The farm mechanization has been well received world over as one of the important elements of modernization of agriculture. Adoption of mechanization ensures timeliness of agricultural operations and reduces cost of production as well as reduces drudgery in carrying out various agricultural operations. Equipment for various operations like tillage, sowing, irrigation, plant protection and threshing etc, are generally being used by farming community. The use of modern agricultural machinery and improved farming technique have definitely increased the production and productivity in agriculture as well as generated better job opportunity. The engineering inputs to develop suitable policies for farm equipments, appropriate package of farming technology etc. are receiving adequate support. The research and development groups involved in such activities in various organizations and agricultural Universities have made commendable contribution. Still farm power and machinery has to play an important role in Indian agriculture to boost agricultural production in order to meet the demand of rising population. Farm machines supplied to the farmers must ensure functional and life reliability. For this, testing of farm machines as per well-established standard procedure is most important criteria to judge its quality and performance. Therefore, testing and evaluation of agricultural equipments shall needs to be promoted and accelerated for providing the quality machines to the users.
The rapid demand on farm machinery has promoted many manufacturers to take up production of farm machinery. With heavy investment on farm machinery, it is necessary to have some means of assessing the performance of machines being brought out by the various manufacturers before being used by the farmers. The Testing Centre developed in various institutes or State Agricultural Universities act as an important link between manufacturers and the end users of farm machines with the following objectives given below: 1. To test agricultural machinery manufactured within the country or imported with a view to assess their functional suitability and performance characteristics so that published test results would: • Serve as a basis to decide the type of machine best suited for Indian conditions to encourage import, production and popularization. • Help the end users and purchasers in determining the comparative performance of machines available in market. • Provide material to engineers and extension workers for guiding the end users in proper selection of equipment. • Form the basis for standard specification to be used by the manufacturers, distributors and dealers. • Help financial institutions in recommending financial assistance both to the manufacturers and the end users. 2. To carry out feasibility testing trials of machines which have proved successful in other regions of the world with a view to examine the possibility of their introduction in the Country. 3. To promote export of agricultural machines through testing in accordance with the International standards. 4. To assist Bureau of Indian Standards in formulation of standards for testing of agricultural machines covered under the scope of Certification Marks Scheme.
