Assessment of Factors Influencing Farm Implement Purchase and Constraints Faced by Farmers in Kachchh District, Gujarat, India

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to analyse the factors influencing farmers’ purchase decisions and the problems faced in the purchase of farm implements in the Kachchh district of Gujarat. A descriptive research design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 200 tractor-owning farmers selected purposively from 20 villages across Anjar, Bhuj, Bhachau, and Mundra talukas from December 2025 to March 2026. Secondary data were obtained from published reports and official sources. Percentage and tabular analyses were employed to examine the socio-economic characteristics of farmers and the ownership pattern of tractors and farm implements, while the Weighted Average Mean (WAM) technique was used to identify key purchase factors, influential promotional tools and major constraints. The findings revealed that the majority of farmers were middle-aged, belonged to small and marginal farm categories and possessed moderate levels of income. Ownership of farm implements was largely concentrated in primary and secondary tillage implements. Price/affordability, durability and field performance emerged as the most critical purchase attributes, while field demonstrations, word of mouth and dealer recommendations were the most effective promotional tools. High initial cost, lack of finance and high repair and operating costs were the most severe constraints. The study concludes that improving access to institutional credit, strengthening after-sales support services and promoting demonstration-based extension activities can facilitate wider adoption of farm implements and enhance the level of farm mechanisation in the region.