CSIR-NGRI Lead E-Tractor, E-Tiller roadshow
The roadshow aims to support farmers with sustainable technology: Reports
HYDERABAD: In sync with the global shift towards green vehicles, Durgapur-based CSIR Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) has developed two electric vehicles for farming operations — e-tiller and e-tractor — that could free farmers from the dependence on costlier imported diesel.
The vehicles were demonstrated during a nationwide roadshow organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI), Hyderabad, e-tractor (PRIMA-ET-11) and e-tiller on May 11 to mark the National Technology Day. The roadshow started in CSIR-IIIM Jammu and after Hyderabad its next stop would be in CSIR-NIIST Thiruvananthapuram.
CSIR-CMERI has been a pioneer in agricultural innovation for decades, and had developed India's first indigenous tractor — Swaraj — in 1974.
The e-tractor has a top speed of 25 kilometre per hour (kmph) and a peak power of 26 horse power (hp). The vehicle's 500-kg lift capacity and battery capacity of 72 voltage and 200 Ampere-Hours delivers a 60 per cent running cost saving in comparison to diesel counterparts.
Similarly, the e-Tiller, a compact lightweight and handy machine with electronic controls with clutch-less operation, gives 85 per cent savings in operating costs. Both the vehicles could be charged using solar or grid power.
Participating in a panel discussion, a few farmers wondered if small farmers could afford these machines. In their reply, the representatives of CSIR-CMERI said they are actively pushing the government to subsidise the purchases of electric farm vehicles and are trying to increase the horsepower further.
The panel included chief guest Dr Srinivas Reddy, director CSIR-IICT, along with Dr Prakash Kumar, director CSIR- NGRI, Dr Naresh Chandra Murmu, director of CSIR-CMERI and Sudha Reddy, managing director of K.N. Bio-Science.
Talking about the new technology Dr. Prakash Kumar, director of CSIR-NGRI said, “For technology to grow, we need resources. This is the primary ingredient for any country to become a developer and for technology to develop”.