Understanding Adoption, Preferences and Performance of Agricultural Machinery in Punjab

Abstract

Punjab’s narrow interval between rice harvesting and wheat sowing creates significant challenges for managing paddy straw without burning. This report examines the adoption, ownership, condition and operational performance of agricultural and crop residue management machinery across 18 districts. It draws on field surveys conducted in 4,246 villages in 2023 and 2024, covering machinery used for harvesting, direct seeding, land preparation, and in situ and ex situ residue management.

The findings show that government subsidies have accelerated the adoption of specialized crop residue management equipment, while farmers continue to purchase conventional, multipurpose machinery largely through private investment. Individual ownership remains prevalent as farmers seek dependable access during short harvesting and sowing windows. The analysis also identifies shifts in technology preferences, including strong use of the Super Seeder, declining use of the Happy Seeder, early growth of the Smart Seeder and expanding baler operations in areas with viable biomass markets.

The report finds that machinery performance and suitability vary considerably across Punjab based on soil type, cropping systems, residue volumes and proximity to industrial straw buyers. It recommends more locally tailored subsidies, stronger repair and maintenance networks, enforcement of straw-chopping requirements for combine harvesters, and better alignment between baler deployment and downstream markets. These findings provide an evidence base for more targeted approaches to agricultural mechanization and sustainable crop residue management.