Farm mechanisation push shifts to small electric machines

India recorded its best tractor year ever in FY26 with domestic wholesales of 11,60,231 units, up 23.5 per cent, and retail volumes crossing ten lakh for the first time. Despite this, overall farm mechanisation remains stuck around 47 per cent, against roughly 60 per cent in China and 75 per cent in Brazil. The Hindu Businessline reports a parliamentary committee said reaching 75-80 per cent would take 25 years at current rates, with 86 per cent of operational holdings under two hectares making large tractors impractical.

Electrification is arriving from the bottom of the power range upward. India's largest small-farm machinery maker sold over 11,000 power weeders in FY26, up 52 per cent, and grew reaper volumes 44 per cent. The Hindu Businessline says a major manufacturer unveiled its first electric power tiller and power weeder in November 2025, while smaller firms have sold battery weeders for some time. Below 7 kW, the energy arithmetic favours electric motors, which deliver full torque from zero speed and carry no partial-load penalty.

The Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation has released ₹9,404 crore since 2014-15. GST on farm machinery came down to 5 per cent in September 2025, reducing the price of a 13 HP power tiller by roughly ₹11,875. Roughly 53 per cent of India's non-tractor agricultural machinery imports come from China. The outlet notes that manufacturers who design motor, controller, battery packs and thermal management as one system will close the cost gap, not component-level import substitution.