SIRSI: A new paddy planting machine has come as a ray of hope for farmers, who are fed up with labour shortage and prohibitive cost. The machine developed with Chinese technology was exhibited by the VST Tillers and Tractor Company at Krishi Vijnana Kendra here.
It has the capacity to plant paddy spurts in 10 acres in a day for which three workers are sufficient, said the VST representatives. The cost of planting manually would be about Rs 2500 per acre whereas with this machine it would be just Rs 500.
The machine costs Rs 1.65 lakh. However. the government provides a subsidy of Rs 65,000. It consumes one litre fuel per acre for planting.
Though the machine is expensive for individuals to go for it, local co-operative societies or youth organisations may own the machine for mass use on hire basis in villages, it is felt.