Farm equipment major John Deere has launched a new sugarcane harvester developed and designed specifically for the Indian market.

The sugarcane harvester CH 330 powered by a 198 horse power engine, four-wheel drive and advanced hydraulic technology is designed to suit the Indian farming conditions.

Priced at Rs 1.5 crore per unit, John Deere expects to sell about 18-20 harvesters in the current year, said Satish Nadiger, Managing Director of the Indian operations of the US farm equipment producer.

Growing demand

“There is a growing demand for sugarcane harvesters from Indian consumers as labour shortage is becoming a challenge,” said Ravi Menon, Director-Sales and Marketing, John Deere India.

The company plans to target states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu initially with the new harvester.

The new harvester can help farmers cut up to 80 tonnes of cane per hour. “In terms of cost, farmers, entrepreneurs and sugar factories can expect a payback in about three years,” Menon said.

The harvesters are currently imported from the United States and the company may explore options to assemble them locally provided the volumes justify.

Nadiger said India has been a focus market for John Deere and the company will continue to invest and bring new products and programmes that help farmers move from subsistence levels to become business entrepreneurs.

Last month, John Deere had invested Rs 400 crore in a new tractor factory at Dewas in Madhya Pradesh.

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