IMPACT OF AGRO MACHINERY SERVICE CENTRES ON LABOUR COST IN PADDY CULTIVATION

Labour scarcity and high wage rate charged by agricultural labourers has increased the cultivation cost of paddy. As a solution to this problem, farmers are adopting mechanization in their farm operations. The mechanization needs of farmers are currently met through Agro Machinery Service Centers (AMSCs), where the services are available on contract basis. It will help the farmers reduce the labor usage, especially in the stages of transplanting and harvesting of paddy. This resulted in over all reduction in their total cost of cultivation.