Lemken India Agro Equipment, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the world’s largest pre-harvest equipment manufacturer Lemken GmbH, will soon introduce Compact Disc Harrow Heliodor, used for seedbed preparation with minimum tillage.

The Heliodor is available in width ranging from three to 12 metres that can suit all sorts of farming operation.

Reversible ploughs

Lemken currently sells reversible ploughs that are attached to tractors. It features modern Unitern hydraulic turnover mechanism with specialised fittings to provide precise, safe and quick turnover action. The strong turnover axle with special hardened steel can with stand hard shock loads.

The ploughs can go up deep (up to 14 inches) into the soil and invert it, eliminating the occurrence of weed. The conventional equipment can plough only up to 6-7 inches, said Arvind Kumar, Managing Director, Lemken India.

“The demand for modern agriculture equipment is growing steadily in India as availability and cost of labour has become the prick point for farmers,” he said.

With a manufacturing centre at Nagpur in Maharashtra, Lenken has sold 500 units of Reversible Plough Opal in last one year and targets to double its sales next year. Lemken products in India are priced between Rs 1.3 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh.

Founded in 1780, the German-headquartered company is now run by seventh generation of the founding family. The company plans to invest Rs 70 crore in its second phase of expansion in India. With the rupee being volatile, the company is now negotiating with three steel makers to source the key raw material in India.

The company’s product will be subsidised to farmers in Uttar Pradesh, which has given its approval for it. The firm is negotiating with Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka for a similar facility, said Kumar.

“We want State governments to enhance the subsidy as banks are not financing agriculture implements as they are not registered with the Regional Transport Office, he said.

>suresh.iyengar@thehindu.co.in

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