With investment of over Rs 100 crores, KIRLOSKAR focuses on Small & Marginal Farmers through Smart Farm Technology Solutions

Pune, 5th April, 2018:- Nearly 57.8 percent of India’s rural households are engaged in agriculture. Around 60–70% of the Indian population (directly or indirectly) depends upon the Agriculture sector and currently it contributes to 17–18% of GDP. Of them, over 69 percent possess or work on marginal land holdings, and 17.1 percent, on small landholdings. These farmers have been facing some major constraints & obstacles related to procuring technological support, rise in fixed costs associated with agricultural equipment such as tractors and submersible pumps, hiring of agricultural labourers which has become expensive, etc.

Considering the challenges faced by farmers especially at small & marginal levels, Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. (KOEL) decided to focus especially on these small & marginal farmers in the initial phase. Such farmers having less than 2.0 ha of land, cannot afford expensive mechanization like tractors. However, they are in need of farm mechanization & allied solutions to improve productivity. Kirloskar addresses this need of small farmers by its complete range of KMW products viz. Mega T 15, Mega T 12, Min T 5, Min T 8, etc.

KOEL has meticulously designed and developed the ‘Mega T’ Power Tiller after detailed study of the farming requirements. The reliability, low operating costs and high return on investment of “Mega T” has made Kirloskar the most preferred brand among the farmers of India.

This machine has received several national as well as International awards, viz.

1. CII – Industrial Innovation award

2. AIMA – Breakthrough product innovation award in R & D

3. Rural Marketing – Innovative Ideas for Rural Development

4. India Good Design Award- By the Central Government constituted India Design Council. India Design Mark symbolizes product excellence.

5. The globally renowned Japan Good Design Award 2016 held by Japan Institute for DesignPromotion (JDP) at Tokyo, Japan.

6. Winner of the ‘Golden Peacock Innovative Product/Service Award’ for the year 2018.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Antony Cherukara – VP Corporate Strategy & Business Head Agriculture said:“KMW by Kirloskar is focused on transforming & enriching farmer’s lives through innovative technology, products and delivery. Today, success in farming is about smart investment, farm yield can only be increased through mechanization which should be affordable and should create ownership, and this is why we at Kirloskar are there. I urge the farmers, especially small & marginal to make full usage of this Smart Machine to increase farm productivity. Kirloskar has always been with the farmers and with investments of over Rs 100 Crore our aim is to ultimately benefit each and every farmer in India in the long run.”

Mr. R. R. Deshpande- Joint Managing Director expressed his satisfaction and said that, “Continuous and proactive planning and strategic measures have made KOEL one of the biggest and most sought after engineering solution providers globally. The introduction of the entire KMW range of the Power Tiller & power weeder shows our commitment to the farmers and our support to the Government of India’s “Make in India” initiative. The overwhelming acceptance of our products and services particularly amongst the farmers in all the regions reinforces our belief that we are on the right track of our Vision in the larger perspective.”