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The Introduction of New Maize and Forage Harvesters

Through the introduction of new maize and forage harvesters, German automotive major CLAAS India is looking to expand its footprint in the country. Both harvesters are in their design stages and they would be customized to suit Indian needs.

Out of the total market of around 4,500 harvesters, the company have present sells around 1,000 combine harvesters annually. Now in the near future it plans to expand its annually capacity by another 500 units.

Claas India Managing Director, Mrityunjaya Singh said, “Most of the new machines would be made from the existing Morinda plant near Mohali where we have the facility to scale up our production to 2000 units per year.” The new maize and forage harvesters are already sold globally, but to suit Indian local conditions and needs the company would customize it.

Singh said, “In India, the distance between rows in maize fields is less while the requirement also varies depending upon their use like some want maize with skins while others want them without skins. Hence, our harvester has to adapt to all these Indian requirements.”

He said, since government’s emphasis on driving maize cultivation in place of paddy as a part of crop diversification initiative in northern India, the maize harvester is expected to be a big product for the company.

With 2.5 meters to 3.2 meters of length, now the company is one of the major players in the combine harvester segment and sells harvesters. By just making a slight change in the cutter heads, it can be used to harvest wheat, rice, soybean, pulses, and isabgole (sago). The company also sells imported machines manufactured in its other facilities like rice trans planters from Korea.

Singh said, “The rental model is driving up mechanization in India which is why we need to have machines which can work for longer hour.”

Through maize and forage harvesters, the company has been present in India for the past 25 years first through a joint venture with Escorts and later as an individual entity, wants to make a big splash.

Officials said that a maize harvester is expected to be priced at around 30 lakh and above, while a forage harvester is expected to cost around Rs 2 crore.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/