Farmers turn to laser-guided levelling amid water crisis
A precise land preparation technique that uses a laser-guided scraper to create a uniform surface with a consistent slope has emerged as a boon for farmers in this belt of Malwa, an area considered among the worst affected by groundwater depletion over the past decades.
Normally carried out at an additional cost of Rs 1,000–1,500 per acre, depending on the nature and condition of the fields, the process improves water management, crop establishment and the efficiency of fertilisers and pesticides, while also boosting overall crop productivity.
Hoshiar Singh Ranu, a progressive farmer from Ranwan village, asserted that the overall productivity of Rabi and Kharif crops had improved significantly since he began preparing his fields using laser technology.
“While owners of large landholdings normally purchase their own equipment, we prefer to have the levelling done on a hire basis,” said Ranu, adding that professionals typically charge Rs 800–900 per hour for working on fields requiring normal levelling. On average, one acre of land is levelled at a cost of Rs 1,250.
Bhupinder Singh Bhinda, another farmer from Jhuner village, endorsed the view, stating that cultivators hiring land on rent prefer fields levelled with tilling laser-guided scrapers over ordinary fields due to the obvious benefits in crop productivity.
“Besides other factors contributing to crop productivity, the overturning of subsoil due to intensive tilling and scraping increases the yield of almost all crops, as more nutrients become available for crop growth and maturation,” said Bhupinder Singh Bhinda.
Farmers argue that laser-guided scraping has become the need of the hour, given the significant deterioration of the water table. Studies have indicated a substantial decline in groundwater levels, with some areas experiencing a drop of over a metre annually. The decline is primarily attributed to over-extraction for industrial purposes and the irrigation of water-intensive crops such as paddy.
Studies further point out that only 17 out of the 150 blocks in the state can be classified as safe in terms of groundwater levels. Currently, four blocks are rated as critical, while 15 fall into the semi-critical category.
How does the laser-guided scraper work?
A laser transmitter emits a rotating laser beam, which is detected by a receiver mounted on a scraper-equipped tractor. The scraper then adjusts its position based on the laser beam, ensuring that the field is levelled to the desired slope—usually less than 0.02 per cent.
