from farming. Compared to the other major rice producing areas in the state cultivation costs are found to be higher in Kuttanad and the difference is mainly due to higher costs on human labour. By adopting a positive approach to mechanization of farming activities the mounting cost of cultivation can be lessened and the problem of labour shortage can be reduced to a great extent. It is estimated that nearly 45 percent of costs on human labour is incurred for harvesting. By using compo site harvesting machines much money and time can be saved. While in manual harvesting nearly 30 percent of the product is lost in the process, ab bharvesting machine takes only 20 to 40 minutes to harvest an acre of paddy crop without any waste. Aerial spraying of insecticides is also found to be more effective and economical. Time saving devices are of great importance in a region like Kuttanad where the geographic and climatic constraints restrict the span of cropping season to a very limited period. Thus mechanization should be given top priority in all the further efforts towards the development of paddy cultivation in this region.
