Chandigarh, Sep 22: Tractor major Mahindra & Mahindra today showcased its high-powered air conditioned tractor, which will be rolled out before the end of this year with an aim to target evolved tractor market in the country.
“We are displaying 85 HP tractor ‘Arjun International' with AC cabin for the first time in the country which will facilitate farming for longer hours,” company's Chief Executive, Tractor and Farm Mechanisation Business (Farm Equipment Sector), Bishwambhar Mishra said today.
The tractor was put on display at the ‘Kisan Mela' organised by the Punjab Agricultural University at Ludhiana. Stating that the new AC tractor would be launched before the end of this year, Mishra said it would be priced at Rs 15 lakh compared with 60 HP ordinary tractor of Rs 7 lakh.
Though the size of the AC tractor market in the country is not big, Mishra said that the company would be eyeing to sell this highly advanced machine in evolved markets including Punjab, southern and western parts of the country.
“It (AC tractors) is a niche market and the trend of AC tractors will soon pick up in the country,” he said while adding that this tractor would be produced at its plant in Mumbai.
Mahindra & Mahindra is already selling AC tractors in US markets.
Farm equipment maker also announced the launch of its first AC cabin harvester ‘AppliTrac' which carries a price tag of Rs 18 lakh a unit.
The AC Cabin Harvester Combine has a 128 H.P BS III engine and it boasts of the latest features like toogle hook, lock ring type wheel rim (two piece), new air tank and increased fuel tank capacity.
“We are extremely proud to launch the Mahindra AppliTrac AC Cabin Harvester in Punjab where the agricultural community has always been receptive to our farming technologies. This facilitates availability of advanced farm machinery to provide better mechanisation to farmers,” Mishra said.
Besides, the company has also showcased its entire range of products at PAU to woo farmers coming from various places in Punjab.
Mahindra and Mahindra has also embarked upon its new vision of FarmTech prosperity by converting its existing tractor dealerships to Samriddhi Centers which offer value added services such as Soil testing facility, Agri counselling, method demonstrations, amongst other services.
“Till date, we have 139 Samriddhi centres which are working actively with farmers to deliver farmer prosperity.
With labour being in short supply and increase in input cost and wage rates, spreading and enhancing farm mechanization is also an integral part of our strategy” said Sanjeev Goyle, Senior Vice President, Marketing and AppliTrac, Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. PTI
