Escorts Kubota Limited introduced a new combine harvester model in Punjab and Haryana on September 17, designed to provide farmers with alternatives to stubble burning while improving rice harvesting efficiency. The PRO588i-G harvester incorporates Japanese technology aimed at addressing air pollution concerns in North India.
The machine cuts crop stalks near ground level rather than higher up like conventional harvesters, allowing farmers to collect the full length of straw for use as cattle feed or in biomass plants. This approach provides farmers with additional revenue streams from crop residue that would otherwise be burned in fields.
The harvester features a threshing mechanism developed in Japan that reduces breakage of Basmati rice grains during processing. Grain breakage has been a persistent issue with conventional harvesting equipment, affecting the market value and export potential of the premium rice variety.
At 2,700 kilograms, the new harvester weighs significantly less than conventional models that typically weigh around 9,000 kilograms. The reduced weight minimizes soil compaction, potentially lowering land preparation costs for subsequent crop cycles. The machine includes crawler tracks for operation in wet field conditions.
"Our new Kubota combine harvester offers more profit potential to farmers and can help address air pollution in North India," said Nikhil Nanda, Chairman and Managing Director of Escorts Kubota Limited.
Akira Kato, Deputy Managing Director, described the launch as part of the company's strategy to introduce precision farming solutions that increase productivity and meet sustainability goals.
Escorts Kubota Limited operates as an engineering conglomerate with over 80 years of experience in agricultural and construction equipment manufacturing. The company produces tractors under the Farmtrac, Powertrac, and Kubota brands, along with other agricultural machinery and construction equipment.
Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana has been identified as a major contributor to air pollution in North India, particularly during harvest seasons when smoke from burning fields affects air quality in the Delhi region and surrounding areas.