Tribal students design plough that does a better job with considerably less effort
ALIRAJPUR: It is the marginal farmer who will benefit from this new plough. We plan to commercially manufacture and sell it
GANESH SHANKAR MISHRA, Alirajpur collector
Taking inspiration from the 700 year old heavy European plough, a group of tribal students at the ITI, Alirajpur, have designed their own plough that does a better job of ploughing at much less effort, drawing appreciation from all around.
According to agriculture experts, the European plough had revolutionised agriculture in central and northern Europe where the soil is heavier as compared to soil in southern Europe where the traditional plough was used.
Named ‘Alirajpur Hal’ (Alirajpur plough), the plough has two wheels as a result of which the bulls have to put in much less effort while pulling the plough.
Right after the wheels there is a big broad knife that cuts the soil, which is followed by a hook shaped cutter that brings out the soil.
The farmer controls the plough with both hands, which requires much less effort.
Hitesh Kamedia and Virendra Bhinde who were part of the team that made the plough said they plan to make an upgraded version which will require only one bull and the farmer would be able to sit on the plough.
The plough has been kept at the agriculture department’s farm in Alirajpur alongside a traditional plough and several farmers who are trying it out are pleased with it.
Farmers Shankar and Mukesh Parmar who were among those who tried the new plough said,
“We have to give only 25% of the effort needed in a traditional plough. We are ready to purchase and use this in our farm. The government should give a subsidy for the plough.”
Alirajpur collector Ganesh Shankar Mishra said, “It is a great effort by the boys. They have brought alive the 700 yearold European heavy plough. The rich farmer can afford tractors, but it is the marginal farmer who will benefit from his new plough. We plan to commercially manufacture and sell it.”
Collector Mishra said that it costs around ₹1,500 to make a traditional plough made out of wood, while the Alirajpur plough costs around ₹3,500, but it last much longer and there is no need for maintenance, which is needed for the traditional wooden plough.
Impressed by the working of the plough, Krishi Viygan Kendra, Alirajpur, research head I S Tomar said that the design of the Alirajpur plough reduces the burden by up to 75 % and digs the soil much deeper than the traditional plough.
“Its output is something between that of a traditional plough and tractor, which is too expensive even to take on rent for a marginal farmer. Its use will prove hugely beneficial to the farmer,” Tomar said.