H. S. VijaykumarMangala V. Patil2017-03-062017-03-06http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810004245This study entitled “Estimation of demand for partial mechanization in agricultural operations in North Karnataka” is aimed to estimate the demand for agricultural machineries in North Karnataka. For the study, primary data collected in year 2011-12 were used to analyze the knowledge gap about the available machineries, cost and returns structure between farmers who used more machineries/implements and less machineries/implements for cultivation. The study throws light on the effect of use of machines on income and to help in decision making for farmers in selection of implements suitable for them. Further, financial feasibility analysis was carried out for implements for highly efficient machine for each operation to recommend them to the target farmers. Demand for machineries and investment required thereof in study area, i.e., Belgaum, Raichur and Haveri districts with respect to sugarcane, paddy and cotton cultivation was estimated. It was observed that, there was significant reduction in the operational cost due to higher mechanization. In sugarcane cultivation, 6.05 per cent less cost was incurred on operation cost by more mechanized respondents over less mechanized respondents. In cotton cultivation, more mechanized respondents incurred 3.50 per cent less cost on operational cost compared to less mechanized respondents. In paddy cultivation there was 7.27 per cent reduction on operational costs by more mechanized farmers compared to less mechanized respondents. It was observed that huge demand for power tillers, plant setters, weeding machines, sprayers and harvesters exist in Belgaum district with respect to sugarcane cultivation. Demand for power tillers, weeding machines and sprayers exist in Haveri district with respect to cotton cultivation and demand for paddy transplanters, weeding machines and harvesters exist in Raichur district with respect to paddy cultivation. The results thus confirming the existence of gap in use of machineries and huge scope for investment in agriculture implement sector.ennullThesis