Status of Farm Mechanization in Maize Farming at Deukhuri Valley of Nepal

Farm mechanization plays a pivotal role in increasing productivity. It helps to enhance efficiency, reduce labour costs and optimize resource use in agricultural operations. A field survey was conducted in the Dang district of the Lumbini province in Nepal to assess the current state of mechanization in maize cultivation and its profitability. Using a simple random sampling technique, 95 maize cultivators were personally interviewed to collect primary data. Focus group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) were also conducted for primary data collection. Secondary data were obtained through a review of the relevant literature. Data were collected and meticulously entered and analysed using MS Excel and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 23.0) employing descriptive statistics. The study revealed that farm mechanization was prominent in land preparation (97% of farmers using machinery) and threshing (77% of farmers using machinery), although only 48% of farmers used machinery for seed sowing and 11% for intercultural operations. Importantly, maize harvesting is entirely manual, as no efficient harvesting machinery is available. The cost of operations was significantly reduced by mechanization, with farmers using machinery spending less on land preparation, sowing, intercultural operations, and threshing than those relying on manual labour. This study also highlighted the strengths of mechanization, such as time savings, reduced labour costs, and ease of operation. However, challenges such as the high cost of machinery, limited access to credit, and insufficient availability of custom hiring centres are major barriers. Overall, this study underscores the need for better financial support and the development of suitable technologies to increase mechanization efficiency, particularly in harvesting, and improve the livelihoods of maize farmers in the region.