The Kerala Agro Machinery Corporation Limited (KAMCO) is all set to add power to the agri-sector in the state with the launch a ‘New Generation Tiller’, from its new facility at Kuthuparamba in Kannur.
The company would get a subsidy of `10-crore for the new plant. Priced at around `1.50 lakh, the light weight tiller will have more speed. KAMCO will sell these tillers in Palakkad, Alappuzha and Thrissur districts initially.
The construction of the Kuthuparamba plant, in 10 acres of land provided by the KSIDC on a 30 years lease, will begin in December this year.
Though the state-owned corporation is witnessing a fall in profits, the company is hopeful of reaping a profit in the coming years.
Charupara Ravi, Chairman, KAMCO said that the design for the Kuthuparamba unit is ready and construction of the plant would begin before December 15.
“Availability of workers with technical know-how is the major challenge faced by the company now. The profit of the company was almost halved due to the investment done in the new plant. We also reduced production recently. Owing to these factors the profit of the company will be `5 crore this year, which is less than the previous fiscal. But with the new production facility in place KAMCO is hopeful of making profits,” he said.
Ravi said KAMCO products are currently being exported to countries like Bangladesh, Haiti and Sri Lanka. Efforts are on to explore the market in Italy, he said.
KAMCO is a fully owned undertaking of the Kerala government established in 1973 to cater to the farming requirements of small and marginal scale farmers. The company’s product range include tillers, tractors, reapers and diesel engines.
Four Units
At present, KAMCO has four units located at Athani and Kalamassery in Ernakulam District, Kanjikode in Palakkad and Mala in Trissur.
The company has 750 employees including contract workers, and can produce 8400 Power Tillers and 1200 Power Reapers per annum.
V Saithumuhammed, Secretary, KAMCO Union-AITUC said politically supported appointments are a major cause of worry for the company now.
“Otherwise the company would have performed much better,” he said.