Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, 11-04-2024: Agricultural girls staff defending themselves from scorching solar by sporting scarfs and shirts in a discipline in Vijayawada on Thursday. Photo: Giri KVS/ The Hindu
| Photo Credit: GIRI KVS
Simpson & Co. Ltd. (Simpsons), a unit of the Amalgamations Group, is gearing up to electrify its sensible agriculture machines referred to as energy weeders for farm mechanisation.
“Four months ago, we launched Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) petrol version of power weeders in the 5.5-8 HP in select few markets such as Tamil Nadu, U.P., M.P. and Bihar,” stated a prime official.
“While the battery is procured from Honda, the rest is developed in-house. We are getting good response and we will go pan-India soon. Post subsidy, these machines cost ₹70,000 and ₹1,10,000 respectively,” he stated.
Following the success of the petrol engine model, Simpsons plans to introduce an electrical model and the prototypes are being readied. However, it’s too early to discuss in regards to the launch date, stated a supply.
Going ahead, the corporate will supply energy weeders each in ICE petrol and electrical model.
The motors and controllers for e-power weeders is probably to be produced in-house, whereas batteries shall be manufactured by the group affiliate agency Bimetal Bearings Ltd. at Hosur.
Currently, Simpsons is the main producer of high-performance diesel engines starting from 15 to 95 HP. Annually, it manufactures greater than 1,75,000 diesel engines for practically 200 functions equivalent to agricultural, industrial, marine, retail and energy technology serving each home and export markets.
“Typically, weeders are used by those having farm houses or land below one acre, while tillers are preferred by those having one to five acres. We are trying to improve the livelihood of micro farmers by developing cost-effective weeders and at the same time to substitute the imported machines,” stated the supply.
The market dimension of energy weeder is estimated to be round ₹1,200 crore, whereas the equipment for various functions is one other ₹300 crore. Simpsons shall be hoping to seize 20-25% market share.
