultivation costs and an approximate twenty percent increase in crop yield. For instance, in Basai village, a marginal farmer increased tomato production from 700 crates per acre before mechanization to 1,100 crates per acre after adopting improved practices. Farmers reported an annual income increase ranging from ₹7,000 to ₹20,000 per acre, depending on landholding size. Agri-entrepreneurs earned between ₹10,000 and ₹1,00,000 per season, depending on machine usage and effort.
Interview of local women farmers and VDC members in Tapkan village, Nuh, Haryana
The experience from Basai village shows how access to better tools and guidance can change farming practices. Through the project, the farm school at his field introduced improved methods such as proper bed preparation, mulching, staking, and drip irrigation. These practices helped reduce crop damage, save time during farm operations, and improve crop management.
This example reflects the larger findings of the study. When Village Development Committees (VDCs) support farmers and local agri-entrepreneurs, it becomes easier for farmers to try and adopt new technologies. Such efforts can help lower cultivation costs, improve incomes, and encourage more sustainable farming practices. The model also offers useful lessons for promoting custom hiring services and farmer-led institutions in other parts of rural India.
(Author: Kshama Rani, Master of Social Work, Gurugram University)
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