LUDHIANA, MAY 16: “Keeping in view the rapid increase in the manufacturing of farm machinery, testing of agricultural machinery is vital to make manufactures aware of the performance and durability of their equipment for efficient use. It also helps the farmers in wise selection of the required machine,” said the experts of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). The farmers, at present, are using manual, tractor drawn and self-propelled machines depending upon the climatic, social and economic conditions. The experts told that the machine testing aims at making further improvements in quality of products and to help farmers and other prospective buyers in determining the comparative performance of machines available in the market.
Dr J.S. Mahal, Head of FMPE, divulged that “Farm Machinery Testing Centre” of PAU, established in 1969, has tested more than 800 farm machines/engines. Recently, the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, has approved 21 institutions for testing and certifying agricultural machinery and equipments for ensuring supply of quality farm machinery and equipments under government programmes. The PAU Centre is also among these approved institutions, highlighted Dr Mahal.
The expert, Dr G.S. Manes said that different types of agri-machines, manufactured in Punjab and other parts of the country, such as rotavator, no till drill, potato planter, reaper binder, centrifugal pump, plant protection equipment, etc., have been tested by the PAU centre. The major objective of machine testing and evaluation is to decide the type of machine best suited for agro-climatic conditions which could be encouraged for import, production and adoption, he added.
Elaborating, Dr Arshdeep Singh, said that the other purpose of testing the machinery is to help the manufacturers in their efforts in export promotion and provide technical competency to engineers and extension workers in educating the farmers and other interested buyers in the selection of machinery/ equipment. The focus is also on evaluating farm machines and implements available in other countries with a view to examining the possibility of their introduction in the country.
Discussing about the importance of machine testing, the expert Dr Bhupinder Singh, said that it helps the consumers in choosing a standard product, protects them from deception and assures them of safety against hazards to life and property. He added that it enables the manufacturer to add more information to the technical literature related to the machine and to win confidence and goodwill of wholesalers, retailers, stockiest and consumers. For any further information/query, regarding testing of any machine/equipment, the PAU farm engineers can be contacted at Ph. No. 0161-2408684, 2401960/Ext.(257).
