Method demonstration on Cotton picking machine at Ibrahimpur village on 07-01-2021

A method demonstration on ''Cotton picking machine'' was organized at adopted Ibrahimpur (v), Narayanraopet (m), Siddipet district by Dr. A.V. Ramanjaneyulu, Sr. Scientist (Agro.) & Head, ARS, Tornala and J. Vijay, Scientist (Crop Production), DAATTC, Tornala. Mr. Nagarjuna, AEO, Mr. Kameshwar Raju from G-COT, Mr. V. Purushottham, Agriculture expert from DEV fruit company and another 15 village farmers were present. At the outset, Dr. A.V. Ramanjaneyulu has emphasized the need for partial or complete mechanization in cotton, in view of increasing labour cost and scarcity of labour subsequent hike in cost of cultivation of cotton. Farmers have to take up sowing with tractor drawn seed cum ferti drill instead of manual sowing. He further told farmers to alter the spacing from 90cmx60cm or 90cmx90 to 120cmx45xm and can carry out intercultivation with tractor drawn blade/mini tractor operated rotavator/power tiller operated rotavator depending on the stage of crop. Further, spraying of plant protection chemicals except herbicides can be done with power sprayer or tractor operated boom sprayer. He explained and demonstrated to the farmers the use of cotton picking machine which works based on the principle of suction. This machine consists of a battery, cotton sucking unit and cotton collection bag and costs about Rs. 5500/- per unit. He told that though the machine is not substitute for labour, but, its usage saves 30% labour and cost thus can be used to overcome labour shortage to some extent. He strongly advocated the farmers to go for partial or complete mechanization to overcome ever increasing labour problem and cost of production.