Utilization Pattern of Tractors in Nalanda District of Bihar- A Case Study

Farm mechanization is a very important input in agricultural production. The number of tractors has increased rapidly and population of draft animals has been decreasing in Bihar in recent years. A study was undertaken to find the tractor utilization pattern and their economics in Nalanda District of Bihar. The average annual use of farm tractors was 1,772.62 hours, in which about 70.47 % were used in custom hiring and only 29.53 % used for personal work. Maximum use of the farm tractor was 54 % in transportation. The average cost of operation of a tractor was Rs. 145.20 per hour for an 18.65 kW tractor and Rs. 168.15 per hour for a 26.11 kW tractor. The cost of operation decreased with the increase in annual use of the tractor. Also, the total operational cost per hour increased with the increase in size of the tractor. The annual use of tractors in tillage, threshing, agricultural purpose transportation, custom use and miscellaneous use was 14.69, 1.18, 5.59, 70.47 and 8.06 % of total annual use, respectively. The average Break-Even Point (BEP) of a tractor was about 596.42 h/year for an 18.65 kW tractor and 685.20 h/year for a 26.11 kW tractor. Average annual use in each case was higher than their break even points, indicating that their purchase and use in the study area was profitable.