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'As commercialization of agriculture grew in intensity in the mid-to-late 19th century the British Raj and the local legislatures and provinces began investing in agricultural development through support and establishment agricultural research farms and colleges and large-scale irrigation schemes yet the level of mechanization was low at the time of independence in 1947. The socialist oriented five year plans of the 1950s and 60s aggressively promoted rural mechanization via joint ventures and tie-ups between local industrialists and international tractor manufacturers. Despite this aggressiveness the first three decades after independence local production of 4-wheel tractors grew slowly. Yet, by the late 1980s tractor production was nearly 140,000 units per year and by the late 1990s with production approaching 270,000 per year, India overtook the United States as the world's largest producer of four-wheel tractors with over 16 national and 4 multi-national corporations producing tractors today. Despite these impressive numbers FAO statistics estimate that of total agricultural area in India, less than 50% is under mechanized land preparation, indicating large opportunities still exist for agricultural mechanization.<ref>The following annotated time line borrows exclusively from a presentation by Gajendra Singh's presentation at the Tropical Agricultural Association et al. November 1999 conference "The Tractor Factor - Ploughing a road out of poverty" and whose full presentation be found at http://www.taa.org.uk/southeast/Singh.htm </ref> ==1945 to 1960== War surplus tractors and bulldozers were imported for land reclamation and cultivation in mid 1940s. In 1947 central and state tractor organizations were set up to develop and promote the supply and use of tractors in agriculture and up to 1960, the demand was met entirely through imports. There were 8,500 tractors in use in 1951, 20,000 in 1955 and 37,000 by 1960. ==1961 to 1970== Local production began in 1961 with five manufacturers producing a total of 880 units per year. By 1965 this had increased to over 5000 units per year and the total in use had risen to over 52,000. By 1970 annual production had exceeded 20,000 units with over 146,000 units working in the country. ==1971 to 1980== Six new manufacturers were established during this period although three companies (Kirloskar Tractors, Harsha Tractors and Pittie Tractors) did not survive. HMT, a large public sector unit, began manufacturing Agricultural Tractors in 1972 under the HMT brand name with technology acquired from [[Zetor]] of the Czech Republic. Escorts Ltd. began local manufacture of Ford tractors in 1971 in collaboration with Ford, UK and total production climbed steadily to 33,000 in 1975 ==1981 to 1990=== A further five manufacturers began production during this period but only one of these survived in the increasingly competitive market place. Annual production exceeded 75,000 units by 1985 and reached 140,000 in 1990 when the total in use was about 1.2 million. Then India - a net importer up to the mid-seventies - became an exporter in the 1980s mainly to countries in Africa. ==1991 to 1997== Since 1992, it has not been necessary to obtain an industrial license for tractor manufacture in India. By 1997 annual production exceeded 255,000 units and the national tractor population had passed the two million mark. India now emerged as one of the world leaders in wheeled tractor production. ==1997 to 1999== {{unsourced-section|date=December 2012}} Five new manufacturers have started production since 1997. In 1998 Bajaj Tempo, already well established in the motor industry, began tractor production in Pune. In April of the same year New Holland Tractor (India) Ltd launched production of 70&nbsp;hp tractors with matching equipment. The company is making a $US 75 million initial investment in a state-of-the-art plant at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh state with an initial capacity of 35000 units per year. Larsen and Toubro have established a joint venture with [[John Deere]], USA for the manufacture of 35-65&nbsp;hp tractors at a plant in Pune, Maharashtra and Greeves Ltd will produce tractors under similar arrangements with [[Deutz-Fahr]] of Italy. Looking to South American export markets Mahindra and Mahindra are also developing a joint venture with Case for tractors in the 60-200&nbsp;hp range. Total annual production was forecast to reach 300,000 during the following year. ==1999 to Present== Facing market saturation in the traditional markets of the north west (Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh) tractors sales began a slow and slight decline. By 2002 sales went below 200,000. Manufacturers scrambled to push into eastern and southern India markets in an attempt to reverse the decline, and began exploring the potential for overseas markets. Sales remained in a slump, and added to the market saturation problems also came increased problems of "prestige" loan defaults, where farmers who were not financially able took tractors in moves to increase their families prestige. There are also reported increased misuse of these loans for buying either lifestyle goods, or for social functions. Government and private banks have both tightened their lending for this sector adding to the industry and farmers woes. By 2004 a slight up tick in sales once again due to stronger and national and to some extent international markets. But by 2006 sales once again were down to 216,000 and now in 2007-08 have slid further to just over 200,000. ==Tractor Manufacturers Association== The Tractor Manufacturers' Association of India (TMA) is housed under The [[Confederation of Indian Industry]] (CII), New Delhi. Though not all manufacturers are members TMA is recognized as the main trade group representing the agricultural tractor industry in India. Avinash Patankar, Sr. Vice President of Mahindra Farm Division is the current President of TMA. ==Current Manufacturers of Tractors in India== ===Angad Tractors=== {{main|SAS Motors Limited}} ===Balwan Tractors, Force Motors Ltd === {{main|Force Motors Ltd}} Formerly known as Bajaj Tempo Ltd. until 2005, Force Motors Ltd., makers of India's ubiquitous 3-wheeler Tempos since 1957 in a collaboration with Vidal & Sohn Tempo Werke, Germany. In 1999 began production of '''Ox''' and Ox 45 Brand Tractors both which incorporated transmission technology from the German manufacturer ZF. Additional line '''Balwan''' was introduced in 2004 and between the lines Force Motors offers a line of two-wheel and four-wheel tractors in a horsepower range from 10 to 50 HP.<ref>[http://www.forcemotors.com/index.aspx ::: Welcome Force Motors :::<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In India BALWAN 600 launched shortly. It has a 60&nbsp;HP engine. Balwan Tractors are one of the good tractors in India for agricultural purposes. They have a Benz engine. ===Captain Tractors Pvt. Ltd=== Founded in May 1994 and located in Rajkot, India, Captain Tractors manufactures mini-tractors under the Captain brand. <ref>http://www.captainminitractor.com/</ref> ===Crossword Agro Industries=== Located in Rajkot, India, Crossword manufactures small tractors under the Nissan, Atmak and Captain brand names. .<ref>http://www.crosswordagro.com/</ref> ===Eicher=== {{main|Eicher Motors}} In 1949, Eicher GoodEarth, was set up in India with technical collaboration with Gebr. Eicher a of Germany, imported and sold about 1500 tractors in India. On April 24, 1959 Eicher came out with the first locally assembled tractor from its Faridabad factory and in a period from 1965 to 1974 became the first fully manufactured (100% indigenization) tractor in India. In December, 1987 Eicher Tractors went public and in June, 2005 Eicher Motors Limited sold Eicher Tractors & Engines to a subsidiary of TAFE called [[TAFE Tractors|TAFE Motors and Tractors Limited]]. Eicher also produced tractors under the '''Euro Power''' and '''Eicher Valtra''' brands under license from [[Valtra]], an [[AGCO]] brand.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000307/biz.htm#7 The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Business<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Escorts=== {{main|Escorts Group}} Escorts began local manufacture of Ford tractors in 1971 in collaboration with Ford, UK and total production climbed steadily to 33,000 in 1975, reaching 71,000 by 1980. Ford (Ford - New Holland) was sold in 1992. Ford Motor Company proper quit the tractors business, but the name was allowed to continue as per agreement until 2000, when Escorts relabeled its Ford models under the Escort brand. Escort manufactures produces construction and agriculture tractors in the 27-75 HP range and has already sold over 600,000 tractors. Its tractors are marketed under three brand names, '''Escort, Powertrac''' and '''Farmtrac'''. ===Farmer Tractor=== Based in Rajkot, Gujarat, Farmer Tractor is production the '''Farmer Tractor''' DI 1200, using a Greaves four stroke, direct injection, 12 HP diesel engine. <ref>http://www.preetagro.com/</ref> ===HMT Tractors=== {{main|Hindustan Machine Tools}} HMT is a large public sector unit and began manufacturing Agricultural Tractors in 1972 under the HMT brand name with technology acquired from [[Zetor]] of the [[Czech Republic]]. It manufactures its tractors in [[Pinjore]], [[Panchkula]] in a large factory that also manufactures machine-tools, and [[Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh|Hyderabad]] It has a capacity of 20,000 tractors per annum. In the Machine-tool company is a large foundry. It produces tractors in a range from 25 HP to 75 HP. HMT has also exported tractors to the USA under the Zebra brand, which were marketed by Zetor distributors and dealers there. The company is controlled by the Ministry of Heavy industry that provides to the public its financial performance. ===Indo Farm=== Founded in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, India in 1999, Indo Farms builds tractors in the 33 to 90 hp ranges. company is also manufacturing 9 to 18 ton cranes and 15 to 50 kv silent gen sets. Ursus Poland is its technical partners. The company is exporting their products to many countries and their manufacturing is fully computerizaed.Indo farm tractors are proven to be the most fuel efficient and the best in class for its pulling power.<ref>http://www.indofarm.in</ref> ===John Deere=== {{main| Deere & Company}}The company has a very good Marketing network across India having 13 area offices and around 225 dealers. In 2000, John Deere set up production in a joint venture with [[Larsen & Toubro]] Ltd in [[Sanaswadi]], in a rural area near [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]]. It was known as ''L&T John Deere Private Ltd'', and manufactured tractors under the '''L&T - John Deere''' name for sale in India, and under the '''John Deere''' name for worldwide sales.<ref>[http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/10/08/stories/06080008.htm The Hindu : L&T-John Deere's Pune facility<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>http://www.deere.com/en_US/compinfo/media/pdf/publications/jd_journal/archives/fall_2001.pdf</ref> In 2005, Deere & Company acquired nearly all the remaining shares in this joint venture. The new enterprise, is known as ''John Deere Equipment Private Limited''. The factory currently produces tractors in of 35, 38, 40, 42,45, 50, 55, 65, 75 and 89 HP capacities for domestic markets and for export to the USA, Mexico, Turkey, North and South Africa, and South East Asia. Pune factory started to produce new 55 to 75 Hp 5003 series tractors for European market in 2008. John Deere India Private Limited is a subsidiary of Deere & Company, USA in India. Its factory, located at Sanaswadi, Pune, manufactures 5000 Series agricultural tractors. The Indian operations of Deere & Company include a technology center located at Magarpatta City Pune and John Deere Water Vadodara. The technology center provides services in the areas of Information technology, engineering, supply management, embedded systems and technical authoring for company’s operations world wide. John Deere Water, formed by the acquisitions of Plastro Irrigation Systems, T-Systems International, and Roberts Irrigation Products. ===Mahindra Gujarat Tractor Limited (MGTL)=== ''Main Article'' [[Mahindra Gujarat]] The company was originally incorporated in the state of [[Gujarat]] in 1964 with technical collaboration with Motokov-Praha of Czechoslovakia as ''Gujarat Tractor Corporation Ltd''. It was taken over by [[Mahindra & Mahindra Limited]] on 17 December 1999 (holds 60% equity) and re-christened ''Mahindra Gujarat Tractor Ltd'' as part of [[Mahindra Group]]. The company is engaged in manufacturing of tractors in a range of '''30-60'''&nbsp;hp which are marketed under '''Shaktimaan''' brand.<ref>[http://www.mahindragujarat.com/products.html mahindra gujarat tractor<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> They were previously marketed under the '''Mahindra Gujarat''' name, and before that the ''''''Hindustan'''''' name. Mahindra & Mahindra has now incorporated the Shaktimaan Brand of Tractors of Mahindra Gujarat Tractor Limited (MGTL) as its subsidiary, and is manufacturing its 30 HP and 35 HP Models at its own plant at Nagpur, which are marketed by MGTL. For the other models, only the Engines are manufactured at MGTL plant, and the Transmissions are manufactured by M&M itself. Strict Quality Control is maintained by M&M. The Vadodara plant has also been renovated and modern assembly systems have been installed there. Mahindra Gujarat Tractor Limited '''(MGTL)''' has its Head Office at ''''''Vadodara'''''' (formerly Baroda), Gujarat. '''Sri S.O. Tyagi''' is the Head- MGTL, and '''Sri Rattan Singh''' is the General Manager (Marketing). '''MGTL is an ISO 9001:2008 and OHSAS18001:2007 certified company''' The company has a very good Marketing network across India having 13 area offices and around 225 dealers. ===Mars Group=== Originally established in 1976, the MARS Group is engaged in manufacturing/marketing of dump trucks, loaders, foggers, and agricultural tractors and attachments. Based in Lucknow, U.P., it began manufacturing two mini-tractor models under the Marshal name in 2005, Captain DI 2600 of 25 HP and Trishul MT DI 625 10 HP. <ref>http://www.marsgroup.co.in/tractor.html</ref> ===New Holland=== {{main|New Holland Ag}} New Holland Ag's entry into India was facilitated by FIAT's acquisition of Ford-New Holland in 1991. By 1998 New Holland Ag. (India) completed the construction of a new plant in Noida, near New Delhi, with a capacity of 5000 tractors in the 35 - 75&nbsp;hp range. In 1999, New Holland Ag.'s parent company FIAT bought 70% of holdings of Case Corporation and created Case New Holland Global (CNH one of the top three tractor/agricultural/construction machinery manufacturers in the world), the new holding company New Holland Ag. (India). In 2000, the capacity of the Noida plant rose to 12,000 tractors per year and in 2007 the company manufactured 24,000 tractors for the domestic and export markets. New Holland India exports fully built tractors to 51 countries in Africa, Australia, South-East Asia, West Asia, North America and Latin America. The India plant of New Holland was originally built in 1998 to cater only to India domestic market. However due to slow down of economy by year 2001-2002 and slump in domestic demand, it became a challenge to utilize the installed capacity of the factory. Hence the company started looking its market beyond India borders. Its then CEO Mario Gasparri guided the vision and handed over the task of overseas business to its manager Bhanu Sharma. The efforts paid off well. Bhanu Sharma in capacity of Head-International Business Operations, took op the export volumes from the level of almost nil in 2003 to 8000 units in year 2007. The export business last year in 2007 contributed over 50% of the company business of total USD 250 millions. This also made New Holland the second largest tractor exporter from India after John Deere. In year 2007, India exported around 32,000 tractors of which 25% share was of New Holland. ===Preet Tractors=== Preet Agro began manufacturing tractors in 2002 at Nabha, Punjab, India. They currently manufacture in the 35-70 hp range. <ref>http://www.preetagro.com/</ref> === Sonalika (International Tractors Ltd.) === {{main|Sonalika Tractors}} '''International Tractors Limited''' was incorporated on October 17, 1995 and began manufacturing tractors designed by Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI). Its engines were initially designed on the successful HMT brand of engines, and gearbox as per PTL design. ITL currently is manufacturing '''Sonalika''' tractors between 18 HP to 90 HP, and the '''Renault CERES''' brand between 60HP to 90HP. ITL went into collaboration with [[Renault|Renault Agricultural]] of France in July 2000. Renault Agriculture is a subsidiary of the [[Renault]] Group. Renault Agriculture was bought by [[CLAAS]] of Germany in 2003. Incidentally CLAAS already has a strong presence in India market producing its Crop Tiger range of Combine Harvesters in a plant in [[Faridabad]] (near [[New Delhi]]) since 1992. CLAAS opened a new plant in Punjab at Morinda in 2006. Sonalika is now having collaboration with [[Yanmar]], and raised its production to 200 tractors per day. ===Standard=== '''Standard Combine''' began building tractors in [[Barnala]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]], India. In '''Standard Tractors''', tractors are being manufactured in the range of 35, 45, 50, 60, and 75 HP with respective model names: Standard 335, Standard 345, Standard 450, Standard 460, and Standard 475. Engines for all these tractor models, except the last one, are manufactured within the plant as ‘Standard Engines’, in specific names – SE 335, SE 345, SE 450 and SE 460, respectively. All the above-mentioned models of Standard Engines have shown compliance to the TREM-III emission norms, as have been verified by the ARAI. However, two new variants of tractor of 35&nbsp;hp (Standard 335-I) and 45&nbsp;hp (Standard 345-I), equipped with famous [[Perkins Engines Company Limited|Perkins]] engines (assembled within the Standard Tractors plant), and two completely new models of tractor of 30&nbsp;hp (Standard 330) and 40&nbsp;hp (Standard 340) are on the verge to be launched. Besides these, three 3-wheelers (two passenger-carriers and one cargo), one 4-wheeler (cargo), a crane, an electric 3-wheeled mini-car, and two 2-wheelers (scooters) are either in the process of development or on the verge of launch from the Standard Tractor Division.<ref>[http://www.standardtractor.com/ :::::: - Standard - ::::::<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===TAFE=== {{main|TAFE Tractors}} '''Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE)''' was established in 1961 to manufacture and market [[Massey Ferguson]] tractors and related farm equipment in India. [[AGCO]], the owner of Massey Ferguson, now owns 24% of TAFE. Tractors are built and sold in India under both the '''TAFE''' and '''Massey Ferguson''' brands, and exported under both brands as well. In 2005, [[TAFE Tractors|TAFE]] bought the [[Eicher Motors]] tractor and engine division.<ref>[http://www.tafe.com Tafe : Home<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>http://www.ndtv.com/money/showbusinessstory.asp?slug=TAFE+adds+Eicher+to+its+booty&id=25302</ref> ===VST Tillers=== VST Tillers was set up in 1965 in [[Bangalore]], [[India]]. In collaboration with [[Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery]] of [[Japan]], they manufacture 18HP tractors under various brands, including '''Mitsubishi-Shakti''', '''Shakti'', '''Eurotrac-VST''' and '''Euro-Trac'''. They have been exported to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the USA.<ref>[http://www.vsttillers.com/ :: Vst Tillers Tractors Ltd<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Previous Indian Tractor Companies== Tractor companies that did not survive and were not acquired by other companies are: ===Auto Tractors Ltd., Pratapgarh=== Had manufacturing plant at Pratapgarh (U.P.) and were making tractors with Leyland engines. ===Asian Tractors Ltd=== Began building tractors in 1989 from their own designs.<ref name=autogenerated2>[http://www.taa.org.uk/southeast/Singh.htm Report<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Ford Tractors=== {{See also|Fordson tractor}} {{main|New Holland Ag}} Ford (formerly Ford Tractor Division) began producing Ford Tractors in India in 1972 with a tie up with Escorts. In 1986 Ford acquired [[New Holland Ag|New Holland]] and tractor operations was transferred to Ford-New Holland and made into an independent corporation. In 1991, [[Fiat]] began an arranged purchase of Ford-New Holland that was completed in 1993, ending Ford Motor Company's long history of tractor production. The deal required that New Holland/FIAT stop using the Ford name. New Holland India Pvt began production of tractors in India in 1998.<ref>[http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_n/new_holland_india/19990321new_holland_india.html domain-b.com : New Holland expanding aggressively<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Harsha Tractors=== In 1975, '''Harsha Tractors''' Ltd began manufacturing tractors in conjunction with ''Motoimport'' of [[Russia]].<ref name=autogenerated2 /> Tractor production never amounted to much, and has since ceased. ===Haryana Tractors Ltd=== As a part of ''Pratap Steel Rolling Mills Ltd.'', '''Haryana''' began building tractors from their own designs in 1983.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> ===Kirloskar Tractors=== {{see also|Kirloskar Group}} Founded in cooperation with [[Klochner-Humboldt Deutz|Deutz-Fahr]] of [[Germany]] in 1974.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> It has since ceased to manufacture tractors. However, the company continues to manufacture engines under license from ''Deutz''. ===Pittie Tractors=== '''Pittie Tractors''' was set up by a young and dynamic engineer - Shrikant Pittie and started out as Pittie Tools. The Pittie family are prominent industrialists in Pune and the family set up the first private industry in Pune - The Raja Bahadur Motilal Poona Mills Ltd. in 1893. Pittie Tractors indigenously developed and manufactured tractors and was well set to capture a large share of the market in India. However, due to an unfortunate labor strike at one of its critical vendors, followed by a similar strike at its own plant, the company lost nearly a year of production. As a result, the company fell into financial difficulty and ultimately had to wind-up operations. ===United Auto Tractors Ltd.=== Began in 1986 in conjunction with ''Uzina Tractorul'' of [[Romania]].<ref name=autogenerated2 /> ==See also== * [[List of tractor manufacturers]] - Worldwide list * [[List of former tractor manufacturers]] - Worldwide list *[http://www.mahindragujarat.com Mahindra Gujarat] ==References== {{Reflist|2}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Tractors In India}} [[Category:Tractor manufacturers of India]] [[Category:Agriculture in India]] [[Category:Tractors]]'