A number of farmers are using tractors equipped with air-conditioners and gadgets like cameras 
and phone chargers. Gurdeep Singh Mann reports from Fatehgarh Sahib 

YOUNG farmers of this historical town have brought about a change in the traditional ways of farming by introducing tractors fitted with air-conditioners and other modern gadgets. As Amritraj at a sleepy village of Bhamarsi of Sirhind lowers the lever of his tractor, he decides it to call a day. Before alighting from his huge machinery, he switches off the AC.

Proud owner of an AC-fitted tractor, Amritraj now has more reasons to go ploughing and tilling his land than before. "I actually look forward to next day to work on my AC-fitted tractor. My productivity and willingness to work in the fields has increased," says a jubilant Amritraj.

He works for more than eight to nine hours a day. Owner of 30 acres, Amritraj recently also took around 70 acres on contract. An advocate-turned-farmer, Amritraj felt that to plough around 100 acres, it was important for him to feel at ease.

Having bought John Deere 75 BHP, this progressive farmer decided that adding an AC fitment to it would not only enhance the comfort level but also strike gold with the productivity. He spent Rs 8 lakh on the heavy duty tractor and another Rs 1 lakh on getting an AC installed.

Unlike Amritraj, Kuldeep Singh from Sangatpura village in Bassi Pathana has got an AC installed in his old tractor.

"When we used to deliver sugarcane yield in the grain markets, we had no option but to take a car along with the tractor. The car was meant to provide us some rest. I then decided to get an AC installed in my tractor," says Kuldeep, who own 25 acres.

Both Amritraj and Kuldeep got ACs installed in their tractors from a local mechanic. Amritraj has gone a step ahead and decided to install moveable mobile camera at the rear of tractor, which could also be fitted on loaded trolleys.

Cameras will have magnets that can be fixed with any part of the trolley or tractor. The tractor driver can see images on the screen fixed in his AC-fitted compartment. "The camera would help the driver in keeping an eye on vehicles coming from behind," he reasons.

His heavy-duty new tractor is helpful in growing potatoes. For potatoes, one needs to plough deep and strong suspensions help in it. Heavy duty means more mileage and easier for an AC to operate. Besides AC, his tractor also has facility to charge a mobile phone and enough space for keeping water bottles.

Initially the idea of buying an expensive tractor did not go down very well with the elders in the family. "They felt I was being spendthrift. But after one ride in my tractor, their opinion changed," he chuckles.

According to Kuldeep, adding the simple cooling equipment saved him from inhaling rice husk, pesticides and dust, which was common during the harvest. He no longer needed to tie a cloth around his mouth nor cover his face. "Our neck, eyes and ears would get filled with mud and dust. Many of us needed medication during the sowing season. But now with AC-fitted tractors, it is quite easy during sowing and harvest season", he adds.

Unlike Amritraj’s tractor, where only a driver can sit inside the cabin, Kuldeep’s cabin is very spacious and five persons can sit together at a time. Both Kuldeep and Amritraj even lend their tractors to their relatives now. "Everyday, when I go out with my tractor, I’m flooded with queries. There are many farmers in nearby villages who want to add the same facility in their tractors," says a beaming Kuldeep.

Amritraj, who has become more of an icon for the youth in his village, says, "Thanks to the new technology, the youngsters who shirked from sweating it out in the fields want to work there now."

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